Troyes to Limoges

[sven]

Can anyone recommend an interesting non-motorway route between Troyes and Limoges?

I'd prefer fast N-roads as I'll be on a heavily loaded bike (pillion + 2 weeks luggage), but want to avoid congested roads.

 

[Lord Snooty]

How about taking the N77 to Auxerre (twinned with my home town Redditch coincidentally), then the N151 to Bourges and then Chateauroux. From Chateauroux, if you want to a direct route then you will have to take the A20 for the last 70 miles as there is no direct alternate N road. You would have to take lots of D roads in a series of dog legs.

I can't vouch for this route in terms of interest as I have never done it although some parts of the N151 are highlighted green on my Michelin map.

 

[Wapping]

Can anyone recommend an interesting non-motorway route between Troyes and Limoges?

I'd prefer fast N-roads as I'll be on a heavily loaded bike (pillion + 2 weeks luggage), but want to avoid congested roads.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104516

Have a look at the Blue Michelin map mentioned. It will suite your purposes to the letter. You will be able to work out a very good route, basicaly a diagonal line across France. I have done something similar, Dijon --> Saumur --> Limoges and, separately, Limoges --> Le Puy --> Troyes without touching a motorway, using the Blue map on its own and / or with the Michelin 1:200,000map book.

Again, the 'Bis' holiday routes are first class and would match your desire for 'direct' non-motorway travel. At some point you are bound to hit some traffic, it's a long way after all, but I did Dijon --> Saumur in one hit, solo, no problem, in July a couple of years ago. OK, I was in a rush but two up with luggage it's an easy two day jaunt.

 

[Spikehammer]

Lord Snooty's route is good and doable in a day easily (275 miles ish')

You could also do Troyes-Orleans-Tours-Limoges, about 350 miles and lots to see. A good two dayer with site seeing on this route.

Depending on the time of year you could also go Troyes-Nevers-Montlucon-Limoges and take in either Bold'Or at Magny-Cours (Nevers) on the way... 290 miles this route.

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

I'd prefer fast N-roads

Very easy to get nicked on these now and most have a 90kph limit which makes for slow going. Be sure to carry cash to cover a fine if you do get nicked otherwise you could end up losing a lot of time.

 

[Wapping]

Very easy to get nicked on these now and most have a 90kph limit which makes for slow going. Be sure to carry cash to cover a fine if you do get nicked otherwise you could end up losing a lot of time.

He's right.

The French police are getting very active with their radar guns. We saw several bunches, a week or so ago, between Troyes and Dijon on the N (National) roads. Euro 90 a hit, plus a big fine if you cannot produce your driving licence, insurance document and V5 (log book) on demand. On the spot fine. If you cannot pay they take your passport and it's off to the cash machine. Still can't pay? They take your keys. It's a long walk back. If the oncoming traffic is flashing its lights (particularly before towns or villages) take care.


We also came across two more traps:

(1) On the motorway, just before the tolls outside Calais (heading north) - this is an old favourite.

(2) Just as you enter the ferry port at Calais. This is a new one. They hide in the concrete lane separator as the road splits left to take you to the port.

Work it out. They catch and fine a lot of Brit's speeding. Good revenue and no complaints from the locals.

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

They catch and fine a lot of Brit's speeding. Good revenue and no complaints from the locals.

They catch and fine local Brits also, guess how I know!
If Sarkozy gets in then it will become stricter, more power to him as the road deaths are down.