France first timers!!

[rob_374352623]

We are looking to trvel to France next summer down the the Atlantic Coast and the route is about 500 miles from Calais? What is the most popular way to tavel? over night, through the night, Have a stop over night halfway down? what make it harder to choose is three kids in tow as well as the caravan? ANY IDEAS????

Rob in Kent

 

[AnthonyNornIreland]

HiRob,

I have just travelled from northern ireland, through the republic of ireland, sailed from rosslaire to rosscoff, then traveled to st jean demonts in Vendee.

had been concerned about the traveling etc, even posted here or advice etc.

At the end of the 17 days we traveled with 4 kids, roof box, boot crammed full etc etc, and it was, I must say easy, and not at all stressfull, as was promised by all on this forum.We arrived in rosscoff at 10am, drove for approx 5 hours, with a few breaks for coffee/diesel etc,with no probs.would def recommend a sat nav, I had planned out a route using the AA site, and also marked it out on a map, but the sat nav took us off the motorways, and onto "A" class roads, these had the advantage of pleanty of stop off points, some of the best scenery in the world, and a really enjoyable start, and finish to our hols.For reassurance, I noted the main towns on our sat nav map, and kept a list on the dash, and double checked the signs on the way, this gave me an idea where we where, and an idea as to how to navigate with only the map, if need be.We also made rolls, sandwiches etc, and brought bottles of juice in cool bags to top the kids up with out having to stop off.

This was my first time driving in France, but take my word for it, dispite my reservations at the start, it was one of the best.

anthony

Have to say, it was one of the best drives I have had in a long time (we drove approx 1500 miles)

 

[Woody3]

Go to www.autoroutes.fr (a little French helps) and get it to plot your route. Odd (typically French) is that although it is an Autoroute site it will allow you to specify a route that does not take you on the Autoroute - and it also has a box to tick that you are towing a caravan. It will sometimes take you on short chargeable bits of Autoroute (such as around the southern side of Boulogne) but they will only cost you a Euro or so. Chargeable Autoroutes have blue signs with 'peage' on them. Don't worry if you go the wrong way, there is always an 'escape' road just before the booths. You get an automated ticket as you join and pay when you leave - and they accept credit cards.

For the record most Autoroutes charge around 6 cents/km solo and 10-11c/km towing. They are wonderfully smooth and easy to drive but watch your speed. You are timed on and off the Autoroute and if the times show you have been speeding (averaged) you will be fined. Note also that all Autoroutes and Route National (A and RN respectively) have different speed limits during and following rain outside urban limits.

As for places to stay en route: if you are using the RN it is easier (they are better roads than in the UK and enjoyable to drive) as all cities and most towns have a municipal camping site which will be well signposted, be relatively inexpensive (typically about _12pn) and are usually clean and tidy - not to say that there are not exceptions!

Finally, if you haven't heard yet, get a Nationwide credit card as they don't surcharge for use abroad and you usually get a better rate of exchange. In June we got _1.22 from our bank using the ATM with a

 

[WatsonJohnG]

We use a Nationwide debit card and have a current account with them just for the annual trip to France

I put

 

[Pat_374304630]

Hi Rob,

Year before last we travelled from Calais to West coast of Britany not far above Brest.The beaches were fantastic.Oceanapolis in Brest is great.With the caravan it took us about 9 hrs plus a break on the way.We travelled motorway all the way and paid very little toll as the motorways in Britanny are free.

We also did a Roscoff crossing but it was very expensive, we now do Either Calais/Dunkirk and enjoy the drive through France.Driving is a pleasure in France.

 

[RayS]

Look at www.viamichelin.com (available in english) which will enable you to plot your route and print it out with the actual roadsigns you will see. From Calais I would consider via Rouen (not Paris) then Rennes, Nantes, and towards Bordeaux. all 4 lane (although some of it toll) and easy driving.

If it's your first time suggest you look at CC insurance (see other threads about first time in france under this forum) as there is a wealth of good advice to be had ( and also by searching this forum).

Don't try to do too many miles in one day - if in season you should aim to find a site around 4.00pm.

Have a great trip.