Paris Périphérique Advice

buellzebub

buellzebub

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We're travelling down to the Millau region on Saturday and Google maps and TomTom are both directing me along the Paris Périphérique.
What's your advice regarding the Périphérique on a Saturday mid-morning/lunchtime? Should I avoid and go via Rouen and pick up the E5 South of Paris, or is it generally ok and free moving?
Also, I know filtering is not strictly legal but is accepted in France, but what about around Paris? I've heard the Parisian Police can see it as a money spinner, is this true?
Thanks,
Mick
 
Put your hazards on, follow the nearest scooter and hang on for the ride of your life :bounce1 :bounce1 :bounce1

ALL bikes filter on the Periphique, cars are generally with the programme and move over to create room.

I wouldn't miss it for anything and actually make a point of riding it when heading south :)

Andres
 
IMHO I would avoid it, unless you have a sat nav.

It's not like the M25 - more like the north/south circular. I'm not saying it's a nightmare, it's just not fun and you're on holiday, there are much nicer routes.

In fact stay off the motorways altogether and enjoy 'La Belle France' :beerjug:
 
Like using a mobile phone whilst driving, filtering is compulsory in France.
 
buellzebub said:
We're travelling down to the Millau region on Saturday and Google maps and TomTom are both directing me along the Paris Périphérique.
What's your advice regarding the Périphérique on a Saturday mid-morning/lunchtime? Should I avoid and go via Rouen and pick up the E5 South of Paris, or is it generally ok and free moving?
Also, I know filtering is not strictly legal but is accepted in France, but what about around Paris? I've heard the Parisian Police can see it as a money spinner, is this true?
Thanks,
Mick
Click to expand...

Did the same trip a couple of months ago and it was brilliant. When you get to Millau and you've done the bridge thing there is a road heading west that follows the river under the bridge which we took by mistake. It was stunning and went through some of the prettiest countryside I've seen. I think it was the D993. Give it a go if you have time.
 
buellzebub said:
We're travelling down to the Millau region on Saturday and Google maps and TomTom are both directing me along the Paris Périphérique.
Click to expand...

Then ignore the instruction and go a different way ;)

If you asked Google maps to do something as simple as: Avoid highways / Avoid tolls it would route to the west of Paris

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sadd...LJFw&oq=millau&gl=uk&dirflg=ht&mra=ls&t=m&z=6

Going via Rouen is an option. But what your Google map / TomTom probably won't tell is that there is a major road closure in the city, the Pont Mathilde being shut until 2014. The alternative route signposting is not good, so I am told. Rouen is never great at the best of times.

Seriously, sit down with a map if you really believe that you do not want to try the Périphérique and have now been put off Rouen.

Me? I would give it a go, not least as tens of thousands have done Paris before. Don't forget that much of the advice on UKGSer comes from (very well meaning) bods who won't go to London for fear of the M25 or indeed venture to any major city outside of Leicester or Leeds, for fear of being unable to park. Take what they tell you with a pinch of snuff.... and me for that matter. None of us can ever know what you can or cannot manage, only you do. But, it's a certainty that if you do not try you will never know.
 
it's often good fun in a hair raising kind of way. enjoy it, be bold :green gri

i'd avoid nowadays - can't be bothered. it's a mystery why sat navs are so keen to take us there?? drag your route south of paris via the motorway (near versaille IIRC).
 
Wapping said:
Going via Rouen is an option. But what your Google map / TomTom probably won't tell is that there is a major road closure in the city, the Pont Mathilde being shut until 2014. The alternative route signposting is not good, so I am told. Rouen is never great at the best of times.
Click to expand...

Rouen is best avoided at the moment. I saw loads of Brits driving around in circles trying to find the alternative route. The town is the vehicular equivalent of a Venus Fly Trap at present.

But I wouldn't go via Paris either for no particular reason than it's just not a pleasant experience. Besides, there are too many Frenchies that live there.

I might be inclined to try a scenic route via Beauvais, Vernon, Dreux and south across the plain towards the great gothic Chartres Cathedral - a far greater structure than the Millau Bridge.
 
Greg Masters said:
But I wouldn't go via Paris either for no particular reason than it's just not a pleasant experience.
Click to expand...

+1

It can be a horrible ride if you catch it at a wrong time....which could be anytime if you are unlucky enough....not so easy to filter on a loaded GSA as it is on the scoots the locals ride.

Find an alternative scenic route and enjoy a good ride with no stress:thumb
 
Thanks for the replies so far :thumb2
If it was me riding solo, it would be 'avoid highways & tolls' all the way! However, we'll be 2-up and making a dash to get to Millau so we can spend more time down there. Actually doing the whole ride in one go, not pleasant, but a means to an end. I'm not worried by the périphérique, I'd just rather not be sitting in traffic for hours on end if a) filtering is not allowed or not possible, or b) if there is a better alternative.
Wapping, I know you spend a lot of time over there so I respect you judgment, périphérique it is then!

Mick

livin' the dream
 
Outtomunch said:
Put your hazards on, follow the nearest scooter and hang on for the ride of your life :bounce1 :bounce1 :bounce1
Click to expand...

Agreed :D

Best time for me was late at night, on an Electra Glide Ultra (4 speaker stereo), with Kraftwerk filling my ears, and all the lights blurring into a psychedelic mess...
 
Peripherique

Simples.... switch off Sat Nav and just follow signs for Bordeaux. Then take your chosen exit. Its all well sign posted. :thumb2
 
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