What route through France

[The Surveyor]

With less than a month to go :bounce: until departure, i am looking at possible routes through France. Being a Le mans virgin, what is the prefered route? Do most people use the toll motorways (and if so, what is the cost?) or do people stick to the free roads.

Also, i will be travelling down from Dunkirk, but the Autoroute suggests that i go Via Paris? Would i be better off nipping across to Callis and following a more direct route?

The route must be easy to follow as my Brother is navigating :drunk:!!!

Thanks

[Loud n Proud]

I think that the route that takes you around Paris is nearly all Payage all the way to LM. Quick, but possibly a little dull.

The basic route that I will be taking is Boulogne - Abbeville - Rouen ( can be a bit of a nightmare) Sees - Alencon - LM.

Combination of M-way and great flowing roads

If in doubt just follow any exotica with English plates.

All roads lead to LM 2005

[beemer]

The Surveyor said:

The route must be easy to follow as my Brother is navigating !!!

You'll enjoy Rouen then, should you choose to go via Boulogne and Abbeville!!

I'd always go via Rouen given the choice - the Paris route is very dull...

Watch out for le flic on the N138 to Alencon and on to LM though

cheers
sean

[andy_vtec]

Our group will be using this route: Fast, €20 in tolls, but not as interesting as other routes:

Where Road Milage

Calais to Abbeville A16 70 miles

Abbeville to Rouen A28 68 Miles

Rouen to Evreux A13/A154/N154 34 Miles

Evreux to Nonacourt N154 18 Miles

Nonacourt to Dreux N12 10 Miles

Dreux to Chartres N154 22 Miles

Chartres to LM A11 74 Miles

[The Surveyor]

Thanks for the info, i will check those out on the map tonight.

Andy, how long do you expect that route to take?

Thanks

[andy_vtec]

The Surveyor said:

Andy, how long do you expect that route to take?

Traffic is normally not to bad (except Rouen), and cruising at 80 / 90 on the motorways and "best speed" on the other roads it normally takes around 5 hours from Calais to Le Mans, that includes a quick lunch / hypermarket stop and fuel stops).

You will find that Calais to Rouen is all motorway and flies, the other roads are fair bit slower, but more fun.

Next year will be easier as there is a new motorway opening in December this year which will take you from Rouen to Le Mans direct.

Leaving in 22 days and 16 hours!!!!

[blackscooby]

I'm leaving from Calais. Planning to be really boring and go A26 > A1, Paris. Then the main motorway from Paris to Le Mans.

MS Autoroute reckons around 4.5 hours or so. Leaving Calais at 16:30. Hoping to be in Le Mans at around 9pm.

Quick and easy is the motoring rule we're sticking to !

[barreti]

Loud n Proud said:

The basic route that I will be taking is Boulogne - Abbeville - Rouen ( can be a bit of a nightmare) Sees - Alencon - LM.

Loud n Proud, have you tried the route out of Rouen that takes you on the west bank of the Seine to La Bouille.
Its a stunning forest drive with a little ferry across the Seine and through the lovely little village. It's not a big detour and you drop right back on the E402/N138 to Sees. Definately recommend it if you can fight your way around Rouen to the D982 starting point.

[jeremysmith]

barreti said:

Loud n Proud said: The basic route that I will be taking is Boulogne - Abbeville - Rouen ( can be a bit of a nightmare) Sees - Alencon - LM. Loud n Proud, have you tried the route out of Rouen that takes you on the west bank of the Seine to La Bouille. Its a stunning forest drive with a little ferry across the Seine and through the lovely little village. It's not a big detour and you drop right back on the E402/N138 to Sees. Definately recommend it if you can fight your way around Rouen to the D982 starting point.

We came back that way in 2003 it was very picturesque, the 10 minute ferry was a nice break for me and my Cerb. I'd lost 5th gear just before we went across ( I think it was a bit hot and had ed off for a cool dip in the river) and was able to use the ferry crossing to make a few phone calls.

The motorways are booooooooooooring! unless you're leaving late and just need to get there. If you're driving down with a group, the drive should be an integral part of the Le Mans experience. The locals in the small villages are always pleased to see the cars and make you very welcome!

[Loud n Proud]

Barreti, thanks for the tip.
Will review on a large scale map, and see if I can convince the rest of our party that the scenic route is the way to go.
The fact that I can also give my Cerb a rest, also seems like a good idea!

[t1grm]

blackscooby said:

I'm leaving from Calais. Planning to be really boring and go A26 > A1, Paris. Then the main motorway from Paris to Le Mans. MS Autoroute reckons around 4.5 hours or so. Leaving Calais at 16:30. Hoping to be in Le Mans at around 9pm. Quick and easy is the motoring rule we're sticking to !

Unfortunately Autoroute does not take account of the Paris traffic. I drove from Brussels to Le Mans via Paris last year and it took me 3 hours to get around Paris on the ring road. It’s worse than the M25.

If you leave Calais at 16:30 then you’ll be hitting Paris around 19:00 which will probably be the worst time. Plus as has been said the Paris / Le Mans motorway is pretty boring.

I’d take the A16 & A28 to Rouen then A28 to Le Mans