We arrive Calais 9am in the morning from the UK. Feel it would be difficult to drive to Bordeaux without an overnight stop somewhere. Although the driving time is 9-10 hours, given that it is peak summer with clogged roads, it is likely to take longer. We also want to avoid Paris. Looking at the map, the Loire is halfway to Bordeaux from Calais. Where should we stay - Angers? Saumur? Tours?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33810 posts
driving over in your own car?
If you have been on a ferry for an hour and a half with a 60 minute check in you will have been doing crossing stuff since 5am.
I'd be plenty bushed, even spending the 90 minutes in Irish Ferries Club Lounge, so I wouldn't want to drive much more than 3 hours in France that day.
I'd use the A16 - A28 - A10.
2 and a half hours would get you to Rouen.
The next logical stop is Le Mans which I would expect would be 2 hours further, too much for me after a crack of dawn start.
So I'd suggest Rouen.
How much driving will you be doing on the English side before the crossing? (something I do often)
Posted by
Wynnewood, PA, USA
275 posts
Betty, I'd imagine that you will be driving on the south-bound autoroute(s) that skirt Paris and are quite a bit east of the chateaus along the Loire (isn't Blois the most eastern?). Why not consider Troyes or Dijon as an overnight stop?
Posted by
OP
4 posts
We are London based, so London-Folkestone. Allowing for three hours (two hours driving+onehour) so will have to leave home at about 4.30am for a 7.30am shuttle. Two will be sharing the driving.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Want atleast day and a half to two days in Bordeaux to visit one or two wine chateaux.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Further Clarification. Our end destination is Lisbon/Setubal where we will be based and will tour Portugal. So really looking for somewhere nice to rest and relax enroute. We definitely want to do Bordeaux, San Sebastian before going into Portugal and Lisbon. We leave UK on Monday early morning to take the shuttle to Calais. Want to be in San Sebastian for Thursday.
Will go back to Calais after Portugal for the shuttle back home to the UK. Leave Portugal Aug 31 and booked on the shuttle on Sept 3 afternoon. Thinking Salamanca, Valladolid, Burgos, Bergerac. Stop in San Sebastian, Bergerac, Rouen....and then to Calais for shuttle. Too ambitious? Crazy?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33810 posts
I can't posit on stuff south of the Loire - I always go east or east and south.
My confusion was when you said Calais, which I associate with the boats. I use Coquelles when thinking of the Eurotunnel (which I prefer but too expensive these days).
Nevertheless, a long day before you reach Rouen, where Monet painted the Cathedral in all its colours at different times of day, over 30 paintings..