What is the journey time to Le man?
Discussion
What is the best route to drive up and what sort of drive time am I looking at?
No time like the present to get planning!
I need to know which ferry etc to book so best make sure I pick the right one for the best route... although the cheapest crossing may win..
as for camping I gather Houx is the better of the options!
No time like the present to get planning!
I need to know which ferry etc to book so best make sure I pick the right one for the best route... although the cheapest crossing may win..
as for camping I gather Houx is the better of the options!
20vt_mk2dub said:
What is the best route to drive up and what sort of drive time am I looking at?
No time like the present to get planning!
I need to know which ferry etc to book so best make sure I pick the right one for the best route... although the cheapest crossing may win..
as for camping I gather Houx is the better of the options!
We always take the tunnel which leaves a nice run in France, About 300miles which takes aprox 8hrs inc leisurely stops for dinner, beer, coffee(someone has to drive)etc etc. I think the best route is Rouan(likely mispell) tho Rouan is a bottle neck and can lose some time. The other way is Paris which tho further is mostly peage and so faster but more expensive. It's great to stop at roadside cafes and sit and watch the exotic motors roll past.(think Rouan has bypass open now.)
From Lincoln the total is 1000miles all in. We leave home at 5.00ish Thurs to catch 9.30am crossing. Arrive LeMans 18.00ish.This leaves Fri to chill
before the manic Sat/Sun. Traffic can get bad near LeMans especially to campsites.Return Mon morn tho a lot go on the sun night,must be knackering drive back at night! We have stayed in M,Blanche last couple of times, V close to the action but v loud. Sleep has never been a problem tho! Houx has better facilities but further to the track side. These internal sites are more secure than the outside ones, Theft can be a problem esp at the race finish time when the sites are deserted and the French gipsies scout round.
Thats our way, sure others will have alternative ideas, ENJOY.
D. Ps, French police will confiscate any radar detectors
and impose hefty fines. >> Edited by R TOY on Wednesday 14th December 00:14
Journey times vary - where are you driving from/which route are you taking/how fast do you drive!
On the Dover-Calais crossing you can take the Autoroutes more or less all the way this year. This is the most popular route, with drivers and French speed police. 400km/5-6 hours (flat). This isn't the only way from Calais though - French D roads (theoretical equivalent of UK B roads) are better than our A roads and quieter than the (hardly busy) Autoroutes. Get a map and have some fun.
At the other end of the spectrum the Portsmouth-Le Havre ferry gives the shortest French drive at 200km/3hr and offers up some great back roads (much more fun than motorways in my car). Take the over-night ferry with a cabin and even the drivers can have a few pints.
As for camping.
In style = Houx
In a group of friends = Maison Blanche
In a drunken hase = Houx Annex
In the back of beyond = Beausejour
>> Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 14th December 00:29
>> Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 14th December 00:31
On the Dover-Calais crossing you can take the Autoroutes more or less all the way this year. This is the most popular route, with drivers and French speed police. 400km/5-6 hours (flat). This isn't the only way from Calais though - French D roads (theoretical equivalent of UK B roads) are better than our A roads and quieter than the (hardly busy) Autoroutes. Get a map and have some fun.
At the other end of the spectrum the Portsmouth-Le Havre ferry gives the shortest French drive at 200km/3hr and offers up some great back roads (much more fun than motorways in my car). Take the over-night ferry with a cabin and even the drivers can have a few pints.
As for camping.
In style = Houx
In a group of friends = Maison Blanche
In a drunken hase = Houx Annex
In the back of beyond = Beausejour
>> Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 14th December 00:29
>> Edited by //j17 on Wednesday 14th December 00:31
//j17 said:Every time
This isn't the only way from Calais though - French D roads (theoretical equivalent of UK B roads) are better than our A roads and quieter than the (hardly busy) Autoroutes. Get a map and have some fun.
You'll not forget those roads all year long and with no police can be a little more liberal with the loud pedal, problem is with larger groups the time taken gets longer, with fuel, toilet and snack stops, factor about 10 hours for the drive.
We pick a medium-sized town halfway for lunch, this year is was Gisors, and head there - you can then enjoy the reception as the French kids give you the coffee beans hand sign (thankfully being a positive sign there!) and you stop whole villages in their tracks, great fun, can't wait unti next June
What every the journey time down - factor in that it'll take you at least half as long again coming back as pretty well everyone is leaving at the same time. The new road should make a difference this year but may well just end up as a long queue at the paege (sp?) as currently happens at the Alecon end!
20vt_mk2dub said:
What is the best route to drive up and what sort of drive time am I looking at?
No time like the present to get planning!
I need to know which ferry etc to book so best make sure I pick the right one for the best route... although the cheapest crossing may win..
as for camping I gather Houx is the better of the options!
seems you've had most of the info needed so not much more to add. Going to Calais on the Thursday morning, & back Monday evening as per this year.
The road trip is at least half the enjoyment of the trip ( even with the jams!)
Figure at least 6-7 hours or so at a relaxed but steady pace with stops.
Booked for Houx again ,as reserved numbered pitches means our space will be there waiting, and not hijacked by an olympic sized paddling pool !
also this route link may be useful:
www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/hme/MaHomePage.htm
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