In the past I have always taken the eastern route from Calais to Beziers via Macon, Lyons. This is mainly because I wanted to avoid paris. Is there a better route, avoiding Paris and will it save much time?
Route to the South of France...
- Thread starter richardpalmer
- Start date
There are lots of alternative routes, but don't know about 'quicker' - certainly cheaper in terms of tolls.
We used to use the Reims/Dijon/Macon/Lyon route until recent years, when the tolls became extortionate. Over the years we've started using Abbeville/Rouen/Orleans/Moulins/Nevers and then the A75 down to Clermont Ferrand. On this route we can get all the way down to the Med without paying tolls at all. However, if you don't mind the tolls then you can do a long stretch from Orleans down to Montlucon and then Clermont Ferrand. It also avoids Paris, and the other traffic hold up in Lyon.
Mappy.com quotes the Macon/Lyon route as 1124 and 10 and a half hours driving, and Abbeville/Clermont Ferrand 1062 and 10 hours driving (bear in mind it calculates the speed at the maximum allowed on all stretches, and with no allowance for comfort stops, etc).
We used to use the Reims/Dijon/Macon/Lyon route until recent years, when the tolls became extortionate. Over the years we've started using Abbeville/Rouen/Orleans/Moulins/Nevers and then the A75 down to Clermont Ferrand. On this route we can get all the way down to the Med without paying tolls at all. However, if you don't mind the tolls then you can do a long stretch from Orleans down to Montlucon and then Clermont Ferrand. It also avoids Paris, and the other traffic hold up in Lyon.
Mappy.com quotes the Macon/Lyon route as 1124 and 10 and a half hours driving, and Abbeville/Clermont Ferrand 1062 and 10 hours driving (bear in mind it calculates the speed at the maximum allowed on all stretches, and with no allowance for comfort stops, etc).
I agree with Val's route via Rouen and Chartres. We usually splash out on the toll from junc 12 of the A10 down to Clermont fr. From Calais to Beziers towing the van usually takes 14.5 driving hours.
Many thanks - does one have to go through the centre of Rouen? Are there any tricky bits to the route?
There are a variety of opinion about the route through/around Rouen, and we usually stick to the N154 which runs along the left bank of the river, taking the exit signposted Le Havre/Paris after the bottom end of the Darnetal tunnel.
If you don't mind paying tolls then there are alternatives, but we've never had a problem finding our way, where those who take the toll autoroute option often post of their difficulties in following the correct signs.
The best thing is to look at Google maps, and zoom in. The road we take is signposted as the N15 - eventually this takes you to Pont de l'Arche where there is a nice municipal site along side the river (Camping Eure et Seine) - within easy distance of Rouen for an evening sightseeing trip, perhaps.
When you leave the campsite you can continue along the N15 and then join the A154 which takes you down towards Chartres/Orleans.
If you don't mind paying tolls then there are alternatives, but we've never had a problem finding our way, where those who take the toll autoroute option often post of their difficulties in following the correct signs.
The best thing is to look at Google maps, and zoom in. The road we take is signposted as the N15 - eventually this takes you to Pont de l'Arche where there is a nice municipal site along side the river (Camping Eure et Seine) - within easy distance of Rouen for an evening sightseeing trip, perhaps.
When you leave the campsite you can continue along the N15 and then join the A154 which takes you down towards Chartres/Orleans.
Have to admit Rouen is one of my bogy towns but I't sure advice from others will see you right.
When looking at maps don't forget French roads are being or have been fairly recently re-numbered but not consistantly. Sometimes the old RN xx just becomes D xx, sometimes it becomes D 1xx, sometimes it becomes another N and sometimes it stays the same. Worse, although the main signs at roundabouts etc. may have been changed, the kilometer markers may not have been, leading to some domestic "debates" not to mention shouting at the satnav.
If you look on the viamichelin website they should be reasonably up to date, but Google Earth images can be several years old.
The good news is that michelin maps now outline in green the major towns you can expect to see on the major roadsigns.
Hope this does not put you off - have a great holiday.
When looking at maps don't forget French roads are being or have been fairly recently re-numbered but not consistantly. Sometimes the old RN xx just becomes D xx, sometimes it becomes D 1xx, sometimes it becomes another N and sometimes it stays the same. Worse, although the main signs at roundabouts etc. may have been changed, the kilometer markers may not have been, leading to some domestic "debates" not to mention shouting at the satnav.
If you look on the viamichelin website they should be reasonably up to date, but Google Earth images can be several years old.
The good news is that michelin maps now outline in green the major towns you can expect to see on the major roadsigns.
Hope this does not put you off - have a great holiday.
Thanks very much. Is there any reason that people avoid the N104, skirting around the eastern side of Paris and then linking up with the A10 Sth - is it a mare of a Road?
No, the N104 is a fine road, and well signposted for the direction you're going BUT to get there you really need to use the toll autoroute down from Calais to Senlis, and then take the N104. This seems to be one of the most expensive sections in France and costs almost 26 euros. (or a meal out for two). Given that we can only do 60 on the autoroute anyway, with a caravan, and not that much less on many N roads, we save the money and stick to the N roads now as money is tight.
The route given above is almost all toll free (or can be) and can save us the costs of several meals out, and a few bottles of wine too.
The route given above is almost all toll free (or can be) and can save us the costs of several meals out, and a few bottles of wine too.
Richard
We have used the A104/N104 several times and found it to be a good road, a bit like the M25 but not so much traffic. I think which route you use depends on how quickly you want to get to your destination and where you are stopping en route. The route via Rouen, which again we have used a few times, seems a long way round but when you do the actuall calculation there is very little in it.
David
We have used the A104/N104 several times and found it to be a good road, a bit like the M25 but not so much traffic. I think which route you use depends on how quickly you want to get to your destination and where you are stopping en route. The route via Rouen, which again we have used a few times, seems a long way round but when you do the actuall calculation there is very little in it.
David
We take the A104/N104 route around Paris. It's well signed and is known as 'La Francilienne'. When we join the A10 a few miles south is a good overnight stop at Camping Le Petits Pres in Dourdan, only 10 minutes from the autoroute. Dunkerque to Dourdan is an easy days drive.
Facebook
Twitter