Driving my scooby to south of France

[j20but]

Need advice and tips please.

As the title suggests I'm planning a trip this August to the south of France in my scoob, I'm aiming to visit the following places.

MILLAU BRIDGE
MONTE CARLO
COL DE TORINO
PORTOFINO
MARANELLO
STELVIO PASS
NURBURGRING

Any advice/tips about routes, accomodation, do's and don't greatly appreciated.

[Gad-Westy]

That's a bit more than just France! So seeing as you seem happy to rack up the miles, how about heading south in France to the east of Paris and taking in the old Reims Pit straight. Hard to explain the attraction but I could spend hours there. From there you are also on track to get to Monaco via the N85, Route Napoleon. There are great roads to the North of there between Grenoble and Gap. You'll not be too close to Milau but its a long day trip from Nice/Monaco.

One general note, if you have the time it's really well worth avoiding the Autoroutes. France is full of beautiful quiet roads that are worth savouring.

[Davey S2]

N85 (Route Napoleon) is a must do although it can be busy at that time of year.

Pick it up in Grenoble and follow it all the way into Cannes

I would also recommend the D996 which is the old road between Reims and Dijon. Fabulous.

As said try and avoid the autorutes. If you have sat nav tell it to avoid the autoroutes and it wil usually take you on some great back roads.

[j20but]

Thanks for the replies so far but i suppose one of the big questions (for any car nut) is where to stay? Secure parking being more important than comfort. Any recommendations?

[Angry Sheep]

j20but said:

Thanks for the replies so far but i suppose one of the big questions (for any car nut) is where to stay? Secure parking being more important than comfort. Any recommendations?

Take a caravan, then you'll have guaranteed accommodation.

No?

[Davey S2]

j20but said:

Thanks for the replies so far but i suppose one of the big questions (for any car nut) is where to stay? Secure parking being more important than comfort. Any recommendations?

On my last trip down to the South of France I just stayed in Etap type hotels as we were only at most places for one night. Most of those had secure parking so just check before you go.

[PGM]

I've done all those in the Impreza and 996.

We stayed in F1 hotels, cheap and cheerful and the car parks were always OK. There are loads of independant b&B and hotels near the ring and I always find good value for money around there

As said above Reims, Grenoble, Route Napolean to Cannes, Monaco via all the tunnels and back up to the ring via Col de turini/stelvio. The bridge is a bit of a detour from that route, possibly worth deleting although the gorges underneath it are fantastic roads. Stelvio is also a little overrated but I suppose worthwhile if you want to tick it off!

I'll pop some pics up of our tours on Monday.

You will find the serious achilles heel of the Impreza on that tour too, and that is fuel range, really peed me off and came close to running out a couple of times!

Edited by PGM on Friday 29th January 17:04

Edited by PGM on Friday 29th January 17:05

[j20but]

Really helpful tips so far, thanks again, looks like route napolean is a must!
Regarding hotels was thinking along the lines of campaniles/F1's etc so thanks for confirming their ok. look forward to pics being posted.

Yep my biggest concern is the sti's fuel range as i get between 14-23mpg so only good for 250miles at best!!! hopefully with the help of a couple of can's in the boot, a shell garage locator and google earth on my phone i should (fingers crossed) have it covered????

your bang on about Millau bridge as well - just need to tick it of my todo list.

Anyone driven to portofino (Italy) from Monaco?? I'm thinking coast road rather than motorway?

[dcb]

j20but said:

Yep my biggest concern is the sti's fuel range as i get between 14-23mpg so only good for 250miles at best!!! hopefully with the help of a couple of can's in the boot, a shell garage locator and google earth on my phone i should (fingers crossed) have it covered????

I think you have some overkill there. Petrol stations are plentiful in France.
Just remember to fill up when it is about 1/4 full.

Given the Scoobie's err, usual customer base shall we say,
here are a few tips

1. Please remember to learn some French and Italian language before
you go. A few pleases, thank yous and sorrys go a long way.

2. You are a guest in their country. Take a list of UK consulates
and embassies with you: useful if you get into trouble.

3. Coppers, especially foreign coppers, are always right,
even when they are wrong.

4. It's about 750 miles from Calais to Monaco. It will take you about
10-12 hours to get there direct. Don't go over 100 mph on the motorways,
keep strict lane discipline and you should be fine.

[j20but]

dcb said:

j20but said:

Yep my biggest concern is the sti's fuel range as i get between 14-23mpg so only good for 250miles at best!!! hopefully with the help of a couple of can's in the boot, a shell garage locator and google earth on my phone i should (fingers crossed) have it covered????

I think you have some overkill there. Petrol stations are plentiful in France.
Just remember to fill up when it is about 1/4 full.

Given the Scoobie's err, usual customer base shall we say,
here are a few tips

1. Please remember to learn some French and Italian language before
you go. A few pleases, thank yous and sorrys go a long way.

2. You are a guest in their country. Take a list of UK consulates
and embassies with you: useful if you get into trouble.

3. Coppers, especially foreign coppers, are always right,
even when they are wrong.

4. It's about 750 miles from Calais to Monaco. It will take you about
10-12 hours to get there direct. Don't go over 100 mph on the motorways,
keep strict lane discipline and you should be fine.

Thanks for the condescending comments but they are not the tips/hints i was expecting, the 4 tips you have given should be in the "bleedin odvious" category I am like 99% of pistonheads and a responsible driver that know's his and the car's limits and use's speed when apropriate. Being 40 years of age I'm always polite and never ever needed the use of a embassy before even though i've driven in USA, Barbados, Turkey, Greece, France, Germany, Spain etc etc!
Please keep the USEFUL advice coming and nothing else!

[Darth Paul]

Did the Millau, Monaco run a few years ago, but kept it to the autoroutes as it was our first time driving abroad. We stopped in a few Ibis hotels and they were more than adequate for a one night stop over. First one we stopped at was in Beaune, just beside Dijon. Nice little place and a German Porsche club was there when we stopped and they seemed happy leaving them in the car park. Would definetly pick up the N85 next time I'm over.

ETA Nice STI by the way! Hoping to get myself a 05 STI once I'm sorted out a house. How do you find it on long journeys?

Edited by Darth Paul on Saturday 30th January 15:43

[j20but]

Hi, not really a motorway cruiser but i find it ok for 200miles at a time especially considering its lowered with prodrive springs! besides which as mentioned previously the tank empties before your bum gets numb! lol
think i have the French part of the route sorted except between Dijon and Grenoble - any suggestions anyone?

[PGM]

dcb said:

j20but said:

Yep my biggest concern is the sti's fuel range as i get between 14-23mpg so only good for 250miles at best!!! hopefully with the help of a couple of can's in the boot, a shell garage locator and google earth on my phone i should (fingers crossed) have it covered????

I think you have some overkill there. Petrol stations are plentiful in France.
Just remember to fill up when it is about 1/4 full.

They are plentiful you are right.

The problem, and I speak from experience here having done a 3000 mile tour in 3 weeks in a scooby, is that when you need to put the mileage in on some days (up to 700 in a day) you start only ever thinking about the fuel.

If you fill up at 1/4 full each time this means you need to refuel every 150 miles or every 1.5 to 2 hours and this can start to grate!

Having said they are plentiful, when we were going from Calais to Reims at just before midnight several of them had closed. Also down on the South coast going to Monaco there are not that many to choose from.

I think OP has got it right really, it's just going well prepared with the information.

[paulmnz]

I strongly recommend doing the D1091 from Grenoble to Monaco...

Here's a video I found of it on youtube (not me, but gives you an idea of how the road runs for basically the whole 300+km!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=544-KYuoj3E

I did it this year in summer. 300km of 1,2nd,3rd gear smooth road. because it's so tight you can drive it brisky and still be within the speed limits - I think I averaged 35mph for the day including a potter around monaco. I can honestly say I've never driven a road as good - I drove it both directions in the one day...





It's quite busy with motorcycles - little other traffic. I had a fantastic time 'chasing' a ducati 996 up one of the passes.. the sound of the duke and my car red-lining up the pass was magic... the scenary is stunning, but make sure your brakes in are top condition - I used up a set of front pads and 4 tyres on my 2500mile trip...



I had to stop 2 times for fuel each way, but petrol stations are plentiful and most are 24hr (taking credit cards at the pumps)

[j20but]

paulmnz said:

I strongly recommend doing the D1091 from Grenoble to Monaco...

Here's a video I found of it on youtube (not me, but gives you an idea of how the road runs for basically the whole 300+km!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=544-KYuoj3E

I did it this year in summer. 300km of 1,2nd,3rd gear smooth road. because it's so tight you can drive it brisky and still be within the speed limits - I think I averaged 35mph for the day including a potter around monaco. I can honestly say I've never driven a road as good - I drove it both directions in the one day...





It's quite busy with motorcycles - little other traffic. I had a fantastic time 'chasing' a ducati 996 up one of the passes.. the sound of the duke and my car red-lining up the pass was magic... the scenary is stunning, but make sure your brakes in are top condition - I used up a set of front pads and 4 tyres on my 2500mile trip...



I had to stop 2 times for fuel each way, but petrol stations are plentiful and most are 24hr (taking credit cards at the pumps)

Looks awesome that mate and no pot holes! wonder how they manage with a greater temperature range than us but yet our roads are knackered????

[smifffymoto]

I love the optimistic mpg in an STI.Altitude will murder your figures for the worse.I own a STI and live in the Pyrenees,tootling about I get 200 miles too a tank,pressing on I get 150 and this is from 70 Euro of fuel.When you return home you will be on first name terms with the bank.

[SimonV8ster]

If your going to Millau then the Gorge Du Tarn is a great road with lots of rock over hangs. Has anybody mentioned the Gorge Du Verdon ?

[heebeegeetee]

SimonV8ster said:

If your going to Millau then the Gorge Du Tarn is a great road with lots of rock over hangs. Has anybody mentioned the Gorge Du Verdon ?

I didn't enjoy them - too narrow and too slow, and in August they will be rammed.

OP - get to like the sight of the backs of camper vans, 'cos i'm afraid that's what you'll be seeing the most of. If you can do the trip before May or after September though, it'll be a completely different experience.

• Personally* - I would strike the bridge off the list and stick to the French alps and beyond. If you do go to the bridge, don't bother crossing it, navigate your way towards it via the back roads for the views.

[PGM]

SimonV8ster said:

If your going to Millau then the Gorge Du Tarn is a great road with lots of rock over hangs. Has anybody mentioned the Gorge Du Verdon ?

I did one of the gorges under the Millau at the end of August, it was not amazingly busy. Yes narrow, but a magnificent drive if you know how to overtake properly.

[heebeegeetee]

PGM said:

SimonV8ster said:

If your going to Millau then the Gorge Du Tarn is a great road with lots of rock over hangs. Has anybody mentioned the Gorge Du Verdon ?

I did one of the gorges under the Millau at the end of August, it was not amazingly busy. Yes narrow, but a magnificent drive if you know how to overtake properly.

There are nice views etc, as has the Gorges du verdon, but I thought it all paled into insignificance compare to the fast roads between say, Gap and Sospel (big area, i know ). All that area around Col du Turini, the roads south of Puget-Theniers etc, are all less touristy and are dual width whereas Tarn and verdon are either much narrower and much slower or just too many tourists.

I've done 3 week long trips to the french alps in march and april time and found the roads utterly deserted, but the areas around Millau were busier and i just didn't enjoy them as much.

Another recommendation i can make - look up the town of St Flour, http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...

a town that used to feature on the Monte carlo rally back in the 50's and 60's. take the D590 to Le Puy en velay then the D15 to valence then after valence the D199 and D76 to the Col de la Machine, proper mountain roads. At the Col de la Machine is a lovely little Logis with the most stunning gorge opposite. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...

Then the area south and east of there is just the most fantastic playground. St Flour is an easy day from Calais and then you don't need to use a motorway again.

The problem with attempting a trip that encompasses places like Millau and Stelvio, is that you aren't half going to spend a lot of time on m'ways whilst bypassing the most stunning areas.