SCENIC ROUTES TO LE MANS

[Felix7]

Going over Wednesday to Calais and probablly stopping off on the way down somewhere nice to enjoy the local vino.

Anyone have any tried and tested routes that incorporate some 'fun' roads?

Thanks

PC

[Guy Humpage]

If you pick up a Michelin map they have 'scenic roads' highlighted. The 'Normandie' map covers from the coast almost as far north as Dieppe/Boulogne/Calais and a 'Loire Valley' one covers south of Alencon. There are plenty of forests and national parks within a few miles of the direct N138 route (which is fairly scenic in itself).

[Jimmer]

Autoroutes and N roads are great for the Le Mans run, but attract all the gendarmes.
Take the back roads, and enjoy fast twisty traffic free runs that seem to escape the attention of the Feds (they're out policing the convoy).
As to my preferred route - it will remain a secret to the Jimmer Le Mans crew. Get yourself the local maps, have the confidence to explore and find some great roads.

[Mark B]

Felix7

We always try to find scenic routes and stay away from the main roads. Travelling from Dieppe we head toward the Pont de Brotonne and through the forests around there. Great roads and hardly any traffic!

Cheers,
Mark

[Bobo W]

Just stay away from Rouen unless of course you're going there earlier in the year for the 24 hour power boat grand prix.

[Felix7]

Mark B said: Felix7

We always try to find scenic routes and stay away from the main roads. Travelling from Dieppe we head toward the Pont de Brotonne and through the forests around there. Great roads and hardly any traffic!

Cheers,
Mark

Thanks Mark, I was hoping that someone had a tried and tested route.

We are going over early this year and can afford to 'take' our time, therefore avoiding the dual carriageway from Calais, Rouen and the straight drag down the main N road to Le Mans, although the cafe next to the long straight about 10 miles South of Rouen is always a good vantage point to watch the world and his dog blasting by.

We are hoping to stop off half way down at nice hotel to enjoy the local vino and roll into Le Mans first thing Thursday to claim our tent pitch.

[Mark B]

Felix 7

Try typing this into Autoroute

Dieppe - Totes - Yerville - Yvetote - Brionne - Gace - Alencon - Le Mans

Fantastic roads, right up through the forests of mid Brittany. Really nice, had a great race up through there few years back with a mate in his Cobra, I was in a Sylva Striker. We had to park up and wait for the rest of the group. We over took the van carrying all our gear at about 110+. Quite a sight by there accounts when they caught us up!!!!!!

Bring on 2003

[Felix7]

Mark B said: Felix 7

Try typing this into Autoroute

Dieppe - Totes - Yerville - Yvetote - Brionne - Gace - Alencon - Le Mans

Fantastic roads, right up through the forests of mid Brittany. Really nice, had a great race up through there few years back with a mate in his Cobra, I was in a Sylva Striker. We had to park up and wait for the rest of the group. We over took the van carrying all our gear at about 110+. Quite a sight by there accounts when they caught us up!!!!!!

Bring on 2003

All we need to do now is find a few cars going the same way, thanks for the info Mark.

[Jimmer]

If you find yourself in Brittany after driving from Calais you will have had a bloody good drive - but will have over-shot Le Mans by a couple of hundred miles! Forget Brittany, try Normandy.
Head for Forges Les Eaux on the autoroute, then go via Lyons La Foret (stunning town, great food) on the back roads.
Just look out for an MX-5/Elise/Subaru STi/911 Carrera 4S convoy - move over we're on our way through!
Have fun!