Driving from Calais to Brittany, any tips or advice
14 February 2003, 10:54 PM
#4
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There's a fast Sea Cat from Portsmouth to Cherbourg - about 2 1/2 hours I think.
Also going to Dinan this year using the above route - looks nice.
Mont St Michel is worth a visit but a bit touristy.
Also going to Dinan this year using the above route - looks nice.
Mont St Michel is worth a visit but a bit touristy.
14 February 2003, 10:54 PM
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Get the fast seacat portsmouth > cherbourg in 3 hrs.
Drive down the chrebourg penninsula is a bit of an **** though, but it isn't too far, and it gets you used to driving on the 'incorrect' side at sensible speeds.
Steve
Drive down the chrebourg penninsula is a bit of an **** though, but it isn't too far, and it gets you used to driving on the 'incorrect' side at sensible speeds.
Steve
14 February 2003, 11:44 PM
#6
can appreciate these quicker crossings but calais is part of the deal and ive never been to france so its new to me, wanted the caribbean to be honest but with recent happening (heathrow etc) and not a good flyer its take to the water and the reliable VR4 this time, did the carib in dec and wanted to get back as soon as i got back but not to be so France it is.
15 February 2003, 09:24 AM
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Aviod Caen if you are going through round rush-hour times. It's a real pig. Not too many good roads running east/west , I think the french only travel north/south.
Get a big yellow michelin mapbook and be prepared for them to change the road numbers ( which they seem to do every other year )
Steve
Get a big yellow michelin mapbook and be prepared for them to change the road numbers ( which they seem to do every other year )
Steve
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15 February 2003, 12:22 PM
#8
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its easy
often drive from calais all over france & europe
best raod guidance is the AA rout planner, took use from calais to malaga this out a single problem, avoid paris during the rush hour, dont forget to do the rout planner in reverse for when coming home.
15 February 2003, 12:56 PM
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Advice for anyone travelling to Brittany and all IMHO:
My parents have a house in the north of Brittany and go there every 6 weeks or so. They have done the Cherbourg and the St Malo routes, we have done the fast seacat from Poole to St Malo via the CIs and the St Malo route, and my sister has done the Dover to Calais option (in a van!)
The best route would depend on whether or not you want to pay the least for the crossing and put the extra miles on your car, or if these things are not an issue. I personally would not do anything other than the St Malo option because of the mileage involved. I think it's better to let someone else do the "driving" while my car is safely tucked away in the hold. Besides, even though we don't seem to travel that far once there, I still come home with over 1,000 miles on the clock!
The seacat from Poole does not start until May anyway, so this is out of the question at the moment, but as soon as it is running, I will be doing this. The problem with the ferry to St Malo is that the crossing over is at night which is OK as you wake up in France in a nice cabin. Unfortunately, on the way back, you are travelling throughout the day and lose a day of your holiday, (or it seems like it).
In conclusion, I would recommend that you go over on the ferry, and then come back on the seacat to Poole. You get back at midnight(ish) and we were home by 2.30am (Northampton). The last day of our holiday was not spent travelling, but swimming in the sea and generally chilling.....
I'm sorry for the essay, but to make the most of your holiday, the travel arrangements are quite important......
My parents have a house in the north of Brittany and go there every 6 weeks or so. They have done the Cherbourg and the St Malo routes, we have done the fast seacat from Poole to St Malo via the CIs and the St Malo route, and my sister has done the Dover to Calais option (in a van!)
The best route would depend on whether or not you want to pay the least for the crossing and put the extra miles on your car, or if these things are not an issue. I personally would not do anything other than the St Malo option because of the mileage involved. I think it's better to let someone else do the "driving" while my car is safely tucked away in the hold. Besides, even though we don't seem to travel that far once there, I still come home with over 1,000 miles on the clock!
The seacat from Poole does not start until May anyway, so this is out of the question at the moment, but as soon as it is running, I will be doing this. The problem with the ferry to St Malo is that the crossing over is at night which is OK as you wake up in France in a nice cabin. Unfortunately, on the way back, you are travelling throughout the day and lose a day of your holiday, (or it seems like it).
In conclusion, I would recommend that you go over on the ferry, and then come back on the seacat to Poole. You get back at midnight(ish) and we were home by 2.30am (Northampton). The last day of our holiday was not spent travelling, but swimming in the sea and generally chilling.....
I'm sorry for the essay, but to make the most of your holiday, the travel arrangements are quite important......
15 February 2003, 08:46 PM
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Visit the normandy beaches, war memorials etc (especially the American cemetery above Utah beach).
Trust me if you have any troubles they will easily be put in perspective by a visit to the above. I would recommended anyone to go at least once in their lifetime.
Trust me if you have any troubles they will easily be put in perspective by a visit to the above. I would recommended anyone to go at least once in their lifetime.
22 February 2003, 04:14 PM
#13
back now
Nice place, people were great as didnt know what to expect due to being told most french don't like the english, not what i experienced, must recommend the cottage we stayed at
cottage
the drive from calais took 10 hours, because we took what we would call A roads for a couple of hours got dark and couldnt find the cottage, on the way back we did it in 4 and a half hours so id keep to the motorways next time, cost about 16-20 euros in total at tolls coming home, fast and clear roads as well and the seacat Dover-Calais only takes 1hr max. Recommend anyone to do it once.
[Edited by LeeMac - 2/22/2003 4:18:08 PM]
Nice place, people were great as didnt know what to expect due to being told most french don't like the english, not what i experienced, must recommend the cottage we stayed at
cottage
the drive from calais took 10 hours, because we took what we would call A roads for a couple of hours got dark and couldnt find the cottage, on the way back we did it in 4 and a half hours so id keep to the motorways next time, cost about 16-20 euros in total at tolls coming home, fast and clear roads as well and the seacat Dover-Calais only takes 1hr max. Recommend anyone to do it once.
[Edited by LeeMac - 2/22/2003 4:18:08 PM]
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