Please recommend a route - Calais - Vendée coast

[SilverSixer]

I'm driving the family to the Vendée coast this summer, and will be taking 4 bikes on the roof of the car, so I'm thinking that I won't be able to go much above 60mph, so there's not much point in being on the péage.

So, would anyone like to recommend a route from Calais to St Jean de Monts? I did the drive last summer using the péages, and got royally stuck around Rouen on the way back due to some bridge roadworks which I believe are still in place. Is that right, and if so is it a good idea to avoid Rouen still?

We're doing the journey over two days, staying overnight in Bagnoles De L'Orne, near Alençon.

Any top tips?

Thanks in advance.

[Fatt McMissile]

If I was making that trip, I'd go via Caen, whether you use the autoroute from Calais to Caen or not would be up to you, but if there are long queues at the Peages, the RN will be stuffed with traffic too.
After Caen the autoroute is toll-free via Rennes to Nantes but there will be hold ups around those cities during prime holiday travel times - Friday PM, Saturday, and at going/leaving work time. If traffic's heavy after Rennes it might be good to turn off south west before Nantes, and cross the Loire at St Nazaire.
If you're committed to staying at Alencon this rather screws my route, but you might like to try it another time.
Steve

[tvron]

Autoroute much easier providing you buy Liberte T tag from Sanef Uk-I have had one for years and saved hours not waiting in queues

[mikey77]

Bagnoles is nice. Try to find time for a look around.

[SilverSixer]

tvron said:

Autoroute much easier providing you buy Liberte T tag from Sanef Uk-I have had one for years and saved hours not waiting in queues

Yep, got one, but it didn't help on one of the autoroute diversions around Rouen last year. Just as we entered an autoroute, the queue to the peage began. It took 2 and a half hours to do about 10 miles. The tag probably cut off 5 minutes at the end. Saved time in other areas though of course. And witnessed the most biblical downpour I think I've ever seen - can't imagine I'd have been able to drive through it, it was that bad.

We are committed to Alencon/Bagnoles de l'Orne on the way down, staying with some old friends who are squatting in one of their parent's properties there for 6 months. Might stop in on the way back too if we're welcome again.........

Good point about the RNs being stuffed if the peages are. We're travelling on July 12/13, so probably the worst weekend imaginable for traffic in France. Hey ho. The Bastille Day fireworks are always worth it in St Jean de Monts.