Driving directions to france

scorpiolady

This year we've decided to drive to france, we will be getting the ferry to Calais and driving down to Lauzerte but when i get directions it sends us straight through Paris and i've been advised to try and avoid it, can anyone help please
Thanks

Fortyfoot

Just go round the ring road, called something like "the Peripherique"

I was told to stay in the second lane in while towing the caravan, may be a good idea anyway.

Fortyfoot

Incapuppy

Perhaps you could buy a European/French road atlas and choose a more suitable route? Call me old fashioned but I have been relying on road maps all of my life (including living on the Continent) and they have never let me down yet

cajef

Loads of ways to avoid Paris, as already stated buy a Michelin Road Atlas of France and plan a route beforehand.

DUTR

Incapuppy wrote: »

Perhaps you could buy a European/French road atlas and choose a more suitable route? Call me old fashioned but I have been relying on road maps all of my life (including living on the Continent) and they have never let me down yet

Maps are great, there is no denying that, you can make technology work to your advantage sometimes though as can the OP, on satnavs and many route planners you can specify to avoid places or roads, also a major benefit I use my satnav for is the traffic alerts, works great for the major corridors within towns and cities which a paper map is not going to do

spiro

I think that if you look at a map of France Paris is directly between the two places and most motorways radiate from Paris. You can avoid it but you wont be on the major roads. As already said, get a map, ideally a large open flat one rather than a book style because that will allow you to place a straight line between the 2 places and then work out how much you want to deviate.

borasiclint

We drive this route 4/5 times a year, not that difficult around Paris.
After passing Charles De Gaulle airport look out for signs for Bordeaux. Just keep following Bordeaux until you pick up signs for Orleans. Then straight down the A10-A71-A20. Keep your wits about you round Paris, sat-navs usually try to take you through the middle but finally understand that you don't want to do that about half way round.

aaronm_2

Good luck on your journey to France and have a good time there.

silverhairgranny

what about the AA and RAC route planner - with Avoid Paris.

codo

Have a search on this website or post a thread. There is lots of advice on driving through France. The general consensus is to avoid Paris, not just because of difficulty but sheer amount of traffic:

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_forum_topics.asp?ForumID=7

Stefano_2

Cityboy wrote: »

The following avoids Paris but is 40-odd miles further. Pretty much all motorways except for the D943 bit between Tours and Chateauroux which is about 60 miles-worth:

Calais to Abbeville via A16, A28 to Rouen, A13 then A28 to Le Mans & Tours. A10 briefly towards Bordeaux then D943 to Chateauroux. A20 past Limoges and Brive and off the motorway just south of Cahors. Seemples

Cityboy - I've driven many times to the Cahors/Lot region.

Firstly avoid the Peripherique (too busy/stressfull!).

You can go around Paris using an orbital route around the east of Paris. - Turn off after Charles de Gaulle onto the A104 and follow A104 and N104 all the way around until you pick up the A10 heading south to Orleans. however this is not a straight road around Paris. The A104/N104 is basically a route utilising several other N roads and there are a lot of intersections - you will need to concentrate.

Also you will be on toll roads (apart from the A104/N104) all the way from Calais to Vierzon.

I have found it best to go:

A16 Calais - Boulogne = free motorway
A16 Boulogne - Abbeville = toll motorway
A28 Abbeville - Rouen = free motorway
Rouen to Chartres via N154 Evreux N12 Dreux N154 Chartres = all free
Chartres to A10 junc 12 - north of Orlean
A71 Orleans to Vierzon = toll motorway
A20 Vierzon to Cahors - free until Brive

I'm assuming you will stop overnight? whichever way you go it's a long drive (too long) in a day.

If you choose to go via Paris A104 etc I can recommend the Novotel at Survilliers - north of Paris near J.7 of the A1. If you book early you can get a good deal - the rooms sleep 4, there is a nice open air pool at the hotel and some inexpensive restaurants nearby.
I've also used the Novotel at Orleans Sud (South) -by J2 off the A71- also has great pool.
If you go via Abbeville Rouen etc - I can recommend the Ibis at Chartres. central location but it has secure underground parking and a nice restarant with open terrrace where you can eat. A 10 minute walk up the hill to the Cathedral is a must - very famous the 2nd largest in France after thep Paris Notre Dam simply stunning inside and lots of restaurants around the square.

good luck and have a nice holiday

Stefano