San Sebastian to Calais, 8 days - what would you do?

[Venisonpie]

I'm on a 3 week holiday (currently solo in the Lima Valley hiking) with Lady VP flying out to Porto on Wednesday. We've got 8 days in Porto/tDouro Valley before driving to San Sebastian on Weds 11th Sept, she flies back on the 12th. I have a flexi tunnel crossing for Saturday the 21st and no plan for in between (deliberately).

So, what would you do? I'm in a 2012 SL which is great for touring but obviously not a weapon by any means.

[omniflow]

It really depends on what you want to do, but if it were me I would visit some or all of the following places:

Bilbao
Logrono
Biarritz
St Emilion
Millau Viaduct (bit of a detour for this one)
La Rochelle / Ile de Re
Cabourg / Trouville / Deauville

[blueg33]

Picos Europas, then Logrono, cross Pyrenees via Andorra, visit Oradour sur Glane and head up towards Calais via Orleans staying off the auto route

[hellorent]

blueg33 said:

Picos Europas, then Logrono, cross Pyrenees via Andorra, visit Oradour sur Glane and head up towards Calais via Orleans staying off the auto route

Good choice

[mikef]

Ooh, done this a few times and lived in the South-West of France. For me (and can be these towns or nearby, let me know if you need recommendations)

Biarritz x2 , Arcachon x2 , La Rochelle, Quiberon x2, Le Mans

Edited to add: I wouldn’t go to Oradour in a show-off car (used to live nearby) and it’s out of your way

Edited by mikef on Monday 2nd September 20:42

[blueg33]

mikef said:

Ooh, done this a few times and lived in the South-West of France. For me (and can be these towns or nearby, let me know if you need recommendations)

Biarritz x2 , Arcachon x2 , La Rochelle, Quiberon x2, Le Mans

Edited to add: I wouldn’t go to Oradour in a show-off car (used to live nearby) and it’s out of your way

Edited by mikef on Monday 2nd September 20:42

The car park at Oradour is several hundred metres from the village and was fine when we did it.

Arcachon is nice if op chooses a western route.

[Mr Magooagain]

This would be worthwhile going to. And you could also go to Oradour as it’s close to Angoulême.
Don’t worry about the car park comment.
https://www.circuitdesremparts.com/

[Venisonpie]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Current thinking is head to Canfranc in the Pyrennees, hike a bit, maybe get the train down the historic route to Zaragoza for the day.

Then head up the Western side of France via some of the suggestions made. I've had many trips to Le Mans so probably don't need to go again however a trip to a Sancerre chateau might be a good stop in the Loire valley.

Its a start anyway.

[mark-3bw80]

If you are travelling up the west coast of France pop in to PUY DU FOU in the Vendee, the most entertaining adventure park you will ever see.
https://www.puydufou.com/france/fr?utm_term=puy%20...

[fourstardan]

mark-3bw80 said:

If you are travelling up the west coast of France pop in to PUY DU FOU in the Vendee, the most entertaining adventure park you will ever see.
https://www.puydufou.com/france/fr?utm_term=puy%20...

Neighbour did this and id like to get along one day!

[Venisonpie]

I have ended up in the Dordogne, weather in SW France was a bit mixed so decided to take a log cabin just outside Montignac Lascaux.

Totally remote, surrounded by woodland on a hillside. Just been to a local deli for tomme de savois, gorganzola and some sec cru fume.



5 live on i player, glass of tawny 10 yr in hand.

[Rob 131 Sport]

Venisonpie said:

I have ended up in the Dordogne, weather in SW France was a bit mixed so decided to take a log cabin just outside Montignac Lascaux.

Totally remote, surrounded by woodland on a hillside. Just been to a local deli for tomme de savois, gorganzola and some sec cru fume.



5 live on i player, glass of tawny 10 yr in hand.

Looks idyllic, we’ve enjoyed many holidays in similar accommodation near Sarlat. The weather down there can be a bit hit and miss though.

[Venisonpie]

Rob 131 Sport said:

Looks idyllic, we’ve enjoyed many holidays in similar accommodation near Sarlat. The weather down there can be a bit hit and miss though.

Its fabulous isn't it, not been to the Dordogne for over 10 years and forgotten how nice it is.

Took a canoe along the Verzier yesterday and managed not to fall in. They appear to have had little rain recently, the river was ankle deep in a couple of places and needed a bit of navigating.



Her ladyship is currently being seasick on a friends yacht in the canaries, perhaps she should have stayed here with me!

Edited by Venisonpie on Tuesday 17th September 06:48

[Time4another]

Venisonpie said:

I have ended up in the Dordogne, weather in SW France was a bit mixed so decided to take a log cabin just outside Montignac Lascaux.

Totally remote, surrounded by woodland on a hillside. Just been to a local deli for tomme de savois, gorganzola and some sec cru fume.



5 live on i player, glass of tawny 10 yr in hand.

That sounds absolute bliss.

[Venisonpie]

Time4another said:

Venisonpie said:

I have ended up in the Dordogne, weather in SW France was a bit mixed so decided to take a log cabin just outside Montignac Lascaux.

Totally remote, surrounded by woodland on a hillside. Just been to a local deli for tomme de savois, gorganzola and some sec cru fume.



5 live on i player, glass of tawny 10 yr in hand.

That sounds absolute bliss.

It is! Bring a decent book and its complete.

[Busa mav]

If you go to La Rochelle , my tip is to drive to the aquarium and park there in a huge car park

Edited by Busa mav on Wednesday 18th September 13:22

[Venisonpie]

I'll be heading North inland tomorrow so won't get to La Rochelle this time, thanks though.

Next stop is Sancerre with a tasting at Henri Bourgeois, staying at their hotel so hopefully decent and rather different to the log cabin.

[Peter911]

If you’re anywhere near Carcisonne then it is well worth a visit.
Sorry, just looked at your dates your past there now.