Driving to France

Caitykinss

Hello all,
After having to cancel our long saved up for (meaning no holiday last year) California road trip in June, my other half and I have been thinking about driving to France to stay for week-10 days in an Air BnB type cottage/holiday-let at the end of September/early October. I have health conditions, so we really don't fancy getting on a plane any time soon to fly somewhere, but we would really like to get away if possible.  We plan on taking the Eurotunnel, to avoid having to mix with other passengers. 

My other half used to do this type of trip as a child, but I've never done it myself - and nor has he for many years. I know many people do this kind of thing regularly, so I'm just after a bit of advice on where might be a good place to stay, and if anyone has any tips and tricks. Obviously the further south we go, the nicer the weather, but the longer the drive. We're in our 20s, but we'd enjoy somewhere quiet and rural, with nice scenery. 

Of course, we could just book somewhere in the UK, but where's the fun in that? 

Also, it goes without saying, this is all subject to everything continuing to improve and no second wave etc. We would likely book much closer to the time.

Thank you 

waamo

How far do you want to travel in one day? I've driven to the south of France and it's easy to do further than you would consider doing in England. There are few roadworks and the roads tend to be quieter.

In saying that it's nice to take it easy and go a scenic route. Avoid going round Paris though. That can be "interesting". If you want a nice scenic stop off we spent some time going round Orleans last time. That was well worth a day.

Caitykinss

I think the absolute max we'd drive in a day is 8 hours (split between the two of us). We could possibly make it a two night journey to get there, and two nights back if needed. I was thinking around 5 and a half for the first day to get from home to our first night stop (not including the crossing time). 

I'll have a look at Orleans, thanks.

jimbo6977

All depends on where you're starting from and what ferry (or tunnel) you'll use.

At the extreme it's possible to use an overnight ferry from Portsmouth and drive to the Pyrenees arriving in time for evening meal, but it's a long hit (12h) and not an interesting drive. 

From Calais the Loire valley is reachable, as is the Vosges, but closer still is the Ardennes area of Belgium (<4h from Calais).

Alfrescodave

My wife and I have enjoyed several holidays down the west coast /Vendee/ Loire valley where there is lots to see in addition to beach activities (if thats your thing). Ferry to Cherbourg makes it a pleasant days drive. Still doable via Eurotunnel but longer drive.

Caitykinss

We were hoping to do Eurotunnel, simply because we can stay in the car through and not have to come into contact with anyone else, but I did have a look at the Cherbourg ferry and it is a possibility - particularly if the situation has improved by then! We’re coming from Sheffield, so the drive down to the south coast is similar wherever we cross from, but will mean approx 4 hours of UK driving before we cross. We’ll definitely need an overnight in Northern France somewhere I think. 

witewabbitt

Hi there, We're planning to do much the same thing in September, for the same reasons. And our daughter regularly does this trip for their hols. They are in their 40's with a child. They get the tunnel and drive to Reims for an overnight stopover. They reckon that is far enough in one day, starting in the Midlands. That is only about 2 and a half hours on the French side, but there will be delays at both ends of the tunnel no doubt, and if you have driven from Sheffield, I would say that is far enough. But you might be happy to get as far as Dijon. We stayed somewhere near Reims overnight once, and there are restaurants in the man street that have outdoor seating. And the cathedral is beautiful. I don't know about Dijon at all except the motorway goes there. After that it would depend where you decided to head to. Google maps the co.uk version is very helpful as the directions are all in English and it gives you driving times.

I would strongly recommend as someone else has done, to avoid Paris, and also Lyon. The French all know where they are going, and you don't, and there is little tolerance on the roads. But the other country roads are great, very little traffic, and good signposts. SatNav is useful, and a good map, Michelin preferably.

Hope this is a bit helpful.

Ruth

Caitykinss

Thanks, I’ll take a look at Reims. 

Mrs_Soup

My inlaws have a holiday home in southern france (between Toulouse and the Pyrenees) and it is a long old slog to get down there.  We used to go ferry to Calais as husband gets seasick and that is the shortest crossing and then we would do the journey over two days with a stop at a B&B hotel (this is the name of a chain of motel type places not what we would think of as a B&B).  We are a 2 hour drive from Dover and would often stop around Rouen on the other side.   More recently we have done the overnight ferry crossing Portsmouth to Caen on which you can book a cabin for additional cost but would be away from everyone else except for getting to and from car deck.  That arrives early morning in Caen and we can get to inlaws by early evening - about 9 hours solid driving plus stops as we have children and we share the driving.  Before children we did it more of a tour and stopped a few days in Normandy then a few days in the Loire before heading down to the south.  Avoid Paris unless you plan to pop into Disney. I find driving on motorways fine - quieter and smaller than UK motorways- and the quiet really really rural roads near the inlaws but leave the city bypasses (eg Bordeaux) and towns to husband who is a more confident driver. We have a telepeage monitor thingy in our car so we use the automatic gates on the toll roads and pay later but its probably not worth it for a single trip as I think there is a standing charge for it. If you want chain places to stay en route then apart from B&B there is the Campanile chain which is nicer and Kyriad, all tend to be found in light industrial areas on the edges of towns.  Some nice Self catering properties in france including some with private pool- I've booked things through cottages.com before which makes it easy.

maman

If you decide to go any distance from the tunnel then I'd recommend an overnight stop. We've always been happy with the Ibis hotel chain. They are all over France (and in some places here) and I've found them clean and efficient and similar to Premier Inn. They do a good breakfast but if that bothered you, you can always buy something from the bakery.
You could book a week in a house/apartment and use the rest of the time to drive slowly down and back. 
Personally if you want good weather then go as far south as possible. 

zagfles

The Vendee might be a good compromise between weather and distance, loads to see and do there.

Make sure you read up on all the bureacracy like requirement for headlight converters, breathalysers, triangle, Crit'air certificate needed in some areas, and different road rules like town signs act as as speed limits, yellow diamond meaning etc. Worth getting a foot pump as garages often don't have air machines.

Get a zero fee credit card, especially useful for paying the motorway tolls as the CC queues are usually shorter, also for petrol as petrol stations are often unmanned so you have to pay by card.