Cypsela

[DeliDave]

looking at taking van to Pals,staying at Cypsela for 2 weeks in June,picking up daughter and granchildren from Gerona airport,they will have a mobile home or chalet on Cypsela.If i go via Dover and drive I think it will take three days,what about going to Balboa how long is sailing and driving time has anyone got a better idea?

 

[ValA.]

You're looking at 36 hours on the ferry, and about a twelve hour drive once you leave Bilbao (arrival time at Bilbao at 8.00 am suggests an overnight stop would be required on your route across Spain) so timewise you're probably not saving much over driving down yourself with the van. Then you've got to add the cost of the ferry. This will depend on the days and dates you want to travel, but I wouldn't reckon you'd get much change out of

 

[MikeJE]

We have been to Cypsela twice, both times through France and the three day option is far easier on the driver. Used www.autoroutes.fr for route planning and the Castels chain and municipals for overnights.

 

[DeliDave]

Thanks for the advice,looked at Brittany ferries,over

 

[KeithM]

Last week we returned from just north of Tarragona via the AP7, A9, A61, A20 etc to Calais. Direct costs for this single journey:-

Tolls - _90 (circa

 

[DeliDave]

thanks for the breakdown keith,what did your ferry cost to spain?

 

[KeithM]

David - the Portsmouth-Bilbao return trip booked for next year (outbound early March, return early May) cost

 

[ValA.]

Our route to Spain (or to the Languedoc) tends to be Dover/Abbeville/Rouen/Chartres/Nevers/Clermont Ferrand/Millau/Montpellier/Perpignan/Spain - sorry haven't an atlas for road numbers!! Sometimes we skirt around to the eastern side of Paris, and then follow the above route from Nemours south. Generally we avoid toll-routes where possible. Overnight stops depend on the arrival time of the ferry we manage to catch - we usually do a late evening (11.00 pm), arriving in France about 1.15 - and then spend the first night on the Aire de la Baie de la Somme, which is excellent, with a dedicated caravan area (no noisy lorries - and individual bays, with picnic table, rubbish bin, etc). We usually look for a site around 4 to 5 pm on travelling days, so we have time to unwind a little. This time we stayed in the municipal site at Nevers which was a good place for an overnighter, with a handy supermarket nearby to stock up. Next site is usually around the Millau area, or just south of there - we have managed to reach the med on really good days! We've been to the Costa Brava, and several times to Tarragona area - and our friends will be the HappyCamp couriers at Cypsela again this year - do look them up - Keith and Laura. Have a good holiday!

 

[MikeJE]

David,

We followed directions as given by one of the tour operators at Cypsela ( Maybe Valeries friends there could confirm ) Calais E15/A26 which becomes E17/A26. S of Troyes west onto A5/E17/54. S onto A31/E17/21, onto E15/A6, becomes E15/A7 - E15/A9 then E15/A7 then into Spain. From then on I have lost the directions but www.autoroutes.fr confirmed this as being a suitable route and gave guidance onward to the site. Mostly motorways, not scenic, but eliminating through town driving. As has been mentioned some route numbers have or are being changed since I was there so beware of that.

Average distance each way for Calais/Cypsela - Cypsela/Calais over two years 2002/2003 904 miles which includes coming off the route to get to overnighters.

P.S. We collected seeds from the LARGE pine cones lying about at Cypsela and potted them up. Makes a change from the usual souvenirs !

Mike E

 

[DeliDave]

Many thanks to all of you for your posts Valerie,that is about the route we used last year for Montpellier in August without van,stopped near Clermont Ferrand,viewed the Millau bridge then down to coast,couple of days in Cypsela with Keycamp.Also thanks to Keith and Mike,its always good to here of alternatives or confirmation the route you picked is done by others.Have used La Route Anglais but its really expensive on tolls imo.Cant wait for June

 

[KeithM]

David,

If you want to play about with different routes, go to www.autoroutes.fr, select voiture avec caravan, Calais to Perpignan and see the results! You should be able to put in intermediate destinations so as to vary which route the system chooses (i.e. A20 or A7 etc) and see the differences in tolls and distance.

Keith (M)

 

[ValA.]

We always try to use toll-free routes when possible - sometimes these actually run parallel to the toll routes. We've saved a fortune over the years by using non-toll routes and I know most of you say that you save time by using toll route - but not always!! It may take a little longer, but you'll see more, and experience more of France on the way!! Enjoy your travels!!!