France - road trip tomorrow! Last minute suggestions wanted!

[torqueofthedevil]

Here's my basic plan:

Get to Calais mid-day.

Want to get at least to Orleans and want to miss Paris so thinking of heading via Rouen.

Would like to get last this and straight to Le-Puy-en-Velay which I think is the heart of the Loire valley.

Few nights there.

Then down to Carcassonne where we have a place booked.

Then onto Montpellier, Cassis, Verdon Gorge, Reims, Calais.

Only thing is the second half (after Carcassonne) I'm pressed for time so not sure I can spend a night in each place.

Also weary of leaving myself 800km to do in a day to get home!

However good mix of scenery and roads - should be good.

Never done anything like it before in France so would like some last minute suggestions on places to stay, nice little towns, best stops along the way, best base in the Loire, best routes up through alps near Verdon, best route back to Reims, etc.

Cheers!!

[Roger645]

Saumur, escargot restaurant is worth a visit, you will need to book.

[E31Shrew]

We came back up from that area via the Millau Viaduct. Worth a diversion if you can

[Matt Harper]

I wonder if the OP is aware that the Le Mans 24 Hours is this weekend. Might be a little busy on the roads, until south of Saumur.

[Roger645]

We are crossing Dover Calais tomorrow about midday so I expect there will be a few PH members on the boat!