happy pilgrim
Registered user
having never done this trip? is it pleasant? how long on ferry? any ideas on nice roads/hotels, places to vist in that area of france. intending to go sept/october time for the odd 3-4 night break. thanks
plymouth -roscoff
- Thread starter happy pilgrim
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Lots of times.
Go for a night crossing if you can. You will have a nice early start to get through the 'boring bit' (the first 100 or so miles).
Head up to the Normandy region, lot's to see and do loads of history.
Britanny is ok but seeing where you are from it's too much like being at home for you.
Have a look through my blog (link below) some places to see etc.
Go for a night crossing if you can. You will have a nice early start to get through the 'boring bit' (the first 100 or so miles).
Head up to the Normandy region, lot's to see and do loads of history.
Britanny is ok but seeing where you are from it's too much like being at home for you.
Have a look through my blog (link below) some places to see etc.
happy pilgrim
Registered user
ok thanks , i will have alook at your blog.
how long is the crossing usually?
how long is the crossing usually?
These days (faster vessels) the day sailing is an average of 5 hours allowing for weather variations.
They slow down on night sailings to give more time in bed.
Last day sailing I made left Roscoff at 16.30 local and arrived Millbay Docks 21.30 GMT.
Night sailing is at 23.00 and arrives 06.00-ish. As I said earlier, the night crossing allows enough time to have a drink and maybe a bite to eat on board, then get a decent enough sleep.
Personally, I don't like the area around Morlaix, it's not particularly attractive. I usually have a quick blast along the N12, turn off it onto the N176 for Dinan. From Dinan the countryside gets much nicer, Mont-St-Michel nearby etc.
If you don't have accom planned, whenever you get to somewhere that you might want to stop, go to the local Tourist Info Office (well sign-posted) and you will find helpful staff. They will give you lots of info about local hotels, directions and leaflets.
Again a personal preference, it's better not to tie yourself down to being at a certain place at a certain time because of pre-booked accom. France (like most of Europe) is far better served by plenty of small, inexpensive but excellent family-run hotels. It's easy to find somewhere each day if you want the freedom to just suck it and see.
They slow down on night sailings to give more time in bed.
Last day sailing I made left Roscoff at 16.30 local and arrived Millbay Docks 21.30 GMT.
Night sailing is at 23.00 and arrives 06.00-ish. As I said earlier, the night crossing allows enough time to have a drink and maybe a bite to eat on board, then get a decent enough sleep.
Personally, I don't like the area around Morlaix, it's not particularly attractive. I usually have a quick blast along the N12, turn off it onto the N176 for Dinan. From Dinan the countryside gets much nicer, Mont-St-Michel nearby etc.
If you don't have accom planned, whenever you get to somewhere that you might want to stop, go to the local Tourist Info Office (well sign-posted) and you will find helpful staff. They will give you lots of info about local hotels, directions and leaflets.
Again a personal preference, it's better not to tie yourself down to being at a certain place at a certain time because of pre-booked accom. France (like most of Europe) is far better served by plenty of small, inexpensive but excellent family-run hotels. It's easy to find somewhere each day if you want the freedom to just suck it and see.
happy pilgrim
Registered user
thanks mike ,very useful and informative 
Cookson
Registered user
Have done that trip a few times & I agree with MikeP, a night crossing is great, nice & relaxed with a cabin, shower etc. You can have a food & drink & a nice kip, then start the day refreshed for your trip.
If the weather is decent it will be a good crossing, if it's bad weather skip the food & drink & keep a sick bag handy.
If the weather is decent it will be a good crossing, if it's bad weather skip the food & drink & keep a sick bag handy.
Nate
Registered user
Yep all of the above... Get the night ferry and have a beer and a snooze... Nice early morning to get up and bag some decent miles...
Choice of roads in the morning... Head East towards Rennes and then south
Or head over the South towards Concarneu and Venne and then pick up the coast road straight towards Nantes...
Either way the first hundred miles is boring but it picks up...
Cheers
Nate
Choice of roads in the morning... Head East towards Rennes and then south
Or head over the South towards Concarneu and Venne and then pick up the coast road straight towards Nantes...
Either way the first hundred miles is boring but it picks up...
Cheers
Nate
happy pilgrim
Registered user
thanks all, now all i need is some time off work 
MikeP said:
One of the best riding roads on the peninsula is from Morlaix to Huelgoat - stay off the N's and do the D's
Did it a few days ago when heading down to the Pyrenees from Roscoff, superb. Fast fast twisties , even with a full load of luggage, and superb views. My GF is from the South West and rated it as superb, okay she said it was a wee bit like Cornwall ,but better road surfaces! And the fact the route takes you through the very ancient forset of Huelgoat and gives a wee bit of shade in the temps there at the moment.
Also it is worth doing the Tuesday lunch time sailing on the way out and stopping to relax in Roscoff in the evening. Found getting a relaxed early start enhanced the rest of the days ride. Getting off the ferry the previous evening had meant a 30 min wait in a saune while we had "go" then " no go" messages to start the engines... also gives you a chance to stock up with vittles for a lunch stop near Carnac.
Admittedly the ride to Morlaix is a wee bit uninspiring , but as I said get off the N's and onto the D's and it becomes a real pleasure.
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