Morning all we usually pop down the east coast on our way to Port du Gard region but this time we are visiting friends in Bordeaux any suggestions for best route - no stops just tunnel and there well apart from petrol as always

I do this trip quite frequently - we have static 60 miles south of Bordeaux

Rouen - Le Mans - Tours - Poitiers - Niort - Bordeaux

The only other realistic option is via Paris & I've always got caught in traffic that way.

It's mostly motorway except through Rouen, but unless you're unlucky or hit a peak period, it's usually free flowing - then it's 100 miles of the quietest motorway you're ever likely to drive on

The Bordeaux Rocade ring road can get snarled up at peak periods too but otherwise OK

As above.

" then it's 100 miles of the quietest motorway you're ever likely to drive on"

You must be travelling on the A13 in the middle of the night, Alistair. . Though A28 south of Rouen does tend to be quiet.

I prefer Rouen too, although I then head for Chartres. I agree Paris can be a nightmare with traffic. If used it is pretty easy to navigate as the signs for Bordeaux start on coming in from the north. John
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A28 is the one I was referring to - I can often go the entire 100 miles without slowing down for anything - traffic so light that it's on the inside so you don't even have to wait to overtake.

The only problem is that it's so boring so not to be tackled whilst tired

Marvellous thank you and yes I try to avoid Paris as much as possible we are off on another house hunt and as yet haven't really given the west of the country a fair chance so really looking forward to it

I agree with all the above but avoid Rouen by going a bit further west & crossing the river at Pont de Brottonne.

I nearly always go the direct route via Arras and the A1. I do try to avoid Paris at the peak times but if you turn at the first junction after Charles de Gaul then follow the signs for Bordeaux like weegie said, I dont usually get much traffic.
Tried Rouen route then back onto the Autoroute at Orleans but that seems to take forever.
Best route I am trying to refine is via A16 and Beauvais but I cant seem to get the Versailles bit right. There is a height restriction that way in one of the tunnels so possibly not good if towing.
The advantage of the direct route is motorway all the way (to where I am going anyway) so just pay the toll set the cruise to 80 and rattle the km's off. I can usually do the midlands to Limoges in about 12 hours Bordeaux is another 3 hours.
enjoy your trip

Andy Mine was a blue one!

Last edited by Andy3681 on 12th May 2017 10:21am. Edited 2 times in total

I did tunnel to Malaga and back last week. Did what others recommend -

Rouen - Le Mans - Tours - Poitiers - Saintes - Bordeaux

What I will say is that there are a lot of road works on the A10 between Tours and Poitiers, complete with 70k limit. Quite a lot of traffic on the A10 too - was a bit irritating.

Otherwise plain sailing apart from the S/Cs 20mpg thirst!

I used to live in Niort and used to do:

Rouen - Le Mans - Tours - Poitiers - Niort

Bordeaux is pretty well signposted from memory. It's all much of a muchness though, because you can get stuck in traffic anywhere. Just heed the advice above give Paris a wide berth!