Travel from Barcelona to Toulouse

[Michael_374349176]

Has anyone any information about travelling from Barcelona to Toulouse by way of Andorra?

We are thinking about our holiday in May/June. It is our intention to travel leisurely down through the centre of France to NorthEast Spain, Barcelona being the furthest point South.

I like to return by a different route and am thinking of travelling back up the Western side, via Bordeaux, Le Mans, and Dieppe.

If we can cross the Pyranees, some where near to Andorra, it will save us quite a few miles. On the map it looks feasable, but there can be a world of difference between a map and what the road is like in real life.

I should say that we have a Sterling Europa which we tow with a Ford Mondeo, so no 4x4!

Would we be wise to travel this route, or would it be best to stay on the coastal autoroute?

Any information will be appreciated.

Michael - Derbyshire

 

[oldievanner]

Been this way several times,there is very good road up and down, there are quite a few hairpin bends, but you are climing 10,000 ft!There is a tunnel through the high bit called Tunnel De Cadi on the C16 road, which is part of euroroute E9 from Toulouse To Barcelona.This is a toll tunnel but cuts out the high bit. It is on the Spanish side and is about 3 kms long, The last time we went-2008-the toll with a car and caravan was about 10euros. There are numerous camp sites in Andorra.I can recommend Sante Creu near Canillo on the main road from Andorra La Vella near Eucamp.A bonus is the petrol/diesel is some of the cheapest in europe,on a par with Luxembourg.

 

[Garfield]

have travelled to Andorra almost every year for past 20 years, the highest point of the road is about 7000ft if you take the tunnel, the road is a long gradual climb rather than being very steep and the full size coaches from Toulouse and Barcelona manage the corners so a Mondeo and caravan ( so long as it's not a 30' hobby!!!) should be ok as long as the cars cooling system is in good order (read my post under trapped in this section!)

 

[Michael_374349176]

Thank you for that information, from what you say, it seems as if there is no problem in crossing the Pyranees at this point. How long should I allow for the journey from Barcelona? Will I need to make a stop before Toulouse?

Her indoors who does all the navigating (she's my sat-nav because she sits there navigating!) says that we are only travelling 200 miles between stops on this trip! Hence the leisurely trip down through France.

Anyway I can at least start planning our trip.

Michael - Derbyshire