Calais to Le Mans
Discussion
So, a group of us are heading down for the 24hrs (TVR Chimaera in "Aston Martin Green" + Triumph TR6 in "British Racing Green" + Porsche 997 Cab in "I'm boring, modern and German") again this year, and want to find the best compromise between an entertaining scenic route, and a route that won't take an age to actually get there.
I'm thinking of the A28 to just before Rouen, and then I draw a blank. Looking on the map, where's the N138 gone?! It seems to vanish into thin air just after Rouen.... Am I being really thick here? That said, the D438 looks to pretty much follow the A28 to Alencon. Hop on the D338 from there and you're on the road to Le Mans.
Better suggestions are very welcome, as are recommendations of places to stop off to let the cars cool down, and for us to take on some fine French frites.
I'm thinking of the A28 to just before Rouen, and then I draw a blank. Looking on the map, where's the N138 gone?! It seems to vanish into thin air just after Rouen.... Am I being really thick here? That said, the D438 looks to pretty much follow the A28 to Alencon. Hop on the D338 from there and you're on the road to Le Mans.
Better suggestions are very welcome, as are recommendations of places to stop off to let the cars cool down, and for us to take on some fine French frites.
This is what you are looking for, I think. We intend to follow the 'Robert le Diable' route in July for the Classic.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
After years of doing the quick but very boring Autoroute down to Le Mans we are naturally looking at a more atmospheric and relaxing route. I have read all the posts and threads showing the different ways down. Can any of you non-autorouters give me an idea of how long the journey takes? Say using the Autoroute to Rouen and then the D338 to Le Mans or taking the Amiens->Les Andelys->lunch->Evreux->Bonnetable->Le Mans way?
We usually allow 5 hours to Calais to Le Mans (avoiding silly speeds to stay out the BiB). Cheers guys.
We usually allow 5 hours to Calais to Le Mans (avoiding silly speeds to stay out the BiB). Cheers guys.
We take a convoy of MG Midget, Spitfire and MGB. Combined age pushing 120 and combined BHP less than most moderns blasting down the auto-route. Taking a 7am-ish ferry (on Thursday) which puts on the road by about 9.30AM french time, and with a couple of fuel stops and a decent lunch stop we're usually in Le Mans between 4 & 5. We follow basically that x-country route and it depends exactly how long we've had to tinker with one of them at the side of the road (!) aswell as the weather etc.
The drive down (and back) though is a key part for us. Great empty roads and a chance to give the cars a good blast.
The drive down (and back) though is a key part for us. Great empty roads and a chance to give the cars a good blast.
We have taken the route via Les Andelys and Evreaux a few times usually when we take the bikes and it is much more satisfying than the Auto route. I would concur with Deanox on the timing at around 7-8 hours dependant on the amount time taken for lunch which should not be rushed.
It is a good route with a few twisty parts and you only really need to look out for the gendarmes in the villages, the landscape for the most part is quite open and you can see a fair way into the distance.
It is a good route with a few twisty parts and you only really need to look out for the gendarmes in the villages, the landscape for the most part is quite open and you can see a fair way into the distance.
We will definately try a more cross country route this time. The only spanner in the works will be the usual 2 hours fiasco spent fannying around at 'City of Europe' trying to decide what brand of ketchup to buy..... I am voting for a more prepared food and booze shopping expedition this year and more time on the road enjoying the French countryside. 4 WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!
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