///My Euro Road Trip (pics page 5)
- Thread starter Popey
- Start date
I've been driving across France and other west euro countries for many years and never had any issues. The roads and standard of driving is so much better than here. As long as you're "sensible" you wont have and problems. I find most people I've come across on my travels to be very friendly - so don't be put off.
If I was going from Northern French ports I'd use the motorway to Rouen as only partly toll. (7 euro?). I'd then go on the N154 across to Orleans as its free and a lot of duel carriageway. You can then use the A71 motorway all the way to Clermont Ferrand (25 euro) or use A roads, depending on how quick you want to get there. From Clermont all the way to Beziers on the A75 is a great drive and is free apart from the Millau Bridge (stop at the services just before the bridge for a great view of the bridge and valley). Beziers to the Spanish boarder via motorway is round 10 euro.
Fuel prices in France and Spain are cheaper than here currently (don't fill up on motorway) 1.23 euro France - 1.08 euro Spain. £600 would easily cover it for me for the return drive and driving round when there.
Hope you decide to go for it!
If I was going from Northern French ports I'd use the motorway to Rouen as only partly toll. (7 euro?). I'd then go on the N154 across to Orleans as its free and a lot of duel carriageway. You can then use the A71 motorway all the way to Clermont Ferrand (25 euro) or use A roads, depending on how quick you want to get there. From Clermont all the way to Beziers on the A75 is a great drive and is free apart from the Millau Bridge (stop at the services just before the bridge for a great view of the bridge and valley). Beziers to the Spanish boarder via motorway is round 10 euro.
Fuel prices in France and Spain are cheaper than here currently (don't fill up on motorway) 1.23 euro France - 1.08 euro Spain. £600 would easily cover it for me for the return drive and driving round when there.
Hope you decide to go for it!
Paulwirral
Active member
Taz said:
I have , car broke into just outside Barcelona in a sevice station when I was inside paying for fuel , twice had cars park behind me in french petrol stations as if they are waiting for me to move , plenty of other pumps free , in a zm coupe and caught them checking out what was in the back . Both times were Belgian plated cars .
I usually travel alone and need a sleep due to it being an 18 hour door to door journey hence I take precautions . I've been up and down through France for the last 15 years , usually 4 or 5 times a year so I'd guess the law of averages caught up with me .
Non baise avec moi voiture
my french is dreadful but it does the trick :lol:Paulwirral
Active member
Lance said:
He's also dropping into Spain , France is usually ok but best be careful . I've lived in both places and speak from experience .
Toll roads all the way and credit card payment for quick progress , millau bridge is shit unless you stop on the viewing point before , or better , take the switchback road all the way down to millau town for a good drive and look up while having a cold beer outside the hotel .
Keep an eye out for random small french cars at the side of the road , speed traps are common in unsuspecting places as well as the motorway and backed up by motorbike cops , you don't know until they pull you over and fine you
If the roadside cops indicate you to pull in when your in Spain do so , the Spanish cops have less of a sense of humour than the gendarmes , and that's saying something !
Give me a shout if you come back up through the dordogne , if I'm down there you can call in for a BBQ and a few beers
Paulwirral said:
Maybe a bit harsh but agree its somewhat of a letdown after a long drive as you get very little feel of the scale as you trundle across it (Pont d Normandy nr Le Havre leaves more of a impression imo :? )
I did the route into Millau 2 years running whilst the bridge was under construction & from below the sheer scale of the job really boggles the mind , still a good route down though for the volcano landscape
Paulwirral
Active member
One of my neighbours somehow talked me into plastering their house in Perpignan ! I took the offer up as it was basically a free one way trip to my house thrown in . A mate who came with me was looking forward to seeing the bridge and his comment was " was that it ? , I'm pleased we have something else to drive here for " .
We have Sanef tags for the odd trip down through France. https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
When travelling on toll roads during busy periods they've saved us a lot of time. I'm not sure whether it would be worth it for you - works out to about 10 euros for a single trip, which you could be spending on beaucoup de bière.
When travelling on toll roads during busy periods they've saved us a lot of time. I'm not sure whether it would be worth it for you - works out to about 10 euros for a single trip, which you could be spending on beaucoup de bière.
Dirty Tool
Member
Popey said:
I find the Z4M Nav dated, I just use my phone. But you might not have internet available on your phone in europe? In that case I would invest in a Garmin with european maps and speed camera warnings/traffic updates.
Hotel now booked in France for over night stay
https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/particulier-des-francieres.en-gb.html?aid=376362;label=booking-name-ocusVqu2ZjTBWS%2ADZp3_%2AgS62207028442%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2854%2C000%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atiaud-146342137270%3Akwd-65526620%3Alp1006727%3Ali%3Adec%3Adm;sid=55735d65aec429c9cb758d26a81576b8;dcid=2
https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/particulier-des-francieres.en-gb.html?aid=376362;label=booking-name-ocusVqu2ZjTBWS%2ADZp3_%2AgS62207028442%3Apl%3Ata%3Ap1%3Ap2854%2C000%3Aac%3Aap1t1%3Aneg%3Afi%3Atiaud-146342137270%3Akwd-65526620%3Alp1006727%3Ali%3Adec%3Adm;sid=55735d65aec429c9cb758d26a81576b8;dcid=2
Traveling south from Vierzon consider an early start towards Issoudun D918 - La Chatre D940 - By pass Gueret 0n D990 and pick up D982 south east of Aubusson - follow D979 south of Ussel. Nice area for mid morning break near the reservoirs north of Bort-les-Orgues (on the Dordogne). You can then pick up the D3 towards Murat and St Flour for a lunch stop before getting onto the A75 free AutoRoute south to the med. This leg should take around 4 hours (190 miles) and the roads are great quality, quiet and free! Been around this area a few times covering TDF stages.
The A75 will then take you over Millau Bridge and down to the Med and is a scenic and smooth motorway. Pick up the A9 AutoRoute to the Spanish Boarder and Estartit. This leg is around 240 miles (4 hours) but mainly motorway.
Its a great days drive and if the weather is kind you'll not be disappointed.
The A75 will then take you over Millau Bridge and down to the Med and is a scenic and smooth motorway. Pick up the A9 AutoRoute to the Spanish Boarder and Estartit. This leg is around 240 miles (4 hours) but mainly motorway.
Its a great days drive and if the weather is kind you'll not be disappointed.
Paulwirral
Active member
Vierzon , big town but not much life in it , make sure your in the centre as it's a long walk into town if your on the outskirts , you'll make in in around 4 hours from the tunnel if you avoid Paris