Country route from Caen to Le Mans

[lowdrag]

I've used this route for over forty years and many have reported just how good it is. So, if you don't want to take the A28 or the Route National, here it is




I've published so many times, but here goes:-

On leaving the ferry follow the green signs to Falaise

On the ring road of Falaise leave the N158 and follow the D909 towards Putange-Pont-Ecrepin. There is a lovely hotel there right by the river called Le Lion Verd. Good spot for a coffee and a croissant. They speak english.

Continue south to Rânes, over the crossroads and on towards Carrouges on the D909

Follow the D909 until you meet the N12, turn right and go through Pré-en-Pail. There is a service station there if you need fuel.
Go through the town and then follow the D20 left signposted Villaines-la-Juhel. You will travel through a forest with beautiful swinging roads.
Now follow the D13 to Courcité and from there the D16 to Sillé-le-Guillaume and from there the signs to Le Mans.

Of course, you can be extremely boring and take the motorway, missing out all that makes France such a great country to travel through. I have been using this route for nearly forty years, and it never fails to please. Great driving roads, never a BiB, and people waving as you go through the towns. On your way home the Lion Verd is a great place to dine before catching the ferry. They used to have lobsters but sadly no more.

Enjoy the route. Take the time to look around you and take in the scenery. It never ceases to please me.

[chris_951]

Last year was my first year (Cherbourg - Le Mans) and I was determined not to do motorways and tolls if I could help it.

SatNav set to avoid motorways and tolls and I "map recce'd" this route onto my Le Mans on-a-page document:

N13 – N174 – D974 – D674 – D407 – D524 – D924 – D22 – D976 – D218 – D13 – D16 – D5 – D304 – D197 – D338

It was longer in time but very enjoyable.

Suppose the really nice weather and a convertible helped (apart from the rain in Cherbourg when we docked!)

Doing Calais this year with a friend, hope he's up for scenic driving! We are doing an overnight stop this time as well though.

[Gander101]

Thank you for the route suggestion Lowdrag, looks like just the job. We’re taking the ferry Portsmouth to Caen this year rather than our previous Chunnel route. Was looking at potential routes and then yours popped up, great.

[Naturally_aspirated]

Thanks @Lowdrag.

I used this route a couple of years ago and it was great. For me the drive down through rural France stopping off at a cafe or two is one of the main highlights of the trip, so we’ll probably be following this route again this year.

[Kev_Mk3]

Good shout lowdrag may try it myself

[Dblue]

This is a fantastic route. Superb mix of flowing twisty roads withy beautiful little towns. Quiet, surprisingly quick. Also recommended if you're going via the Calais route. Just avoid Caen and head to the Pont de Normandie - maybe a stop off at Honfleur, then you can autoroute around Rouen and head north.

[foccer]

Caen - Flers - Mayenne - Le Mans lots of nice roads on that route.

[Monsterwunsch]

I have an upcoming trip in this direction so thought I'd try and figure out OP's route on Google

I think this is it.....

https://maps.app.goo.gl/A6BXkvsMwhYd2bCm8

[OGR]

Hi all I’m heading down on my own on Wednesday 10th into Calais around 10:00am (son is racing but not qualifying on Wednesday evening so I’m in no great rush).

Anyone recommend a non motorway route - I might stop somewhere Wednesday evening or push on and get to track for late afternoon /early evening .. haven’t really decided .



Thanks

[DMN]

Until you get to Rouen, there isn't much choice of alternative routes from Calais.

However from Rouen, a lot of people still take the old route south. Which is the D438 and D338, it meanders through the French Country side. With lots of Towns and Villages along the way.

[Jellyfishfields]

Thanks to the OP for posting, and the other contributors, all very helpful.

Currently trying to decide whether to go from Portsmouth to Caen with the overnight ferry or Folkstone to Calais with the train. We'll be driving down from the NE of Scotland, so we can easily take either route.

The only thing putting me off the ferry idea is that it looks like you don't get much time in your bed. Has anyone taken the overnight ferry on that route?
It does have the advantage of a shorter distance once we're in France.

[Jellyfishfields]

What time would you normally expect to leave Le Mans after the event is over?

I'm wondering if booking the 23:00 ferry on Sunday night from Caen to Portsmouth is realistic or not?

I guess we could also take the ferry one way and the train the other.

[sahajesh]

Jellyfishfields said:

What time would you normally expect to leave Le Mans after the event is over?

I'm wondering if booking the 23:00 ferry on Sunday night from Caen to Portsmouth is realistic or not?

I guess we could also take the ferry one way and the train the other.

LM to Caen should be 2.5hrs but a lot depends on traffic leaving the circuit.

If you are camping then get out of the campsite by midday or so (not experienced but read a lot last year about campsites closing early and cars getting stuck).

I'd say you have time to leave once the race ends, stop for food en-route and still get to Caen on time. I presume the check-in is an hour?

[NoBrakesWC]

Jellyfishfields said:

What time would you normally expect to leave Le Mans after the event is over?

I'm wondering if booking the 23:00 ferry on Sunday night from Caen to Portsmouth is realistic or not?

I guess we could also take the ferry one way and the train the other.

I have taken the 23:00 ferry every year. We haven't rushed slow stroll to the car and drive up from the campsite takes us about 2.5hours depending on speed, traffic etc. Even had enough time for food in the village before going through.

[Jellyfishfields]

Thanks to the both of you for your replies, much appreciated.

Looks like we'll go Caen to Portsmouth on the way home then.

On the way there, has anyone gone Portsmouth to St Malo? It means more sleeping time

[Cass63]

I normally get to Le Mans as quickly as poss as I normally have a car full but this year it’s just 2 of us, we normally do Pompey Caen but this year it’s newhaven dieppe. Anyone got a nice non payage route.

[Dblue]

Cass63 said:

I normally get to Le Mans as quickly as poss as I normally have a car full but this year it s just 2 of us, we normally do Pompey Caen but this year it s newhaven dieppe. Anyone got a nice non payage route.

Dieppe is pretty close to Rouen but I'd take N27 to the Autoroute, then follow it across pass Yvetot and over the Pont de Normandie which is spectacular, then stop off at Honfleur. From there as mentioned above, Falaise, Ranes, Carrouges , Sille Le Guillame, etc.

We cut across from Carrouges to north of Alencon and do just a short stretch of autoroute before getting off and routing through Savigne L'Eveque because were that side of the city..

[Jellyfishfields]

Well, that's us booked Portsmouth Caen return.

Thanks again for the assistance, very much appreciated.

Never really done any main events like this, other than the Festival of Speed, and that was many years ago. Very much looking forward to it.