We are driving to the south of france (nr Perpignan) in september, starting at Calais, we are planning 2 nights of stop overs on the way and three on the way back. We would like to aviud motorways wherever possible as they are prtetty boring. I would love to hear of any good places to stay on our stopovers! This is the second time we have done this and we would like some new reccommendations!
2006-07-03 01:09:38 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ France ➔ Other - France
There are so many lovely places worth seeing that is difficult just picking five!
Avoid the Paris outskirts, as the traffic in and around Paris is always exasperating. You could go down via Arras-Laon-Troyes-Dijon-Lyon . Have a stopover in Reims...the cathedral is magnificent...it is "Champagne" country... (go to their website: www.ville-reims.com for more information). Then a second stop in Lyon. One of the loveliest cities in France...the medieval "Vieux Lyon" is worth a visit... The Gothic Cathedral of St. Jean...and the Basilica of Fourvières that almost looks like a fortress on top of the hill...and across the Rhone river the Parc de la Tête d'Or. The main street Rue de la République which is now pedestrian, and many more things worth seeing.
(website: www.lyon-france.com)
Once you pass Lyon you could take the N.7 road to Avignon..and avoid the motorway, since they run fairly parallel, if you get tired of the slower driving you can switch over to the motorway at several points. From Avignon take the N113 to Montpellier-(then N9 to Narbonne- Perpignan
Once you leave Perpignan head toward the west coast via Toulouse to Bayonne and the french Basque country...the little towns along the basque coast are quite lovely (I went to a wedding in Guethary, and we stayed in a hotel in Anglet...very nice) ..Or if you like oysters...stay at or near the Arcachon Bay.(just south of Bordeaux) and have a meal of wonderful fresh seafood. Then via Nantes go to Poitiers (www.of-poitiers.fr) and finally up to the coast of Brittany at Saint Malo for example. (You'll be near the famous Mont St. Michel... Stay over there...and then continue along the coast to Calais.
Once you have decided your stopovers...go to:
www.Mappy.fr (they have a page in english)
Mappy will give you the best routes (with and without motorway /tollways) petrol expenses...and even the placement of the radar speedtraps so you can avoid them). You can also print out the maps and your itinerary.
Have a good trip!
2006-07-03 11:46:06 · answer #1 · answered by abuela Nany 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It has been such a long time since I was traveling in France; however, if you haven't stopped there, I would highly recommend going to Le Mont St. Michel in southern Normandy at the northern border of Brittany. You will not regret the stop. It is a coastal island with a fabulous Benedictine Abbey and steepled church (circa 8th - 11th century). It is truly wonderful.
2006-07-03 08:24:00 · answer #2 · answered by cranura 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am french and hate normandy and brittany, people are so cold over there! try chateaux de la loire or auvergne , that is really typical!
2006-07-03 13:07:34 · answer #3 · answered by tralala 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋