Road trip Z4 Caen france to Valencia Spain
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I will be retiring very soon and I’m hoping to embark on first ever proper road trip in France and Spain, in May 2020. End destination will be Valencia where I will spend time with family who live there.
Aiming for a relaxing pootle (away from autoroutes) rather than cramming in the miles each day. Also, I’d like to avoid cites as I prefer small towns and villages. I’ll be driving a Z4 2009 and probably on my own, but friends might be joining on route. As I said I will be retired so there will be no time scale just enjoy the drive
Will get the ferry to Caen or St Malo and then work down to Valencia
Places Ive read that are worth a visit are so far, include
• Pegasus bridge
• Vierzon
• Clermont Ferrand
• Millau Viaduct (largest in Europe)
• Beziers
• Pyrenees
• Tarascon sur ariege
• Albies
• El pas de la casa
• Andora (is it worth a visit)
• Valencai
•
I'm sure this is well worn path amongst PHers, so any tips or suggestions along the way?
Feel free to suggest dropping places and add better suggestions
Thanks for any help Dave
I will be retiring very soon and I’m hoping to embark on first ever proper road trip in France and Spain, in May 2020. End destination will be Valencia where I will spend time with family who live there.
Aiming for a relaxing pootle (away from autoroutes) rather than cramming in the miles each day. Also, I’d like to avoid cites as I prefer small towns and villages. I’ll be driving a Z4 2009 and probably on my own, but friends might be joining on route. As I said I will be retired so there will be no time scale just enjoy the drive
Will get the ferry to Caen or St Malo and then work down to Valencia
Places Ive read that are worth a visit are so far, include
• Pegasus bridge
• Vierzon
• Clermont Ferrand
• Millau Viaduct (largest in Europe)
• Beziers
• Pyrenees
• Tarascon sur ariege
• Albies
• El pas de la casa
• Andora (is it worth a visit)
• Valencai
•
I'm sure this is well worn path amongst PHers, so any tips or suggestions along the way?
Feel free to suggest dropping places and add better suggestions
Thanks for any help Dave
Great idea Dave. I have just come home from Sainsbury’s and walked past a Z4 in the car park. I slowed down and enjoyed the looks admiring the interior.
Im a Alfa 916 Spider guy but I'm curious about the Z4. Im looking to do something similar but with camping to help keep the costs reasonable. I wondered if the Z4 boot would be too small for all the camping paraphernalia I’m looking to carry. Ditto for the Alfa to be fair. I should imagine both cars are spot on for staying in B&B/hotels instead whilst taking the interesting roads.
As for what to see, where to start? Historically you are spoilt for choice. I would suggest some of the fabulous Roman remains found in many places.
Im a Alfa 916 Spider guy but I'm curious about the Z4. Im looking to do something similar but with camping to help keep the costs reasonable. I wondered if the Z4 boot would be too small for all the camping paraphernalia I’m looking to carry. Ditto for the Alfa to be fair. I should imagine both cars are spot on for staying in B&B/hotels instead whilst taking the interesting roads.
As for what to see, where to start? Historically you are spoilt for choice. I would suggest some of the fabulous Roman remains found in many places.
I agree with most of your choices except Andorra; having been there, I probably wouldn't bother again. Definitely don't miss the Millau viaduct, and take the time to see it from underneath - you'll be gobsmacked looking up at it!
I would consider - although it may then be a bit of a zig-zag route - Oradour-sur-Glane, Rocmadour and Saint-Cirque-Lapopie also. All superb places in their own right, especially the unnatural silence of Oradour. Look in the church and see all the kids' toys still left where they were mercilessly machine-gunned with their mothers. Thousands of bullet scars all over the place. Try to do it without a tear in your eye - I didn't manage it.
If you're going to the Pegasus Bridge, you must also visit the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-mer; it is stunning and very moving with graves that seem to go right across to the horizon.
For your return route, try the N137/E3 road - it goes through or passes close to some lovely towns and villages, we usually call into Bain-de-Bretagne for example, but there are others.
I would consider - although it may then be a bit of a zig-zag route - Oradour-sur-Glane, Rocmadour and Saint-Cirque-Lapopie also. All superb places in their own right, especially the unnatural silence of Oradour. Look in the church and see all the kids' toys still left where they were mercilessly machine-gunned with their mothers. Thousands of bullet scars all over the place. Try to do it without a tear in your eye - I didn't manage it.
If you're going to the Pegasus Bridge, you must also visit the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-mer; it is stunning and very moving with graves that seem to go right across to the horizon.
For your return route, try the N137/E3 road - it goes through or passes close to some lovely towns and villages, we usually call into Bain-de-Bretagne for example, but there are others.
[quote=littleredrooster]I agree with most of your choices except Andorra; having been there, I probably wouldn't bother again.
Me neither
I would consider - although it may then be a bit of a zig-zag route - Oradour-sur-Glane, Rocmadour and Saint-Cirque-Lapopie also. All superb places in their own right, especially the unnatural silence of Oradour. Look in the church and see all the kids' toys still left where they were mercilessly machine-gunned with their mothers. Thousands of bullet scars all over the place. Try to do it without a tear in your eye - I didn't manage it.
Is the molten bell still in the church, where it was set alight with the inhabitants locked inside? First time I went I talked to someone who had come from a trip to Auschwitz and they said feeling was very similar including the lack of any birdsong
Me neither
I would consider - although it may then be a bit of a zig-zag route - Oradour-sur-Glane, Rocmadour and Saint-Cirque-Lapopie also. All superb places in their own right, especially the unnatural silence of Oradour. Look in the church and see all the kids' toys still left where they were mercilessly machine-gunned with their mothers. Thousands of bullet scars all over the place. Try to do it without a tear in your eye - I didn't manage it.
Is the molten bell still in the church, where it was set alight with the inhabitants locked inside? First time I went I talked to someone who had come from a trip to Auschwitz and they said feeling was very similar including the lack of any birdsong
I wouldn't bother with vierzon, we broke down once and ended up staying there 3 nights while waiting for parts , it's just a big town with nothing much in it from what we saw , it's one of those stop off or meet places due to its location , the thing I remember most is walking past the brothel with a line of trucks parked in the street !
Your better off driving down to millau and looking up and stopping off at the view points , driving over the bridge is a bit of a let down to say the least , my passenger said " was that it "
As mentioned before , rocamadour is definitely worth a visit , if you do sarlat la caneda is in the same area and also very nice , I lived there a while and it's a great place for a wander around .
Your better off driving down to millau and looking up and stopping off at the view points , driving over the bridge is a bit of a let down to say the least , my passenger said " was that it "
As mentioned before , rocamadour is definitely worth a visit , if you do sarlat la caneda is in the same area and also very nice , I lived there a while and it's a great place for a wander around .
If you want to get somewhere quickly , follow the blue mway signs with your destination on , if you want a nicer drive but risk getting stuck behind slower traffic , follow the green signs with your destination on , or at least with towns on your route .
I personally always used tolls , mind numbing but useful as I always just needed to get there , sounds boring but I was going to my house so it was like just getting home .
Blue for boring modern france , green for typical small towns and villages to stop off .
I personally always used tolls , mind numbing but useful as I always just needed to get there , sounds boring but I was going to my house so it was like just getting home .
Blue for boring modern france , green for typical small towns and villages to stop off .
I'm doing pretty much exactly the same road trip - St. Malo to Valencia, but in March so we can enjoy the Fallas to the full. Still going in a soft top though, and planning to have the roof down as much as possible. Coming back via Santander. Ferries are booked as is the hotel in Valencia. Now trying to figure out the rest of the trip.
If you're wanting to visit Pegasus bridge, then Caen is an obvious choice for the ferry. However, I much prefer the St Malo crossing as you have time for a decent dinner on the boat and a good nights sleep, before disembarking around 8:00am. If I remember correctly Caen is something like 11:30pm depart and 6:00am arrival.
There are some nice places on the north coast near Caen - Cabourg, Trouville and Deauville. They used Cabourg as a landmark during D-Day due to the distinctive layout of the streets.
As for places to visit on the way
Le Mans, just so you can drive down the Mulsanne straight.
St-Emilion as already suggested - even if you're not a wine drinker it's still a very pretty place
Millau Viaduct - as already suggested. Well worth any detour - you need to drive over it and also under it.
San Sebastian - for the Tapas trail and / or multiple Michelin Star restaurants (still worth a stop just for the Tapas trail)
My plan is to blast down to Biarritz for the first night - get most of France out of the way ASAP (I have family near Ruffec, so have done the journey many times and seen everything I want to see).
Then on to San Sebastian - maybe taking a detour through the mountains. It's not far from Biarritz, so I could make it the first stop, but I've always to go to Biarritz, so I am.
After that I'm looking at somewhere in the foothills of the Pyrennes - around Jaca - staying here a couple of nights and maybe a day trip into the mountains (depending on whether there's snow on the roads or not)
Then off to Valencia for a 8 days - with a day trip to Benidorm when we're there - to have drinks and dinner in Neptunes Tavern.
Then a final blast back to Santander, before a 24 hour ferry crossing back to Portsmouth.
If you're wanting to visit Pegasus bridge, then Caen is an obvious choice for the ferry. However, I much prefer the St Malo crossing as you have time for a decent dinner on the boat and a good nights sleep, before disembarking around 8:00am. If I remember correctly Caen is something like 11:30pm depart and 6:00am arrival.
There are some nice places on the north coast near Caen - Cabourg, Trouville and Deauville. They used Cabourg as a landmark during D-Day due to the distinctive layout of the streets.
As for places to visit on the way
Le Mans, just so you can drive down the Mulsanne straight.
St-Emilion as already suggested - even if you're not a wine drinker it's still a very pretty place
Millau Viaduct - as already suggested. Well worth any detour - you need to drive over it and also under it.
San Sebastian - for the Tapas trail and / or multiple Michelin Star restaurants (still worth a stop just for the Tapas trail)
My plan is to blast down to Biarritz for the first night - get most of France out of the way ASAP (I have family near Ruffec, so have done the journey many times and seen everything I want to see).
Then on to San Sebastian - maybe taking a detour through the mountains. It's not far from Biarritz, so I could make it the first stop, but I've always to go to Biarritz, so I am.
After that I'm looking at somewhere in the foothills of the Pyrennes - around Jaca - staying here a couple of nights and maybe a day trip into the mountains (depending on whether there's snow on the roads or not)
Then off to Valencia for a 8 days - with a day trip to Benidorm when we're there - to have drinks and dinner in Neptunes Tavern.
Then a final blast back to Santander, before a 24 hour ferry crossing back to Portsmouth.
DaveZ4 said:
hi Guys
this is great advice lots of food for thought
what's your advice on toll roads, I'm no hurry would I be better avoiding them or am I making it hard and long drives? its not a cost question more of a which route better if that makes any sense lol
Dave
Given that you have time on your hands for the first time in your life - definitely avoid toll roads. The fees can easily mount up to the cost of a night in a cheap hotel, but doing 130kph top down over long distances can quickly become tedious, plus you miss all the villages that you want to see.this is great advice lots of food for thought
what's your advice on toll roads, I'm no hurry would I be better avoiding them or am I making it hard and long drives? its not a cost question more of a which route better if that makes any sense lol
Dave
A fairly obvious bit of advice would be to learn the basics in French - reserving hotel rooms, ordering food, drinks and cafe culture etc.
Rick Stein currently has a series on BBC 2 where he's meandering around France in his 911. You can catch up with it on IPlayer and it may provide some inspiration.
Personally I'd +1 on visiting Saumur, it's beautiful and the food is tremendous. I also recommend La Rochelle and the Ile De Re, both are fantastic places just to slow down and enjoy life.
FWIW I'm off to France for the 4th consecutive year next year, but taking the 2 day boat to Bilbao and staying just outside of Biarritz.
In my experience it's best to mix the D and N roads as too long on the D roads becomes frustrating. Use the N roads to cover large distances fast and pull off early to enjoy the D roads and the little towns you pass through.
Personally I'd +1 on visiting Saumur, it's beautiful and the food is tremendous. I also recommend La Rochelle and the Ile De Re, both are fantastic places just to slow down and enjoy life.
FWIW I'm off to France for the 4th consecutive year next year, but taking the 2 day boat to Bilbao and staying just outside of Biarritz.
In my experience it's best to mix the D and N roads as too long on the D roads becomes frustrating. Use the N roads to cover large distances fast and pull off early to enjoy the D roads and the little towns you pass through.
pete_esp said:
Rick Stein currently has a series on BBC 2 where he's meandering around France in his 911. You can catch up with it on IPlayer and it may provide some inspiration.
Personally I'd +1 on visiting Saumur, it's beautiful and the food is tremendous. I also recommend La Rochelle and the Ile De Re, both are fantastic places just to slow down and enjoy life.
FWIW I'm off to France for the 4th consecutive year next year, but taking the 2 day boat to Bilbao and staying just outside of Biarritz.
In my experience it's best to mix the D and N roads as too long on the D roads becomes frustrating. Use the N roads to cover large distances fast and pull off early to enjoy the D roads and the little towns you pass through.
I live in Saumur, and can confirm the quality of the food, there is also a cheapish hotel called Londre on the Main Street but with off-street parking for the Z4.Personally I'd +1 on visiting Saumur, it's beautiful and the food is tremendous. I also recommend La Rochelle and the Ile De Re, both are fantastic places just to slow down and enjoy life.
FWIW I'm off to France for the 4th consecutive year next year, but taking the 2 day boat to Bilbao and staying just outside of Biarritz.
In my experience it's best to mix the D and N roads as too long on the D roads becomes frustrating. Use the N roads to cover large distances fast and pull off early to enjoy the D roads and the little towns you pass through.
The Rick Stein series is interesting, but he obviously keeps hearing the wrong things about France from his Australian neighbours. He claims to have been visiting for years, but his language skill is pretty poor. He is making programs that his French researcher has determined - meeting as many Brits as he can on the way. Most Routier restaurants will offer lunch far better than their equivalents in the UK for €12 - 14, but as one of his Brit owners explained, there is a limit to what can be achieve with a 35-hour week and high labour costs.
DaveZ4 said:
hi Guys
this is great advice lots of food for thought
what's your advice on toll roads, I'm no hurry would I be better avoiding them or am I making it hard and long drives? its not a cost question more of a which route better if that makes any sense lol
Dave
If you're in no hurry, stick to the N and D roads. If you are going to use the Toll roads, get something like a Halifax Clarity credit card - they're the mutts nuts for cheap Euro transactions - and just ask your passenger to wave it at the card reader at the Toll Booth; don't ever use a pre-paid card for this, or for buying petrol as they (basically) don't work like that. Ask me how I know... this is great advice lots of food for thought
what's your advice on toll roads, I'm no hurry would I be better avoiding them or am I making it hard and long drives? its not a cost question more of a which route better if that makes any sense lol
Dave
French road numbering is a bit complex; when you're trying to follow a longish route, the road can vary between being called the N137, D137, C1237 or an unclassified road with 37 at the end. This is (simplistically) down to who maintains it - N is (Route) Nationale, D is Départmental (regional) and C or D is local (Mairie or local Council). rdjohn may contradict/provide more insight!
Oh - and please do some research into Priorité a Droite. It still applies in some towns and can be a pain in the backside to remember about it, but the consequences can be holiday-ending...
If you want a good route to Tarascon.
Start at Bagneres de Luchon,over the top to Bossost,up to St Beat and over Col de Mente and Through Portet d’Aspet.Cruise down to Castillon en Couseran,over Col de la Core via Bethmale,drop down in to Seix.Turn right towards Ustou.From Ustou over Col de la Trappe into Aulus les Bain,from there over Col d’Agnes,through Vicdessos and keep going until the roundabout.
If you do it buy me virtual beer as you will enjoy it.
Start at Bagneres de Luchon,over the top to Bossost,up to St Beat and over Col de Mente and Through Portet d’Aspet.Cruise down to Castillon en Couseran,over Col de la Core via Bethmale,drop down in to Seix.Turn right towards Ustou.From Ustou over Col de la Trappe into Aulus les Bain,from there over Col d’Agnes,through Vicdessos and keep going until the roundabout.
If you do it buy me virtual beer as you will enjoy it.
If you want to travel along routes that you create, try this app. It's easy to use, you can preview the roads on Google Maps (if you pay) and they are transferable to any sat nav. Not sure if you can transfer them to an Android or Iphone though.
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/2598158...
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/2598158...
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en
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