Calais to Clermont Ferrand with Caravan

reynoray
reynoray Forum Participant Posts: 106
edited April 2018 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

There seems to be several options for this journey depending on ones aversion to Paris.  Would be interested to hear from people with experience of this journey.

Don't know if it will be a bad thing but we are travelling the day after VE Day which is between public holidays. 

Thanks.

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,866 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited April 2018 #2

    Done it quite a few times with both caravan and motorhome. We tend to use the Rouen route which some people are not so keen on but if you take it easy it is well signed. The route is more interesting south of Clermont!!!

    David

    PS illustration of the route here

  • Safeman23
    Safeman23 Forum Participant Posts: 51
    edited April 2018 #3

    We also do this route each year on our way down south.

    A16 Paris/A104 Francillian outer ring road. 

    Follow A104 to A6

    Take A6 south to A77 ( toll free)

    Night halt Pougeus Les Eaux

    Follow A77 to Nevers N7

    Follow signs to Clermont Ferrand

    Hope that helps

     

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2018 #4

    Most people go Rouen, Evreux, Dreux, Chartres, Orleans. We hate this route due to the tedious and busy section from Rouen to Chartres. Coming back through Rouen stay on the Autoroute for as long  as possible until you see the Calais sign. There is a small toll section but it’s worth it. I am tempted by the Francillian but it doesn’t seem straightforward.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited April 2018 #5

    Yet another route when going south  is to approach Paris on the A16 rather than the A1, but leave the A16 at junction 10  to follow the N184 down the western side of Paris. You cross the Seine on the high bridge at Conflans Ste Honorine  and carry on south to pick up motorways and then the N10 on the west side of Versailles.

    Don't panic, this is not the route with the tunnels just 2 metres high and so is quite ok for caravans and motorhomes. And it's a good approach for anyone going to stay at the Paris International campsite at Maisons Laffite.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2018 #6

    I did the Francillienne a few years back, en route to Alicante although it was solo. Although I had a load of waypoints programmed into the TomTom, you do need your wits about you on some of the junctions. Not a route I like.

  • Jaydug
    Jaydug Forum Participant Posts: 52
    edited April 2018 #7

    I've done the route from Calais to Toulouse and Andorra several times and my preference has become Abbeville, Rouen, Chartres, Orleans, Bourges, CF.   Nights have been spent at Neufchatel and Issoire.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2018 #8
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • reynoray
    reynoray Forum Participant Posts: 106
    edited April 2018 #9

    Thanks everyone, the input has been really valuable.  

    It seems all the suggestions will work and each has its pros and cons.  I think we've settled on Rouen - Chartres with the overnight at Chartres before heading on to Clermont.  Mileages are similar so it's a toss up between the "unenjoyable" Chartres route or the chance of hold-ups east of Paris.

    Thanks again.

    Ray

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2018 #10

    Renoray, the Rouen route is not that bad although flat and boring in places it is the one we always used when we lived in Languedoc.  South of Clermont Ferrand the A75 is a spectacular drive.

Categories