Zeebrugge to Provence by motorhome

Harribos
Harribos Forum Participant Posts: 3

We are taking our motorhome from Zebrugge to Provence ( Carpentras area ) in June for 3 weeks. We are not in a hurry to get there and don't really want to race down expensive toll roads. Can anyone suggest a more leisurely route?

Comments

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited March 2016 #2

    The roads are yours for the choosing really, but I am not the person to ask about leisurely routes.  We normally know where we are going and head straight for it.  Personally, if I was heading for Carpentras, unless there was anywhere else I'd planned in
    on the way, I'd go straight down the Rhone.  I'm sure others will be along to recommend the scenic routes! Laughing

    Where are you staying?  We tend to use Camping Le Bregoux at Aubignan, just N of Carpentras.  We'll get there mid July this year for a 5 night stay. A no-frills site, but with some large pitches.  We've booked so we can be assured of a largish pitch near
    reception, where Wi-if is good.

    You could take in Chapagne area on the way down, but this year we are doing a detour from Calais to the Mosel in Germany, to the Black Forest, then Comoranche (Ain), before arriving at Le Bregoux.

    Do let us know what you decide.

    David 

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #3

    A leisurely route for us is one that lets us call at places worth seeing on the way - the museum of Art Nouveau design in Nancy, the Tresor of Vix at Chatillon sur Seine, the Parc Floral garden at Apremont sur Allier, and Mont Aiguille south of Grenoble
    would be on our list, but I can't predict what yours might be. Time to spread a map out? 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2016 #4
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Harribos
    Harribos Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited March 2016 #5

    Thanks, all of you. Not sure where we're staying. We did Champagne and Burgundy last year. We never book sites in June,  just move about, two or three nights at each. Haven't been to Provence in June so not sure how busy sites are. We like to go via RN roads
    where possible.

  • Harribos
    Harribos Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited March 2016 #6

    Can certainly recommend the Parc Floral gardens at Apremont sur Allier. Lovely village.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #7

    When we used 'the eastern routes' we used to to on toll roads as far as St Quentin (because the alternatives were slow and uninteresting) and then head across country to Soissons, Chateau-Thierry, Montmirail, Sezanne, and then Troyes, then Bar sur Seine,
    Chatillon, and Dijon (all using N roads, except for a small section around Troyes).  From Dijon south we headed for Chalon and Macon, but following the N road which parallels the autoroute (takes you through Chalons but not a problem), and then the parallel
    route down to Anse north of Lyon, though Lyon on the (free) autoroute through the centre), and then you have a choice of running parallel to the autoroute down the Rhone valley on either side of the river, or heading towards Grenoble and the Route Napoleon,
    depending on your ultimate destination in Provence.  (Sorry don't have a map handy and no time to Google so can't do road numbers)

    This is a good scenic route for the most part, and a nice 'meander' as long as you're not in a hurry.  It gives you the option, though, for most sections of hopping on the autoroute to make up some time.

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #8

    Harribos

    I'm going further east in Provence, Aups actually. Two things are new to me with this holiday (6 weeks). 1. I have never been to this area before and 2 we will be using 'N' roads nearly all the way. I have planned the route and stops along the way from a
    French Atlas and some research on Google Earth. It has taken a long time to do I have enjoyed the experience of doing my own route immensely.

    I'm sure, if I'd asked, I would have received lots of advice on here but in doing everything yourself you will achieve a lot of pleasure from it.

    I'm going from Ouistreham in a SE direction to Lyon, across to Grenoble then down to my destination. Have I made the right choice, who knows but it was fun.

    I haven't got a clue which way I'm coming back yet. Im sure it won't take as long to plan as going down. 

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited March 2016 #9

    I agree with you harryb, half the fun of the holiday is in the research and planning.

  • harryb
    harryb Forum Participant Posts: 1,536
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #10

    I agree with you harryb, half the fun of the holiday is in the research and planning.

    ............and the other half is getting back on track if things go wrong. Wink

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #11

    There are many different ways of getting to Carpentras so it just depends which areas you want to see. Personally I wouldn't linger in Pas de Calais or Belgium but you could go via Luxemburg; nice and green and cheap fuel. Once you get towards Lyon it's probably better to stick to the Autoroute although as ValDa says, there is always a parallel N road. You can go straight through Lyon at the risk of severe congestion but the signs take you the long way around on the free Autoroute.

    This year we are going to stop close to Lyon on the way south. It is an interesting city and well worth a visit.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #12

    We once tried using the RN7 south of Valence: after an hour on the road we'd managed 30 miles, so back on the Peage!

    Meanwhile, we can recommend
    camping loucomtadou
    , the former municipal site in Carpentras. It's a 15 minute walk to the old town centre, and it's adjacent to the swimming pool.