Great Drives in France - what do you recommend? & why?
Discussion
Over the past 15 years I have enjoyed some truly magnificent driving in France, and cover at least 1/3 of my annual mileage there.
I am firmly of the opinion that Autoroutes and Routes Nationales are best avoided, and left to the "shed draggers" (those driving on the N138 on 17/18 June are the exception to prove the rule!).
Each time I visit France, I try to find new territory. 10 days ago, I drove the 400+ miles from Le Havre to Pontarlier (25), using N roads for 40 miles only.
A great area I found was the Morvan, north of Autun, cracking deserted roads in stunning scenery.
Several years ago, I drove the Route des Grandes Alpes from Thonon to Menton - arguable one of the most awesome drives anywhere, a real test for man and machine.
Over to you, mes amis, declare your hand!
Post your favourite drives - long or short - here.
PS
Sortie 10, my "nom de plume" is a clue as to which exit to take from the Calais/Rouen autoroute to have some great driving en route to Le Mans!
I am firmly of the opinion that Autoroutes and Routes Nationales are best avoided, and left to the "shed draggers" (those driving on the N138 on 17/18 June are the exception to prove the rule!).
Each time I visit France, I try to find new territory. 10 days ago, I drove the 400+ miles from Le Havre to Pontarlier (25), using N roads for 40 miles only.
A great area I found was the Morvan, north of Autun, cracking deserted roads in stunning scenery.
Several years ago, I drove the Route des Grandes Alpes from Thonon to Menton - arguable one of the most awesome drives anywhere, a real test for man and machine.
Over to you, mes amis, declare your hand!
Post your favourite drives - long or short - here.
PS
Sortie 10, my "nom de plume" is a clue as to which exit to take from the Calais/Rouen autoroute to have some great driving en route to Le Mans!
Bonjour mes ami, Try the drive from St Tropez to Plans de la Tour at night and pray no one is coming the other way?( your on the fall side of the Mountain} This is a drive I did last summer.This is a trying bit of road even in a Porsche that I can handle...even if my eyesight is failing. TVR DRIVERS DO IT WITH THERE EYES CLOSED AND WITHOUT LIGHTS IAM TOLD BUT THEY ARE A BREED APART.
Merci Mac.
Merci Mac.
dEveryone seems to think that the best roads are to be found hundreds of miles south but if you look at Swiss Normandy you'll find some wonderful roads. It is hilly, forested, great restaurants, some good cheap hotels and best of all not too far from the coast. I'd recommend you take a look at it. I live at Le Mans and there are also great roads and hotels on the Loire and the road from Le Mans to Tours via La Chartre sur Loire (NOT the N138) is a D road so straight that it is sublime to drive. Also, if you are a petrolhead, the Hotel de France in La Chartre sur Loire (on this road from Le Mans to Tours) is a must. A Logis de France not at all dear where the Aston team stayed in the '50's with autographed photos everywhere.
Try the Gorge de Vesubie D2565 north of Nice. After driving along the river beneath ovehanging cliffs worried you'll bang the aerial but not caring because the sound is awesome, turn right on to the D70. You might know it better as the Col du Turini...
Heart stopping drops, fabulous views, ultimate respect for the Group B warriors I watched as a kid (actually anyone who's driven balls out along there in pursuit of a stage time). To cap it all the car park at the top was filled with 60's 70's and 80's rally porn - a German historic rally event.
I'm glad I bought the car down here for the winter
Heart stopping drops, fabulous views, ultimate respect for the Group B warriors I watched as a kid (actually anyone who's driven balls out along there in pursuit of a stage time). To cap it all the car park at the top was filled with 60's 70's and 80's rally porn - a German historic rally event.
I'm glad I bought the car down here for the winter
sorry, very much a noob here, having not ventured much further than St omar and longueness, but plan to change that this year, a friend of mine lives in le roche derriene, not that far from brest.
Rather than doing the St marlo route, i was thinking of landing in calais, and driving the 400 miles down to le roche derriene, so may be able to report back soon. I'll be doing the drive in my 1996 mustang, so sweeping fast corners more the order of the day than tight twisties..
Rather than doing the St marlo route, i was thinking of landing in calais, and driving the 400 miles down to le roche derriene, so may be able to report back soon. I'll be doing the drive in my 1996 mustang, so sweeping fast corners more the order of the day than tight twisties..
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