Slow way back via central France
Discussion
I am asking for some tips please on a largely non-motorway route back to the UK from Belgirate/Arona via the Massif Central in late August.
Rather stupidly, I've contrived to have to take my Alfa Spider S4 back for its MOT in the week of the August Bank Holiday a.k.a. the week that half the Continent returns from holidays and the week before all of France goes back to school.
I have taken it back on motorways before but I have time and thought it might be nice to combine the journey with a bit of sightseeing using the RN network in France. I would have three days to do the journey. I speak French well, so am not overly concerned about communications if I break down in the middle of nowhere. I have most spares necessary to keep any Alfa going including Duck Tape...
In the past I have gone through the Mont Blanc tunnel and over to Beaune and then have then gone cross-country to Chartres and up to Calais via Rouen. I suppose I could repeat that trip and try taking the Petit St Bernard rather than the tunnel. I have also done the crossing to Barcelonnette from Cuneo. I don't imagine either is that much fun when the mountains are crawling with caravans and camper vans, however.
I had rather fancied seeing the Millau viaduct and can work out my route north from Beziers or Montpellier. If I went this way, I'd expect to spend the second night near Chartres before heading up to Calais and would expect to stop somewhere on the first night near the foot of the A75.
The bit I was seeking advice on is how to avoid heavy traffic crossing from Italy to either of those places in relative comfort. The autostrada from Arona to Genoa is almost always completely empty and I could make the coast easily in a couple of hours before dawn but I'd guess that crossing into France before breakfast time might be the best way of avoiding very heavy traffic. If I took the A26/A8 motorways along the Ligurian coast and the Côte d'Azur as a basic route (and possibly came off onto one of the Corniche roads asap), would that make sense?
I'd be grateful for any thoughts.
Rather stupidly, I've contrived to have to take my Alfa Spider S4 back for its MOT in the week of the August Bank Holiday a.k.a. the week that half the Continent returns from holidays and the week before all of France goes back to school.
I have taken it back on motorways before but I have time and thought it might be nice to combine the journey with a bit of sightseeing using the RN network in France. I would have three days to do the journey. I speak French well, so am not overly concerned about communications if I break down in the middle of nowhere. I have most spares necessary to keep any Alfa going including Duck Tape...
In the past I have gone through the Mont Blanc tunnel and over to Beaune and then have then gone cross-country to Chartres and up to Calais via Rouen. I suppose I could repeat that trip and try taking the Petit St Bernard rather than the tunnel. I have also done the crossing to Barcelonnette from Cuneo. I don't imagine either is that much fun when the mountains are crawling with caravans and camper vans, however.
I had rather fancied seeing the Millau viaduct and can work out my route north from Beziers or Montpellier. If I went this way, I'd expect to spend the second night near Chartres before heading up to Calais and would expect to stop somewhere on the first night near the foot of the A75.
The bit I was seeking advice on is how to avoid heavy traffic crossing from Italy to either of those places in relative comfort. The autostrada from Arona to Genoa is almost always completely empty and I could make the coast easily in a couple of hours before dawn but I'd guess that crossing into France before breakfast time might be the best way of avoiding very heavy traffic. If I took the A26/A8 motorways along the Ligurian coast and the Côte d'Azur as a basic route (and possibly came off onto one of the Corniche roads asap), would that make sense?
I'd be grateful for any thoughts.
We always use either the Frejus Tunnel (IIRC c£37 one way) or drive over the Cenis Pass from Susa which is a great driving road.
I can't imagine either will be particularly busy even in August given the later route has some tortuous (exciting) bends.
We then normally thrash down the Autoroutes but again if you avoid Paris it shouldn't be too horrendous.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe
I can't imagine either will be particularly busy even in August given the later route has some tortuous (exciting) bends.
We then normally thrash down the Autoroutes but again if you avoid Paris it shouldn't be too horrendous.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe
Thanks. I’ve done both and I think I’d prefer the pass to inhaling the miles of diesel fumes
.
I’m thinking of just getting to Liguria as early as possible (i.e. start at four in the morning and get as far past Genoa as possible by dawn) and then trying my luck on one of the Corniche roads.
P
. I’m thinking of just getting to Liguria as early as possible (i.e. start at four in the morning and get as far past Genoa as possible by dawn) and then trying my luck on one of the Corniche roads.
P
We've done the route from near Beziers up to Calais a few times, with the sat nav set to no toll roads.
The A75 is toll free, aside from the viaduct, which is well worth crossing, but it's even more impressive seen from underneath - you can get right up close to it and marvel at the size of the thing, it really is a modern wonder.
We always stay in Orleans, its a lovely city, and well worth a visit.
The A75 is toll free, aside from the viaduct, which is well worth crossing, but it's even more impressive seen from underneath - you can get right up close to it and marvel at the size of the thing, it really is a modern wonder.
We always stay in Orleans, its a lovely city, and well worth a visit.
phil y said:
We've done the route from near Beziers up to Calais a few times, with the sat nav set to no toll roads.
The A75 is toll free, aside from the viaduct, which is well worth crossing, but it's even more impressive seen from underneath - you can get right up close to it and marvel at the size of the thing, it really is a modern wonder.
We always stay in Orleans, its a lovely city, and well worth a visit.
Thanks. Good tips.The A75 is toll free, aside from the viaduct, which is well worth crossing, but it's even more impressive seen from underneath - you can get right up close to it and marvel at the size of the thing, it really is a modern wonder.
We always stay in Orleans, its a lovely city, and well worth a visit.
pomodori said:
I've never noticed excess diesel fumes in the FRejus or Mont Blanc tunnels ,partly as there are huge fans
to extract them and also as the gap between vehicles should be huge as indicated in the tunnels.
I’ll be in a low slung open top. I’ve done it before - both Freud and Mont Blanc - both can be foul, despite the fans and the safety distances.to extract them and also as the gap between vehicles should be huge as indicated in the tunnels.
Just a quick update.
In the event, I had to make a business call near Lake Constance on the way home, so I went north through Switzerland, past Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany (taking in the Neckar valley) and then over to Merzig, into Luxembourg, Belgium and then France.
I'll do the journey I originally proposed next month but en retour and report back.
In the event, I had to make a business call near Lake Constance on the way home, so I went north through Switzerland, past Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany (taking in the Neckar valley) and then over to Merzig, into Luxembourg, Belgium and then France.
I'll do the journey I originally proposed next month but en retour and report back.
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