safe stop off

[blacko]

arriving in France from tunnel at 17.25 would like to travel down as far as possible, before overnight stop on the way to Sarlat, Dordogne. Which would be a good route, toll and non toll, can't arrive on site the next day until after 2pm

 

[ValA.]

We use Abbeville, Rouen, Evreux, Dreux, Chartres, Orleans, then either the toll-free N154 to Vierzon, or the alternative toll route) then Limoges, Brive, etc.............. to your destination.
Do you want a campsite? Camping Ste Claire at Neufchatel en Bray is probably about as far as you'll get before you need to find a site.
We have stayed at Aire de la Baie de Somme many times - but it's probably a bit far north for you - we usually arrive late at night and it's a convenient place to sleep, with showers in the morning. There are other Aires further south, but we haven't stayed on any of them.

 

[blacko]

Last year we used your suggested route to the Loire Valley so will probably use the above route to the Dordogne. Was thinking of using an Aires, but how do you find out where they are on said route. Are they safe to stay on?

 

[ValA.]

I wouldn't want to stay on any that we haven't already had a look around during the day. Baie de la Somme is fine, but I've no idea about others further south. As I said, we only stay on an Aire because of our journey times, but if I arrived earlier in France I'd prefer to stay on a campsite and enjoy the evening with a glass of wine, and a stroll. You can find the position of Aires on the Michelin map which shows those with fuel in blue, and those 'picnic' aires in green.
When we went to the Dordogne last year we stayed at Baie de la Somme, and then had an easy next day driving to the municipal at Vatan, arriving there mid-afternoon, where we spent the night. We arrived in the Dordogne at lunch-time the following day, so really didn't feel as if we'd 'lost' a day.

 

[blacko]

We are thinking of trying to get down as far as Chartres, which will be around 11pm, does anyone no of anywhere to stop around this area so late at night?

 

[blacko]

Was going to try and get as far down as Chartres if possible which should be around 11pm. Does anybody no of anywhere to stop at this time of night in this area

 

[ValA.]

On the N12 between St Remy sur Avre and the Dreux by-pass (which is a bit north of Chartres) there is a place where lorries obviously stop overnight. It does cheap fuel, too. It's called Le Bois de Vert, and there are petrol stations on either side of the road. If you use Google maps, then the satellite view you can see it quite clearly.
We HAVEN'T stayed there, and I have no idea what it's like as an overnight stop, so I'm not recommending it, merely pointing it out.
I can't say we noticed anywhere else between there and Chartes where you could stay - but I have seen posts where people have stayed overnight in supermarket car parks - not something we've ever done.
You can almost use Google maps these days as a 'Spy in the Sky' to see if you can spot suitable stopping places along the way, and if you use the 'flying' view (which might make you car sick whilst using your computer, it's so realistic) you can do the journey in double quick time to have a look along the route.