Recommended route from Florence to St Malo in late September

Roger McNair
Roger McNair Club Member Posts: 77
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in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

We are currently planning a long caravan holiday in Italy next year that will take in the CAMC's Italian Explorer tour ending in Florence towards the end of September. We would appreciate advice from seasoned tourers on the best route back to St Malo from Florence avoiding Switzerland and alpine passes, which potentially could have snow.

Many thanks,

Roger & Jane

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  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,547
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    #2 Answer ✓

    I wonder if you should be concerned about snow in September at road level? You coould use the Brenner motorway and then the Fern Pass into Germany. once in Germany pleanty of places to join the French autoroute system across country. Both THE Brenner and Fern Passes are fairly gentle and very scenic. What route you take out of Italy might bedictated by where your final Italian stop is. http://www.davidklyne.co.uk/camping_municipal_des_grand_cols.htm at Jean de Maurienne is just over the border in France near the Tunnel de Frejus but I would check that its open when you need to be there

    David

  • HollysPack
    HollysPack Club Member Posts: 21
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    #3 Answer ✓

    Just some “stop-off” suggestions.

    Some years ago we took the caravan to Italy and found the Frejus Tunnel route a very easy autoroute drive with beautiful scenery.
    We stopped at Camping le Coin Tranquille, near Les Arbrets just off the A43 southwest of Lyon. Easily reached from the autoroute and views of the Alps!

    Further north, if your heading for St Malo, then Bourges, has an interesting Cathedral and old quarter, OK for a one-day visit. It’s about half way between Clermont Ferrand and Tours and has a good Municipal site within 20 minutes (ish) walk into the city!

    Usual caveat, check site opening dates, the French seem to have short season.

    We have also used the St Gothard Tunnel into Switzerland, motorway all the way, but it’s a longer route further east.

Answers

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 7,181
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    #4

    Well …if you want to avoid a pass over the Alps take a tunnel underneath instead - either the Mont Blanc or the Frejus tunnel wil suffice. The first of those is my favourite but the second is somewhat easier for you. After you are through to France you can just trust your road atlas.

  • Roger McNair
    Roger McNair Club Member Posts: 77
    First Comment Photogenic
    #5

    Thanks eurotraveller that's helpful

  • Dave_N
    Dave_N Forum Participant, Club Member Posts: 9 Participant
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    #6
    Is there a particular reason why you want to avoid Switzerland? The route via the St Gottard Pass would be my recommendation for various reasons. What ever you decide on, my advice would be to avoid the motorway route through Genoa and the Med coast. You would not enjoy it. I’m happy to elaborate.
  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 7,181
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    edited September 9 #7

    I understand what Dave is saying. But if you do aim for the Frejus tunnel then Camping Gran Bosco (just before that tunnel ) is a good one, and open all year. But it’s 300 motorway miles from Florence and you may think that’s too far for one day with a caravan.

  • Roger McNair
    Roger McNair Club Member Posts: 77
    First Comment Photogenic
    #8

    Thanks both - we'll have a look at both routes. Appreciate your suggestion Eurotraveller of using Camping Gran Bosco ahead of the Frejus Tunnel. In terms of distance we often drive 350 miles a day when transiting France or Spain to get to our destination but draw a red line at 400 miles! Dave I agree with your comments about the Med coast autoroute having driven it from Marseille to Frejus previously….

  • Roger McNair
    Roger McNair Club Member Posts: 77
    First Comment Photogenic
    #9

    Thanks for the helpful advice David

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