Would you take your 'van round le peripherique ?

[stubob]

Hi All

We are going to the Loire area with our 'van this summer and the obvious route is via Paris and the notorious road above. Has anyone experienced travelling on le peripherique with a 'van in tow and would you recommend it or an alternative via Rouen/Aberville

 

[ThePlotter]

I have towed around the perepherique many times and never had a problem at all and not seen what the fuss is about,so long as you miss peak times and thus miss the traffic I found it easy especially if you make a note of all the junction names so you know that your exit is the next one.

That all said others including Cris will say the other route is easier,you pays your money and takes your choice.

 

[Bryan_5064490]

Stuart

Went round the peripherique last year for the first time with a van in the middle of rush hour, found that if you try not to let the traffic get to you and just take your time you will get there of course there will be plenty horns going but a friendly wave by you will help to calm them down.

Have fun bryan.

 

[Stewart2]

I also went round it for the first time last year with the van. Even though I'm an experienced driver I have to admit to being nervous. My advise to anyone is to use Sat Nat and to trust it. I did and safely came out the other side unscathed. In truth it would be very easy to lose you way on it.

 

[JamesFrance]

Hi Stuart,

Not sure where you are starting from, but even from Dunkerque we wouldn't go anywhere the traffic of Paris.

After Abbeville the autoroute is free to Rouen (where you do not cross the Seine).

Then lots of dual carriageway now to Evreux, Dreux, Chartres, Chateaudun, down to Blois or wherever you choose.

James

 

[smiley]

If you go via Abbeville and Rouen they have the A28 open all the way down to the Loire.

 

[GillC1]

Stuart

We took our van down to the loire for the first time last year minus sat nav. Got totally lost ended up on peripherique and managed to get off at totally the wrong place, took a caravan down road that caravans should never go down. Not a pleasant experience. I consider myself to be quite a good map reader, but i must have just had an off day.

So this year we are going the Rouen route. Good Luck

 

[JohnW1]

Hi Stuart,

We travelled South via an alternative route but returned using the Peripherique.

I agree with mos tof the previous adivce. Don't let the traffic get to you and if you have it use your Sat Nav. While on many occasions this will try and send you on routes that are patently unsuitable for caravans it worked well for us on the Peripherique which as someone has already mentioned can be confusing with the signs.

Personally if i didn't have it, I would choose an easier option and probably will when we return this Autumn anyway. After all it's supposed to be a relaxing hobby.

Nick

 

[TonyAsh]

Yes, done it several times but you need to make sure that you know where your exit is, it can be confusing and very busy. I found that on some stretches the inside lane becomes a slip road for an exit and getting into lane 2 can be a real nightmare, no one gives way and speeds can be high. Also traffic enters in front of you or changes lane without warning. If you try it then be prepared for white knuckles and sweating palms.

One French driver was very friendly towards me, he gave me a wave with the tips of his thumb and middle finger touching, forming an O shape, and waved at me from his wrist.

 

[Scottishlass]

Hi, we considered and discounted this route after a major 'bouchon' last year. However one poster suggested an alternative route around the Francilienne A140 outer motorway which looks much more preferable but similar mileage. If you're interested let me know and I will copy her precise directions in. Liz

 

[cooky1]

Been round the Peripherique a few times and had no problems. As long as you do your homework before hand and have a good map amd a good navigator you should have no problems, it's no worse than the M25 - except for the French drivers!

Good Luck.

 

[OldBean]

If you're travelling from Calais then the A104 (Francilienne) outer ring road is much preferable to the Peripherique. You can do the whole thing from Calais on the autoroute, taking the junction off to Charles de Gaulle airport, then follow the A104 signs right around to the A10 and bob's your uncle - next stop the Loire. It appears a long way round, but on average takes less time because the traffic is 'fluide' rather than 'bouchon'. It has been newly signposted but you'll need to follow signs carefully, sometimes it doesn't appear logical in terms of British signing - and is being upgraded because it's now a popular route. At one time it was a serious of other road numbers, which didn't quite link, so following it was quite difficult - now it's easier than the peripherique and much less 'hairy'. There are also some cheap easily accessible petrol stations which we've marked on a map - you can get into them with car/caravan and they charge supermarket type prices!!

 

[stubob]

Hi, we considered and discounted this route after a major 'bouchon' last year. However one poster suggested an alternative route around the Francilienne A140 outer motorway which looks much more preferable but similar mileage. If you're interested let me know and I will copy her precise directions in. Liz

Hello Scottishlass

I can probably work it out, but I would appreciate it if you could let me know the route you took

Thanks

Stuart

 

[Keith_5121211]

Hi Stuart

Done the peripherique a few times but never again. Use the route to Rouen and the down to the Loire, the roads are good and it remoives the stress of Paris, after all you're on holiday.

Keith

 

[stubob]

Thanks Keith

I was coming to that conclusion - I guess its not worth the risk, I've already plotted a route using viamichelin and according to them it will take about an hour extra, but (rouen apart) avoids major towns.