Over night stop in France

P

Popey

Senior member
Tomorrow we set off back into France on our way to the ferry.

I would like an overnight stop about halfway through France (within 6 hour drive to Calais).

We are currently in Barcelona (wacky races on the roads here). We stayed in Vierzon on the way but would like a change.

I'm thinking of going east of Paris, Lyon to champagne? Just to avoid the same route and see as much as possible.

Any recommendations?
 
Reims , I've never been myself to be honest but you'll get some good pics at the old track buildings .
Mulhouse is worth a visit for the Bugatti museum but probably a bit to far over .
If I'd been down there you could have stopped at mine in sarlat , but your a few weeks early for me .
Just a second thought on Mulhouse that may tempt you to visit , walk around the museum then go out the back to the test track where you can hire the cars for 50 odd euros for a few laps , we took a c1 corvette and a Porsche 356 roadster round , there was also a Ferrari mondial convertable , a 3000 Healey and a couple of others . If your going that way up the country view the millau bridge from underneath , don't just drive across as its a non event .
 
Loads of options from Barcelona to Calais
This time of year being peak French hols I would stay away from the usual routes via Paris & Lyon :?
Head up the west coast leaving you a few options depending on how long you want to drive to get to your stopover & how long to get to Calais

These are all great places to visit with boats , harbours , shops ,restaurants & hotels for staying over

La Rochelle 7 hours drive followed by 6hrs 30
St Malo 10 hrs then 5hrs
Honfleur 12 hrs then 2hrs 40

The other bonus is the west coast autoroute is virtually toll free from La Rochelle to Le Havre ( approx. 300miles via Rennes) then around 20 euros for the 200miles up to Calais :thumbsup:
 
Hope you're not going via Dover as it looks to be a bit of a nightmare with delays at the moment :cry: I think I would rather fly and hire a car :|

Tim.
 
I'm currently in Barcelona, I'm told going into the UK via Calais to Dover is ok.

I like the look of splitting the route 7 hours the 6.5!
 
We are currently just north of Bordeaux and stopped Friday night in Tours. I think it was about a 5 hr steady drive from Calais in traffic via Rouen then Le Mans. Not the nicest city as very industrial but right on the A10 so handy :thumbsup:
 
Le grand hotel in Le Mont Dore is a good stopover and a nice town.

Further north the Auberge Moisson in Matougues is very nice, was there last week. It's just south of Reims.
 
If your shying off the east route because of traffic , most of it will be heading south , you could cut straight across Spain and do San Sebastián or Biarritz , both are stunning but a little expensive , your 9 hours away from Calais at Biarritz but it's an easy if somewhat boring drive up .
 
Pastry said:
We are currently just north of Bordeaux and stopped Friday night in Tours. I think it was about a 5 hr steady drive from Calais in traffic via Rouen then Le Mans. Not the nicest city as very industrial but right on the A10 so handy :thumbsup:
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There's nothing wrong with Tours the centre is lovely around Place Plumereau & you will find plenty of hotels there. I lived just to the north of Tours in La Membrolle for nearly 10 years so know it well. If you're stopping in the Loire Valley though I would stay in Chinon - very beautiful town with the benefit of excellent wine too :thumbsup:
 
Paulwirral said:
Reims , I've never been myself to be honest but you'll get some good pics at the old track buildings .
Mulhouse is worth a visit for the Bugatti museum but probably a bit to far over .
If I'd been down there you could have stopped at mine in sarlat , but your a few weeks early for me .
Just a second thought on Mulhouse that may tempt you to visit , walk around the museum then go out the back to the test track where you can hire the cars for 50 odd euros for a few laps , we took a c1 corvette and a Porsche 356 roadster round , there was also a Ferrari mondial convertable , a 3000 Healey and a couple of others . If your going that way up the country view the millau bridge from underneath , don't just drive across as its a non event .
Click to expand...

I've been to Mulhouse in 2014 and it's tremendous. I'm going back again this year via the Germany trip (from Staufen im Breisgau)
Had the OK from Mrs K :D
 
mr wilks said:
Loads of options from Barcelona to Calais
This time of year being peak French hols I would stay away from the usual routes via Paris & Lyon :?
Head up the west coast leaving you a few options depending on how long you want to drive to get to your stopover & how long to get to Calais

These are all great places to visit with boats , harbours , shops ,restaurants & hotels for staying over

La Rochelle 7 hours drive followed by 6hrs 30
St Malo 10 hrs then 5hrs
Honfleur 12 hrs then 2hrs 40

The other bonus is the west coast autoroute is virtually toll free from La Rochelle to Le Havre ( approx. 300miles via Rennes) then around 20 euros for the 200miles up to Calais :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

La Rochelle was the winner! What a stunning place to spend some time on our trip. Just back Calais now waiting on the ferry.

Have to say it's not been been cheap but it as been great!
 
Popey said:
mr wilks said:
Loads of options from Barcelona to Calais
This time of year being peak French hols I would stay away from the usual routes via Paris & Lyon :?
Head up the west coast leaving you a few options depending on how long you want to drive to get to your stopover & how long to get to Calais

These are all great places to visit with boats , harbours , shops ,restaurants & hotels for staying over

La Rochelle 7 hours drive followed by 6hrs 30
St Malo 10 hrs then 5hrs
Honfleur 12 hrs then 2hrs 40

The other bonus is the west coast autoroute is virtually toll free from La Rochelle to Le Havre ( approx. 300miles via Rennes) then around 20 euros for the 200miles up to Calais :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

La Rochelle was the winner! What a stunning place to spend some time on our trip. Just back Calais now waiting on the ferry.

Have to say it's not been been cheap but it as been great!
Click to expand...

It is a treat of a place , easily spend a couple of days there .
Pity you didn't have enough time to get over to the Il de Re just north of La Rochelle , that is a gem reached by bridge

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Glad you got home ok & the car's mechanical woes didn't strand you or spoil your holiday :thumbsup:
 
Maybe next time, we both agreed we want to go back.

I'm seriously considering a E89 35is after these issues. See if I feel the same once it's sorted.

Also picked up some damage to a "fang" and the front splitter (debris hit it from an exploding trailer)
 
La Rochelle is nice, I camped over there many years ago. Hmmm, I think I have next years invasion of France destination now, cheers!
 
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