Route through France
Discussion
Just bought missel a map of France (you know, the old paper things that pre-date sat nav and autoroute) and am contemplating the route darn Sarthe at the moment.
There's an obvious route down the motorways and then there's the old fashioned way down the A402 (used to be the N138) so does anyone know the pro's and cons of either and does anyone that's in our convoy have any personal preferences?
Then there's Rouen!
I can see a possible route round Rouen but I can't tell if it would actually be any faster, and it missed the big tunnels as well which is a downer. Again, any experience or preferences?
There's an obvious route down the motorways and then there's the old fashioned way down the A402 (used to be the N138) so does anyone know the pro's and cons of either and does anyone that's in our convoy have any personal preferences?
Then there's Rouen!
I can see a possible route round Rouen but I can't tell if it would actually be any faster, and it missed the big tunnels as well which is a downer. Again, any experience or preferences?
G,
This sounds like your first trip so maybe simplest is best. Use the autoroutes from Calais to north of Rouen (maybe 150 miles in all), go through Rouen, and then sort of west of Rouen pick up the autoroute (A28) to Le Mans (another 150 miles approx).
As for Rouen it is a test of faith. The signage is not the best so look for either Caen or Le Mans. You'll start north of Rouen by going through the tunnel and then after the tunnel and keeping the speed down, stick to the middle or right lane lane and watch after 1/2-3/4 mile the signs carefully...you're looking for a fairly sharp off road immediately after crossing the River Seine signposted Caen and/or Le Mans. Thereafter you travel through industrial areas and if you stick with it, after coming out of Rouen on the south side you'll still follow the signs for Caen and/or Le Mans and after joining the autoroute south of Rouen you'll be heading northwest for maybe 4-5 miles. Keep you're eyes peeled for Caen and/or Le Mans signs where you can either pick up the old N138 for Le Mans first or carry on and pick up the A28 autoroute for Le Mans.
I've done this journey nearly every year since 1996, without a map for the more recent years. It is easy except for Rouen and getting to the N138 or the A28. The trick with Rouen (IMHO)is to keep the speed down, have your eyes peeled for signs, and have faith..it may be a distance between them! You may have other Le Mans-ers near you but trust them to know the route at your peril!!
R.
This sounds like your first trip so maybe simplest is best. Use the autoroutes from Calais to north of Rouen (maybe 150 miles in all), go through Rouen, and then sort of west of Rouen pick up the autoroute (A28) to Le Mans (another 150 miles approx).
As for Rouen it is a test of faith. The signage is not the best so look for either Caen or Le Mans. You'll start north of Rouen by going through the tunnel and then after the tunnel and keeping the speed down, stick to the middle or right lane lane and watch after 1/2-3/4 mile the signs carefully...you're looking for a fairly sharp off road immediately after crossing the River Seine signposted Caen and/or Le Mans. Thereafter you travel through industrial areas and if you stick with it, after coming out of Rouen on the south side you'll still follow the signs for Caen and/or Le Mans and after joining the autoroute south of Rouen you'll be heading northwest for maybe 4-5 miles. Keep you're eyes peeled for Caen and/or Le Mans signs where you can either pick up the old N138 for Le Mans first or carry on and pick up the A28 autoroute for Le Mans.
I've done this journey nearly every year since 1996, without a map for the more recent years. It is easy except for Rouen and getting to the N138 or the A28. The trick with Rouen (IMHO)is to keep the speed down, have your eyes peeled for signs, and have faith..it may be a distance between them! You may have other Le Mans-ers near you but trust them to know the route at your peril!!
R.
No G,
Did it last year for the first time and took the motorway all the way down. Good crack with other LaManners but I was thinking A402 might be better, more interesting, more nostalgic, more easy to get lost probably. If it's an extra hour or so, that's not a problem but my experiences of travelling through France avoiding the motorways is that it's very time consuming so would make it a hell of a journey.
We went through Rouen last year as well. Traffic was a nightmare, hence wondering if anyone had ever tried to go round and what the merits of that are?
Did it last year for the first time and took the motorway all the way down. Good crack with other LaManners but I was thinking A402 might be better, more interesting, more nostalgic, more easy to get lost probably. If it's an extra hour or so, that's not a problem but my experiences of travelling through France avoiding the motorways is that it's very time consuming so would make it a hell of a journey.
We went through Rouen last year as well. Traffic was a nightmare, hence wondering if anyone had ever tried to go round and what the merits of that are?
G,
I find that in the daytime getting across Rouen is 40-60 minutes usually, and I just have to bear it!
A route round Rouen is not straightforward. The easterly route is rarely mentioned. I know some Le Mans-ers travelling from Calais take the autoroute that goes over some way the north of Rouen (A29) and then head west for Honfleur,then south for Pont-l'Eveque, Lisieux, Liverot, Vimoutieres, then Gace, where the old N138 is picked up (good bar or two in Gace!). I have used some of this route in past years and will do so this year as I'm based at Falaise, some way north of Le Mans. The route has more tolls and some spectacular sights, particularly on the toll bridge over the River Seine, and has always been light of traffic in my experience.
The old N138 from Rouen is a great driving road: mostly single carriageways, roundabouts, some traffic and often there are quality motors going to/from Le Mans. Coming back after the race, using the N138 will avoid the massive hold up that occured last year, and presumably this year, at the toll on the A28 heading for Rouen.
Whatever route you opt for, watch out for the police of course.
R.
I find that in the daytime getting across Rouen is 40-60 minutes usually, and I just have to bear it!
A route round Rouen is not straightforward. The easterly route is rarely mentioned. I know some Le Mans-ers travelling from Calais take the autoroute that goes over some way the north of Rouen (A29) and then head west for Honfleur,then south for Pont-l'Eveque, Lisieux, Liverot, Vimoutieres, then Gace, where the old N138 is picked up (good bar or two in Gace!). I have used some of this route in past years and will do so this year as I'm based at Falaise, some way north of Le Mans. The route has more tolls and some spectacular sights, particularly on the toll bridge over the River Seine, and has always been light of traffic in my experience.
The old N138 from Rouen is a great driving road: mostly single carriageways, roundabouts, some traffic and often there are quality motors going to/from Le Mans. Coming back after the race, using the N138 will avoid the massive hold up that occured last year, and presumably this year, at the toll on the A28 heading for Rouen.
Whatever route you opt for, watch out for the police of course.
R.
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