Best way to travel to south france

barginunter

I would always drive down. Take entertainment for the kids (DVD players etc). French motorways are great with loo stops every few kilometres. Driving in France is very easy - especially with a satnav. We always enjoy the journey as part of the holiday, stop in cheap over-nighters (Campanile etc). We were lucky as our daughter always slept much of the journey. Think of the plonk you can stuff in the car when you come back!

hugh_jarse

Hi all, I'm driving to South of France in July, ferry to Dunkirk then 2 overnight stops on way down (Beaune and Orange) but haven't planned the return journey yet. I've heard that August 1 is the busiest day on the French roads. I'm returning July 31 (saturday) - Any suggestions for alternate routes to hopefully skip the worst of it?

Thanks

hugh_jarse

Also open to suggestions for lunchtime-ish stops between Dunkirk/Beaune and Beaune/Orange - if anyone can recommend places with easy parking and not too far off the main routes. In fact any tips at all eg tolls/aires etc feel free - all gratefully received as its my first attempt at such a drive so need all the help I can get.
Thanks again!

Hugh J

knightstyle

Have a look at this site for predicted French traffic problems.
https://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/fr/IMG/pdf/Traffic_forecasts_for_2010_cle1dc317.pdf

hugh_jarse

Merci! Might have to rearrange our return so we're travelling back on the Sunday instead of the Sat as thats not looking good in that info you just posted knightstyle. Everyone I spoke to, including at least one French person, said whatever you do don't drive on Aug 1, everyone very specific about the date, so we schedule our return for the day before, and it looks like the Saturday will be worse. Oh well, a bit more planning required

jackomdj

dangers wrote: »

jackomdj - which site were you looking at in Languedoc? We only booked our Keycamp holiday in January and have the decking (definitely) and the air con (I think).

When I was looking I looked at about 4 sites for the dates we wanted.

In the end we decided to go with Siblu to La Carabasse.

Worked out quite well as they had a buy one get a week free deal & we are off to Brittany during the Easter holidays to a site with an enclosed pool...so if the weather is rubbish we will be swimming a lot.

Last year we went to Mar Estang at Canet Plage with Keycamp. Fantastic beach, really close to the site but the site had a LOT of teenagers...not that I am adverse to teenagers but there was some sort of "club" & it was not teenagers with their parents!!! Also the couriers were fantastic.

We are in Swindon, so not too far from Gloucester...I would say an overnight ferry from Portsmouth is the best ferry option for you if you go down that route.

Also Keycamp route planner will give you the toll price for your route.

HTH
Nicky

dangers

There is so much to see in the more northern part of Languedoc - try and visit Roquebrun which is north of Beziers - riverside lake - really beautiful. It has its own micro-climate.