Guys,

A non-RR related question... I've just booked the EuroTunnel with no idea on where to go after that.

Other than with school for day trips, I've never been to Europe and never driven on the wrong side of the road.

Going on the 26th at midnight, coming back midday 29th. that gives a couple of whole days there. Hoping to get down to the south of France and aim for either the Alps or the Pyrenees. We'll probably be camping.

For those more seasoned travellers - any tips any routes to go. Should I aim for the Alps or Pyrenees?

Thanks. 

There's a few threads already.....

Fluorescent jacket & triangle - and carry your insurance & V5

A FFRR will fit in regular height in lowered suspension mode - overweight is the same price, but less availability, so more impacted if there's a problem & delays

Make sure you have insurance & breakdown cover

Look into Telepeage tags - on a busy day, the toll queues can be huge and the tag only lanes flow quite well.

Alps is closer if you only have a couple of days, but either way is autoroutes most of the way & easy to do

Cheers,

Scanned through the recent (and older) posts to get an idea of other people's issues. Worked out the lower height, lots of people saying "wing it" but wanted to be sure lol. 3CM spare in access.

Will deffo look into the Telepeage tags

Any good spots to camp that shouldn't be missed?

Dan 

I'm not a camper - we have a static caravan 60 miles south of Bordeaux and usually ski in the Alps - so I do the trip regularly, but can't help with camp sites unfortunately

There is more headroom on the tunnel than on the barrier before boarding - I used to be very close with my L322 but no problems on the train itself. The L405 feels marginally lower, but maybe that I've just got used to it.

Dan, For the time you have forget the south or the Pyrenées. You will spend all your time in the car and be exhausted by the time you return.

It's very tempting but the distances are deceptive. On another thread re route to Bordeaux you can see that Andy3681 reckons on about 12 hours from the Midlands to Limoges and he does the trip regularly. The Pyrenées are a good 5 to 6 hours further south. We live about 40kms south of Limoges and a straight run to the tunnel is about 7/8 hours or so.

For a pleasant trip with time to see something I would suggest the Loire is your southern boundary. Normandy has much to offer as well as the Loire Valley. Much depends on your interests.

If camping, and you haven't yet booked, many of the villages have municipal camp sites which are of a good standard and reasonably priced.

An alternative is to look at hotels. They tend to be much more reasonably priced over here. And, unless you are looking for the Hilton, the 2 and 3 star ones are normally of a good standard. At this time of year you don't really need to book ahead. Also they are required by law to display their tarrifs outside so you know what you are looking at. Have the camping gear as a back up.

As you haven't done any driving on the continent you will find it fairly easy but there are some tips to follow. If you stop for fuel etc (away from motorways) try to use services on your right side of th road. Means you are less likely to pull out into oncoming traffic. Have a look at the AA site for some guidance. https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-Europe . Another reason IMHO not to consider the long distances as you will require a higher level of concentration, certainly at first.

Depends what you want but, if it is to spend a couple of days relaxing, then that's my tuppence worth. If, on the other hand, you want a blat down the motorway without much time to stop, ignore what I have said.

Whatever you do, have great trip.  John
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That makes a lot of sense - I regularly do Bordeaux in one hit, but it's tiring & I'm used to it - when we were first going we always did an overnight stop.

The Pyrenees are a long way....... If you want to go there - you might be better on the Santander / Bilbao ferry & drive from there ?

Great info there Weegie!

I'll take on board what you said about distance - I like the idea of hotels rather than camping but didn't want to spend a fortune - conversely it's great to know that there are regular campsites that one can just turn up at. I'm not a natural camper I confess!

I'm really nervous about driving on the wrong side of the road, I'll be OK as long as it's not too congested I reckon  

As Alastair has said, don't forget insurance. Don't rely solely on the EHIC I would get additional travel insurance to cover medical emergencies which can be more than EHIC will cover. It needn't be expensive.

The AA site gives speed limits but doesn't identify "built up areas". Other than signs with specific limits shown, when you enter a town or village the sign showing the village name on a cream background indicates the 50 kph limit. On leaving, the village sign with a diagonal line through it indicates the end of the 50 kph limit .

It will all fall into place. Don't be nervous just take your time. It will re-awaken the pleasure of driving (in addition to being in an FFRR of course ). John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Last edited by Weegie on 12th May 2017 5:36am. Edited 1 time in total

There are many options - but for hotels, I use accor.com - they have a number of different brands, but can find them by a map & see the relative prices - I often manage an overnight stop for around £50 - and then I'm off the motorway & so I fill up at a supermarket which can save me £20

Get a crit air sticker.

Not just for diesels, and you will need one if you are going into some cities

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic42354.html There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
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One thing that you need to consider, Dan, is, that booked at midnight, you will be arriving in the dark. Might not be the best time to be experiencing your first driving in France and being cream crackered the following morning isn't the best way to get the most out of your break.

In your shoes I would definitely consider booking an hotel not too far from Coquelles (tunnel terminal) for that night. The budget hotels are a good bet for an overnight and you can then decide what you are going to do for the other nights.

I see you are in Bude. Are you driving up from the there the previous day? John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Is it worth considering the Brittany ferry service from Plymouth to Roscoff? if iit is not too late to cancel the tunnel?
I certainly don't envy you the journey from Bude to The tunnel. G reg 2.5VM Vogue Portofino red 1991- 1999
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I havent driven much in France (used to work in Paris and Dunkerque), however on the weekends I had a hire car I didnt find it too bad, watch out for the 'car expoloding' warning signs on the Autoroutes, they are warnings of speed traps! Also, dont you need to take breathalyser kits with you in the car? At least two because if you use one you still need to have one in the car.

One are I did a bit of exploring was through Normandy (Trouville, Deauville, Honfleur, Bayeaux, Arromanche and down to Mont St Michel. Arromanches is interesting because of the WW2 artificial Harbour and of course the D-Day landings.

If you're into Motor Sport I've also been to Reims a couple of times to the old Grand Prix circuit at Thillois-Geux, not much there now except the old Pits and Grandstands though, but Reims is a nice place! Lots of Champagne makers there! And the Calvados from Normandy!

You could also try Portsmouth to St Malo on the ferry

If Mountains head for Alps as beautiful in summer and relatively close. Loads of really high spec campsites (and Hotels). The further East you go the quieter it gets. Austria is our favourite.

What weegie said ^ Orleans is a pretty area, for the few days you have I would go no further south than the loire
Tours Saumur etc.
Formula 1 ibis or chablis hotels cheap enough if basic.
Motorway tag more for frequent travellers.
enjoy your trip Mine was a blue one!