Calais to Cognac

[Paul Wakefield]

We've decided to visit some friends near Cognac next week. I'm virtually decided on travelling to Calais and then down. Have considered Cherbourg but available ferry times don't seem to work very well and I'd rather be riding than in a boat.

So has anybody got any tips on specific routes, places to avoid, places to see. We are not in a tearing hurry. Going to spend 2 to 3 days going down so I intend to avoid Autoroutes and large towns and have zero intention of going anywhere near Paris (I envisage staying well West).

We are intending to find Logis to stay in but any recommendations welcome.

Are we mad going from Calais? Is Cherbourg that much beetter? I realise the first 100/200 miles is likely to be in fairly boring countryside - Still it could give me the opprtuinty of giving the RT's cruise control a good exercise.

Paul

 

[Deleted Member Mtn]

why not get the tunnel and take a leisuerely drive down the coast via montrueil to Abbeville and Rouen

stop over there and then carry on to Cognac via Alencon , Le Mans and Tours
then re join the motorway south of paris....

or even go via Rennes and Nantes and rejoin the motorway south of Poitiers.....

some of the roads arent big...but they are beautifully straight a lot of the time and tree lined much niocer than those nasty autoroutes...
if you're late coming back...just get straight on the A10 and attack the boulevard perieferique round Paris......

 

[Barrie]

Cognac is about 8 hours ride from Calais, so if you are going to take two or three days you might like to stop near the Loire, about 10 days ago I was coming north and stopped 15kms from Saumur at Doué la Fontaine, safe parking, comfortable rooms best of all excellent chef/restaurant €19.99 for terrific dinner at the Hotel Dagobert, Room €50
Barrie.

 

[Paul Narramore]

Be warned, the Boulevard Peripherique is not for the feint hearted. I've not been on it for a few years now but the first time was certainly an experience. Four(?) lanes of very fast driving mostly in a wide trench around the city. The second time I stayed at the posted speed limit and the junction (Ports) came along at a more sensible speed. I avoid it now like the plague.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Thanks for you ideas folks. I can see a plesant evening with the map and a bottle of plonk coming on followed by an attempt to book Barrie's hotel recommendation in atrocious Franglais.

Be warned, the Boulevard Peripherique is not for the feint hearted. I've not been on it for a few years now but the first time was certainly an experience. Four(?) lanes of very fast driving mostly in a wide trench around the city. The second time I stayed at the posted speed limit and the junction (Ports) came along at a more sensible speed. I avoid it now like the plague.

I had a similar experience - never again (well not deliberately anyway)

Paul

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Thanks for your advice folks. Had an excellent holiday though 36C in ATGATT was a challenge (previous highest was 33C on a trip to Italy a while ago). Basically followed Matron's route but I think only did about 80 miles of dual carriageway (leave alone Autoroute) in the whole week. Only 5 minutes of rain.

Hotel Dagobert was excellent so thanks for that Barrie.

One to add to the list: Auberge du Vieux Donjon at Brionne which is South of Rouen. Rooms are very basic but clean (only a couple are en suite). The food though is simple but quite excellent. Specialises in seafood but their meat was good too. Heavily frequented by the Fench so a good sign. Secluded Private parking.

One amusing moment. Leaving in the morning and smoke was pouring from the garage next to the one the bike was parked in. Much concern from sundry assembled Frenchmen. Owner appears and gets everybody to calm down. "C'est normale"! All was revealed a few moments later as Chef appeared with racks of fresh salmon to be smoked. Its that sort of place.

Paul

 

[Vendome 41]

Peripherique a bit of piss if you stick to the middle lanes and with the pace

Loire vallee stay
www.La-borde.com

English spoken safe parking and may be garaging if the old man has a good day
Couple of very good restaurant down the road