Any recommendations for the Atlantic coast?

[Deleted account Cooperman]

As an alternative to going through the middle, thinking of a costal route.

Saint Nazaire?

La Rochelle?

Rochefort?

Bordeaux?

Cheers

 

[Wapping]

Have a look at 80 Virees a moto and stich something together from that using a 1:200,000 scale Michelin map. The map shows ALL the roads including those Michelin has dained to label as 'scenic' with a green border.

 

[bladerunner]

Not my favourite route down.

You can have a nice run South from Le Havre through Normandy and hit the Loire. Then turn South West but it all gets a bit dull then (IMHO). The coast road to La Rochelle is very "Butlins" and you cannot see the ocean from the road, which slightly defeats the point. All you get is holiday makers trying to cross the road carrying reed mats (and little else for that coastline ;-) ) Bordeaux traffic gets a bit frantic too. Going North to South 50k or so inland - so Cognac way - is prettier but a bit long winded

I prefer D940 via Gueret, dip into Bergerac area then follow Dordogne west, fantastic towns and villages that way. Or use the new East/West autoroute if in a hurry.


but your choice of course

 

[Mr K]

Around Bordeaux we found it very slow and congested, concrete islands down the centre preventing overtaking, suicidal pedestrians...........A crowded Blackpool on a very hot day...

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

I prefer D940 via Gueret, dip into Bergerac area then follow Dordogne west, fantastic towns and villages that way. Or use the new East/West autoroute if in a hurry.

Looking for a scenic route from Cherbourg to the Pyrenees. Not in too much of a hurry with a planned 2 nights interim stops.

Thanks - I'll have a look at your suggestion

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Around Bordeaux we found it very slow and congested, concrete islands down the centre preventing overtaking, suicidal pedestrians...........A crowded Blackpool on a very hot day...

Thought this may be the case - and exactly NOT what I am after

 

[Wapping]

Have a look at my trip report down to the Pyrenees.

OK, it doesn't start at Cherbourg but you could adapt it.

There are also lots of other reports and threads, not least as it is a popular enough question.

Still arm yourself with the two maps:

Michelin 1:200,000 scale mapbook

http://www.bookfellas.co.uk/scripts/browse.asp?ref=206715561X

and

Michelin's excellent route planning map

http://www.bookfellas.co.uk/scripts/browse.asp?ref=206715656X

===

The first shows all the roads you will ever need to use. The second shows an easy way to join long distances up, using the very popular Bis Tourist routes. These are designed to help you miss the big cities (or get you swiftly past them) but still make good progress across a very big country.

You will have your trip plotted out in under an hour, using roads and taking in places, to a timetable that suits YOU.

Have fun.



PS If you are heading to the Pyrenees, it is often easier to catch the ferry to St Malo. It kicks you off at a sensibly early time in the morning, too.

 

[Riders Rest]

Not my favourite route down.

You can have a nice run South from Le Havre through Normandy and hit the Loire. Then turn South West but it all gets a bit dull then (IMHO). The coast road to La Rochelle is very "Butlins" and you cannot see the ocean from the road, which slightly defeats the point. All you get is holiday makers trying to cross the road carrying reed mats (and little else for that coastline ;-) ) Bordeaux traffic gets a bit frantic too. Going North to South 50k or so inland - so Cognac way - is prettier but a bit long winded

I prefer D940 via Gueret, dip into Bergerac area then follow Dordogne west, fantastic towns and villages that way. Or use the new East/West autoroute if in a hurry.


but your choice of course

+1 but stay more centered and take in the often missed Volcanic region Stay on the D940 down through Bourgenouff, Peyrat le Chateau, Eymoutiers, Treignac, cut over and through Muriac to Salers and ontto the D680 over Puy Mary, then Aurillac, Rodez and the Millau before cutting accross the Western Tarn to just south of Toulouse and over into the Pyrenees.

Some routes at www.motomassif.info in and around that area

 

[OscarIndia]

+1 but stay more centered and take in the often missed Volcanic region Stay on the D940 down through Bourgenouff, Peyrat le Chateau, Eymoutiers, Treignac, cut over and through Muriac to Salers and ontto the D680 over Puy Mary, then Aurillac, Rodez and the Millau before cutting accross the Western Tarn to just south of Toulouse and over into the Pyrenees.

Some routes at www.motomassif.info in and around that area

Was out there two weeks back - through the Auvergne. Love the fact the locals call it Terre de Motards but most bike tourists miss it straight out.

 

[(RIP) orbit]

+1 but stay more centered and take in the often missed Volcanic region Stay on the D940 down through Bourgenouff, Peyrat le Chateau, Eymoutiers, Treignac, cut over and through Muriac to Salers and ontto the D680 over Puy Mary, then Aurillac, Rodez and the Millau before cutting accross the Western Tarn to just south of Toulouse and over into the Pyrenees.

Or pop in for a cuppa en route

 

[bladerunner]

+1 but stay more centered and take in the often missed Volcanic region Stay on the D940 down through Bourgenouff, Peyrat le Chateau, Eymoutiers, Treignac, cut over and through Muriac to Salers and ontto the D680 over Puy Mary, then Aurillac, Rodez and the Millau before cutting accross the Western Tarn to just south of Toulouse and over into the Pyrenees.

Some routes at www.motomassif.info in and around that area

Couldn't agree more!Peyrat le Chateau, Eymoutiers etc fantastic biking roads. I discovered them through a french biking mag - that's where they often do bike reviews. The roads are perfect for biking and each village is real purdy.

One May I had to stand inside a bus shelter for 2 hours waiting for a fierce storm to end. the road was 4" deep with hailstones. Every time we popped our heads out there would be another very close flash of lightening! Eventually we made a break for it as it was getting dark. 500m lower it was fine.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

+1 but stay more centered and take in the often missed Volcanic region Stay on the D940 down through Bourgenouff, Peyrat le Chateau, Eymoutiers, Treignac, cut over and through Muriac to Salers and ontto the D680 over Puy Mary, then Aurillac, Rodez and the Millau before cutting accross the Western Tarn to just south of Toulouse and over into the Pyrenees.

Some routes at www.motomassif.info in and around that area

I wasn't sure I was really looking forward to the return leg up through France

However sitting down with the maps over the weekend, and using this route for inspiration, it's now an equal part of the trip

Sorted a couple of good stops out near Millau and La Souterraine.

Only a month to go

 

[Schtum]

Apart from Biarritz and Bayonne, the only point of interest on pretty much the whole of the West Coast of France is the ferry across the mouth of La Gironde from Le Verdon-Sur-Mer to Royan.

 

[wessie]

I wasn't sure I was really looking forward to the return leg up through France

However sitting down with the maps over the weekend, and using this route for inspiration, it's now an equal part of the trip

Sorted a couple of good stops out near Millau and La Souterraine.

Only a month to go

I look forward to your report. I'm will be heading to Cherbourg from Rocamadour as part of my anti-clockwise tour of friends' places in France. The route via Eyemoutiers had already been identified as the way to go to avoid the A20