Spain / France Idea,s Needed

[Our Gee]

Just looking at a different way of "Doing" France next year, probably around May time and was thinking of taking the Brittany Ferry to Santander, spending a few days in the Area between Santander and The French border then crossing into France, probably having a look at Biarritz then continuing north up the Atlantic Coast, some time in the Loire Valley Area and ending up at one of the Western Channel ports such as St Malo for a crossing back to the UK. Duration will be up to 2. 1/2 weeks. Any Suggestions as to Routes, Places to stay and things to see will be most appreciated.
Thanks. Mike Tee.

 

[Paul Rochdale]

Mike

It seems a shame that as you'll be in the area, you'll be missing out on the Pyrenees. Why not spend a few days riding some of the passes such as the Col du Tourmalet before coming off the mountains and riding through France. The Vendee north of Bordeaux is pretty flat and featureless. Everybody should visit Oradour-sur-Glane at least once in their lives and what about Rocamadour and Sarlet too?

 

[Jaws100]

If your going into Santander you should definitely try for the Picos De Europa mountains, Cantabria which are only about 100k S/W of Santander.

 

[Janz]

Mike

... Everybody should visit Oradour-sur-Glane at least once in their lives and what about Rocamadour and Sarlet too?

What is special about these places, Oradour looks like a bombed out ghost town from Google Map pics, what went on there?

 

[Jaws100]

Oradour-sur-Glane in the Haute-Vienne Department of France, on Saturday the 10th of June 1944. The attack was carried out by soldiers of the Der Führer Regiment of the 2nd Waffen-SS Panzer Division Das Reich. On that day they killed a total of 642 men, women and children without giving any reasons for their actions and to this day there is no universally accepted explanation for the massacre.

http://www.oradour.info/

 

[Paul Rochdale]

I visited Oradour-sur-Glane a few years ago and found it an extremely moving experience. Just read up about it. It was supposedly a revenge assassination after a high ranking German officer had been killed days earlier.

Rocamadour is a mountain village almost glued onto the side of a ravine and Sarlat is a wonderful medieval town where historic movies are sometimes filmed. If you like ancient buildings, cobbled streets and atmosphere (shame about the tourists) then this is for you.

 

[Wapping]

Just looking at a different way of "Doing" France appreciated. Thanks. Mike Tee.

I did very nearly the same as you in reverse but without the sea voyage.

You might think about.

Cross to Santander. Hang a left and ride towards the Pyrenees. Then, quite literaly, ride along the top of the Pyrenees, west to east. I caught up with the Tour de France at some point but you will be too early.

By the end you will be near enough around Perpignan. Then cut a diagonal trail, roughlt NNE Fumel, Cahors, Bergerac, Nontron, Poitiers (I'm looking at a very large scale map) Saumur, Le Mans....Caen / Chervbourg or wherever.

 

[fuddy]

If your going into Santander you should definitely try for the Picos De Europa mountains, Cantabria which are only about 100k S/W of Santander.

I spent 3 1/2 days in the picos,it was biking heaven.Buy michelin 572 regional
map from wh smith. I stayed in Potes this is a good base for all the mountain roads.

 

[Our Gee]

Thanks for the suggestions Guys. Including the Pyrenees does seem to be a good option so we may go for that. We have done The Dordogne before and Oradour-sur -Glane so we will be looking for another route North. The weather in the Dordogne was the wettest we have ever had on the Bike !!. Still I suppose lush green valleys need a regular watering.
Mike Tee