Recommend me a good scenic route from Calais to Le Mans...

[Pricey]

Chaps and Chapesses,

Off to Le Mans on our bikes for the Moto GP this year.

Went a couple of years ago for the 24hr car race. Found a reasonable route from Calais down to Le Mans. Headed down the coast and stayed in Le Treport overnight.

After Le Treport the route all went a bit Pete Tong and we did a lot of motorway riding.

Just wondering is anyone can recommend a good scenic route.

I know many say don't go via Calais, but we want to get the eurotunnel.

Merci beaucoup,
Jon.

 

[Mick-B]

Via Michelin

I don't know how good it would be but I went on www.viamichelin.co.uk, entered Eurotunnel 62231 Coquelles as a start, 72000 Le Mans as a finish, added Étaples as stopover 1, Route Touristique 76470 Le Tréport as stopover 2, selected "Sightseeing" as an option and the route produced looks (on "paper" at least) to be not too uninteresting... about 9.5 hours including 20 minutes on the Autoroute.

You could add anything close by as a detour along the way, if you have time, depending how much time you have...

Nothing wrong with Calais as a stepping-off point - and more convenient for you than, say, Hull-Zeebrugge.

 

[Pricey]

I don't know how good it would be but I went on www.viamichelin.co.uk, entered Eurotunnel 62231 Coquelles as a start, 72000 Le Mans as a finish, added Étaples as stopover 1, Route Touristique 76470 Le Tréport as stopover 2, selected "Sightseeing" as an option and the route produced looks (on "paper" at least) to be not too uninteresting... about 9.5 hours including 20 minutes on the Autoroute.

You could add anything close by as a detour along the way, if you have time, depending how much time you have...

Nothing wrong with Calais as a stepping-off point - and more convenient for you than, say, Hull-Zeebrugge.

Thanks for that. Not used "viamichelin" before so will have a look. Appreciate the reply....

Jon.

 

[Wapping]

Pricey, it's really easy with a half decent map, not least as it's only 320 miles in a near enough straight line SW from Calais.

I hacked this one out by simply stuffing a line into Google maps:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr...&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14&t=m&z=7

You can see that it runs near enough parallel to the motorway. That's the reason why they built the motorway where they did.... to take traffic off the country roads

The trick (if there is one) is to avoid Rouen and Amiens.

Sit down with your mate, plot it out and you are done Oh, and don't get lost next time

 

[LATE]

If you divert a little west, the D908 and D26 Carrouges to Alencon are well worth it

If you use TYRE, I've got a decent route from Calais to Beauvais and Le Harve to Alencon, that would make a good base to start with

 

[Pricey]

Pricey, it's really easy with a half decent map, not least as it's only 320 miles in a near enough straight line SW from Calais.

I hacked this one out by simply stuffing a line into Google maps:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr...&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14&t=m&z=7

You can see that it runs near enough parallel to the motorway. That's the reason why they built the motorway where they did.... to take traffic off the country roads

The trick (if there is one) is to avoid Rouen and Amiens.

Sit down with your mate, plot it out and you are done Oh, and don't get lost next time

Many thanks

 

[Pricey]

If you divert a little west, the D908 and D26 Carrouges to Alencon are well worth it

If you use TYRE, I've got a decent route from Calais to Beauvais and Le Harve to Alencon, that would make a good base to start with

Cheers

ps. What's TYRE ?

 

[Wapping]

http://www.tyretotravel.com/

 

[Bury_Dave]

Are you looking for a scenic, non motorway route to Dover too ?

 

[Pricey]

Thanks for the advice all... gratefully received.

One more question. We're thinking of staying in Rouen for the 1st night. Anyone recommend a biker-friendly hotel with secure parking?

Cheers

 

[Pricey]

Are you looking for a scenic, non motorway route to Dover too ?

We all live in the South, so will just shoot down to Folksestone for the Eurotunnel. Cheers

 

[wessie]

There are a couple of decent Logis hotels in Caudebec en Caux which is just to the northwest of Rouen, on the Seine.

I've stayed in this one http://www.normotel-lamarine.fr/ (not Logis anymore it seems) which has a courtyard at the rear which has a lockable gate. The food is excellent at the hotel or there is a bistro just around the corner. Tripadvisor reviews

Caudebec is a small market town and a nice relaxed place to stay. Hotels are easy to find unlike in the madness that you will find in the centre of Rouen. It's very close to a bridge over the Seine which means you can avoid the Rouen traffic in the morning. Then just head south on the D roads towards the National Park du Perche near Nogent le Rotreau which is just outside Le Mans

 

[Pricey]

There are a couple of decent Logis hotels in Caudebec en Caux which is just to the northwest of Rouen, on the Seine.

I've stayed in this one http://www.normotel-lamarine.fr/ (not Logis anymore it seems) which has a courtyard at the rear which has a lockable gate. The food is excellent at the hotel or there is a bistro just around the corner. Tripadvisor reviews

Caudebec is a small market town and a nice relaxed place to stay. Hotels are easy to find unlike in the madness that you will find in the centre of Rouen. It's very close to a bridge over the Seine which means you can avoid the Rouen traffic in the morning. Then just head south on the D roads towards the National Park du Perche near Nogent le Rotreau which is just outside Le Mans

Thank you sir. Much obliged. Will check it out...

 

[Tusky]

Oops, posted under the quick route thread first time round

Just a thought but why don't you do a round trip one way on the tunnel and one way high speed ferry Cherbourg - Portsmouth?

Should cost no more than £100.00 combined, gives you a chance to enjoy some Brittany/Normandy twisties and saves retracing your steps on the Autoroute.

Early and late sailings in late May I think