Touring in France

[Gipsy]

Can't add great deal to what has been said already but just one or two hints the wife and I ( separate bikes ) have learnt the hard way. Autoroutes ( motorways ) are ok for making distance but very very boring. Despite what you may read elsewhere there are no time elapsed cameras between the toll booths, but often there are mobile units.
IMHO stick to the N routes ( national) or even better the D routes ( department ) The N routes often have lots of HGV's on them, but the D routes much less so. As already stated the Michelin maps can have a green line alongside particularly scenic routes and we have never been dissapointed when following them.
If it's the first time you might consider doing less miles in a day, actually being in France, rather than just passing through and heading off to the next destination.
Sundays are a pain for petrol but one of the Michelin maps no 726 is a large scale picture of the whole of France and it shows the petrol stations on the Autoroutes so it may be possible to detour towards one to pick up gas if necessary. It's a pain double over as the roads are really quiet on Sundays except for cyclists, and it's possible to have a bit of a play.
Only one other suggestion is to try and work out a system for the bike at the back to signal if it's got some sort of problem. Wife and I don't use an intercomm as neither of us like the idea of being disturbed mid bend! The bike behind used to switch of it's lights as a signal, but as they are now both permanently on we just switch on the nain beam as well and wait for the lead bike to pull over. Have a great time.

 

[Spikehammer]

The issue with fuel on Sundays is usually due to unmanned stations not accepting British credit/debit cards.
There is a way round this, open an account with a French bank.

I have one with Credit Agricole which gives me a French card, therefore no trouble with petrol...


Here is a link to CA, the account is called Britline.

Hope this helps.

http://www.britline.com/g1/

 

[Pathologic]

L'Orient

Have holiday'd on Brittany coast several times. One thing everyone agrees. don't go to L'Orient. Its a big naval base and industrial centre with nothing to see. North of it is great coast line. Have a look at Concarneau or South go to Vanne or Carnac, just use the autoroute and skip L'orient. Lots of traffic and no soul.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[Ash]

f1 hotels allover france,cheap,clean,and most with locking gates.
www.hotelformule1.com - book on line.
ive used them allover france,spain,belgium,germany,swiss,and amsterdam,
30-35 euruos per room+3.50 euro's for b/fast.
dont forget to turn sat nav to no toll roads and enjoy

 

[Python]

Thanks for the pointers re fuel, will see about a french account sounds a useful idea. I will also work out signals between bikes.....I scuba dive so use of hand signals for asking or telling things is useful. Was planning on using N and D routes most of the time...so thanks on that.

Off to a show at Olympia this Sunday for details on France etc....just want to work our now the nice spots to pitch up the tent around the normandy/ brittany coastline and down the western side of France.

My parents are going to be in Royan so we have somewhere to crash for a few nights already and are starting to gather details arriving Calais on the 9th then heading for Lisieux our first stopping point, St. Morlaix the second one and around Nantes for the third one.....before heading off towards La Rochelle...then onto Bordeaux.....around the south western corner of France.....then back up towards Royan......not sure from there. Somewhere back through the middle of France heading back up towards Calais so we can be around 50 miles out on Friday for an easy ride back in to pick up the Train mid afternoon Saturday 22nd.

Cheers all; you are so helpful.....

 

[JFC]

En route I would consider:

Bayeux and Falaise (William the conq's castle is worth a visit - glass floors (not original..) and stuff

Normady WWII coast has plenty to see if you are into that sort of thing

Mont St Michael is impressive

Dinan, in Britany v'good medieval town on river

Stones at Carnac - miles of them, puts stonehenge in the shade

Submarine pens at St Nazaire are interesting although town is bit industrial

Re GPS - useful, but not my cup of tea, I find it more fun / involving to plan and follow using paper then I always know where I am and where I'm going. With GPS I just follow the machine - never lost but never knowing where I am or where I'm going. However 'Find Nearest Hotel, Petrol etc.' function is great

My advice would be to get on the bike in the morning drive til the afternoon (not too late) get digs, lunch, walk about/visit attraction, shower, drink, eat, drink, drink... sleep and then repeat process - some variation is ok but it should be fun, big milages sometimes mean you miss out the walk-about / visit bits.

 

[jeeperz0]

petrol on sundays

I've found that the best way to get fuel at a credit card only petrol station is to wait til a 'suitable' french motorist comes along and offer him an equivalent amount in euros to put his credit card in the pump to buy your fuel. I have never been refused. The french people are like any other, very friendly on a one to one basis.

 

[madman]

Den,
Montingnac is just down the road from us, we shop there at least once a week. If you look at the blog there is a post there with pictures of the town. If you want to contact me (email is on the blog) I'll check out the gite for you if you want.

Python,
If there is just you and your other half then I can offer a free bedroom for a couple of nights if you give me a week or two notice. A quick tour would also be in with the (free) price, and so would some wine.

Bob
http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/

 

[Python]

Thanks a lot for all your advise and comments; well we now have the Euro Tunnel booked; and our first week is actually going to be at Normandy Beaches. Have decided on a single base and venture out each day - looks like we can visit quite a lot and will have enough to do on and off the bike!!

Then off down to Royan to spend a few days with the folks.

However, we have a couple of places we would like to see on our homeward journey and wonder if anyone could recommend bike friendly B&B's or Hotels in Bourges, Metz and Campiegne or near these places.

Many thanks in advance.

Jerome

P.S. Madman, many thanks for the offer - may give you a shout for a coffee when we are in the area if thats ok.

 

[madman]

Open house here for coffee or wine, even have an area of grass for a small tent if required.

Bob
http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/

 

[Den]

Den,
Montingnac is just down the road from us, we shop there at least once a week. If you look at the blog there is a post there with pictures of the town. If you want to contact me (email is on the blog) I'll check out the gite for you if you want.

Python,
If there is just you and your other half then I can offer a free bedroom for a couple of nights if you give me a week or two notice. A quick tour would also be in with the (free) price, and so would some wine.

Bob
http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/

Sorry bob.I missed that post. I will get in contact with you later.
Just in for lunch. Have to go. see ya.

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

If you want to contact me (email is on the blog)

http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/

Damned if I can find your email on your blog! Might just have a run up to see you once it warms up!

 

[evenflow]

Hi Python, I agree with the above..have stayed Logis evrytime I go..good value for money. If you must camp then buy the michelin campsite guide for france..worth the money. Also try this site:-
www.viamichelin.co.uk

 

[thornley]

Euros dropping against the £. Was 1.47/8 on high street. Today 1.44/5. 30 Euros lost against changing £1000. Keep an eye on the exchange rate and if you can buy in advance you will gain the price of a few beers. Rates will continue to drop to about the last three Summers norm of 1.40. I always transfer for the coming years bills in the January usually best tourist rate time.

 

[madman]

For those that might be in the Dordogne region in the future, my email address is at the top right corner of my blog. OK then don't look, it is a personal email address as I do not run any money making business and it is bikesindordogne(at)yahoo.co.uk.
Bob
http://bikesindordogne.blogspot.com/

 

[redmagpie9]

Hi! My wife and I have been touring France for several years now and we swear by the Logis de France accommodation, they are mostly family run hotels in small very 'French' villages where you get a real taste for the fantastic French way of life. Stayed in them every night of every trip every year and never been disappointed. If you're heading down the west coast make sure you go to Ile de Re and Ile d'Oleron (two small islands off La Rochelle), they are stunning. My wife plans the whole trip before we leave and books each nights accommodation with approx 150 to 200 miles travelling per day. We always get the French Motorail one way to save having to blast through the country to get where you want to be but it is quite costly.
You will not be disapointed, whatever you do, wherever you go in France is FANTASTIC!! Travel very light as nothing worse than having to lug loads of stuff on and off the bikes everyday! (Learnt through experience!!). Also, as the other guys have said, make sure you have a full tank of petrol on a Sunday morning!!
Our kitchen table is covered in maps and guides as I type...the wife is planning this year's trip now!
Enjoy!