Just found this site that gives the exact directions that we took on the advice of another member. The big thing we found is to know what towns are 2 or 3 towns distant as quite often the immediate next town is not on the sign post but a town a few miles down the road is! Odd I know and you probably think I am crackers but that was our experience.
Ali
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Happybonzo, we are on a budget, even with the mileage savings it would still add a lot to the cost of the holiday. We are fortunate that my brother lives in Dover and so we can stay 5 mins from the ferry port the night before our crossing, thus leaving us with a full days travel in France. It is annoying to not go from Portsmouth (we live in Southsea a few mins walk from the ferry) but our greater plan is a RTW tour end of next year, the more we spend on this hol the less we save for next year!
Thanks to everyone for their help, we now have a route to base upon and a rough idea on some places we want to visit. Many thanks
Hi back again! So having spent far more time looking at routes and destinations we have decided on heading for Montpellier (or just West of there as have visited there before) and then travelling West exploring beaches, campsites etc possibly on to Spain. From a route point of view it will be as discussed, I am now doubting myself for thinking about doing the whole journey in 1 day in the mini! So looking to stopover somewhere this side of Clermont-ferrand, which would give us a 6 hourish solid drive (not including the many stops i'm sure we will make!) My question this time - is there anywhere on the way to or is Clermont a good stop over? We do like to tske it as it comes and very rarely book anything, but as it will only be for one night we wont have much time to explore and so ideally an area that we know has something to offer may well draw us in for the stopover!
Plenty of cheap hotels bookable online in Clermont BB, F1, Etap etc.]- shame you 'have' to shoot off as breaking the journey by a trip up the Puy de Dome to look down into the nearby volcano craters is a decent day.
I'm not fond of anywhere I've seen between Chartres and Clermont - although I regularly stop at Orleans because its where I need a stop. I think its a dump.
------------- Huw
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Which way are you going A71, or N7 to Moulins, then N9? This is a good route, not too many hold ups, and more interesting than the autoroute. If the latter, then St Pourcain is a reasonable place to stop - but again, are you camping or hotel? Can't help on the hotel front - although we did once stay at a Formule 1 just south of Clermont Ferrand (listed as Issoire in the book - good access, two really lovely villages to walk around in the evening, just nearby). There are a couple of sites in St Pourcain itself (municipal where we stayed, and a site in the grounds of the Chateau), and two just a bit further north at Chatel-de-Neuvre - we stayed at the one with the frog on the sign for the campsite, but can't remember the name sorry!! Both are almost directly off the road, but no noise, and have level good sized pitches, and clean sanitary blocks. St Pourcain is a small town, with restaurants and shops - and when we were there had an excellent wine festival going on - plenty of free samples. We often pass through, and there always seems to be some sort of Fete or another!
Hi, would most probably be looking at a nice simple campsite, most likely a municipal. I would possibly entertain the idea of a hotel if it was to only cost a fraction more than a campsite, I would only do this for one night though! TT we dont have to shoot off, as I say we tend to take it as it comes, I will have a look into your suggestion, if we can get a good campsite nearby then it may well make an interesting stopover it certainly appeals to our interests. In fact looking at it, it may be a good spot for some mountain biking if they can be hired (as wont be taking our own - mini not quite up to a cycle carrier!) Does anyone know of a municipal or similar campsite in the area? I have had a quick search but no joy, will check my Alan Rogers and Michilin books after work! But anyone with practical experience?
Camping municipal Le Chanset, at Ceyrat - it's probably the nearest municipal, or there's Camping Indigo L'Oclede, at Royat. About as near as you'll get to the Puy de Dome - but bear in mind it can be very cold at night, even in the mid- summer!
This is Le Chanset. Both sides are about 18 - 20 euros - not cheap for a municipal.
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Quote: Originally posted by 01-mike75 on 20/7/2007
TT we dont have to shoot off, as I say we tend to take it as it comes, I will have a look into your suggestion, if we can get a good campsite nearby then it may well make an interesting stopover it certainly appeals to our interests.
I'm hoping to take a swim in a crater lake this year but I have yet to identify where - I like the idea of my swimming water being 'Volvic' in a million years
> hoping to take a swim in a crater lake <
Be careful. It's risky swimming and often not allowed. They are usually very, very deep, and usually have steep sides. So risky cold water and a very sudden separation between the warm top layer of 1 m at most and very cold underneath. High risk to get cramp.
For Mike, I only meant it's very cold up near the Puy du Dome - not that anywhere you stay overnight will be that cold! Sorry, don't be put off an overnight stop - it's an area definitely worth seeing, as are the previously mentioned Gorges du Tarn, Gorges du Jonte, etc.
Has anyone had a dip at 'Sillans la Cascade' - a pool at the bottom of a cliff, in Provence, not volcanic, but spectacular all the same, with a 'tropical' waterfall coming over the top and at the right time of the day you get a rainbow effect in the water droplets - and it's also cold!!!
Quote: Originally posted by 01-mike75 on 14/7/2007
Happybonzo, we are on a budget, even with the mileage savings it would still add a lot to the cost of the holiday. We are fortunate that my brother lives in Dover and so we can stay 5 mins from the ferry port the night before our crossing, thus leaving us with a full days travel in France. It is annoying to not go from Portsmouth (we live in Southsea a few mins walk from the ferry) but our greater plan is a RTW tour end of next year, the more we spend on this hol the less we save for next year!
Thanks to everyone for their help, we now have a route to base upon and a rough idea on some places we want to visit. Many thanks
book early for next year - Portsmouth-Cherbourg can be had for as little as £80 approx return but you do have to book in November 2007. I didn't realise myself but a M8 phoned me and let me know: Still, you'll know for next time
Yeah the driving is a big part of the fun for us so no probs, We rarely know what we are going to do a year in advance! alhough end of next year is a RTW trip, this is having slightly more planning put into it!
My sarcasm doesn't come across very well in text! We will most likely make it our stopover! Cold nights in a tent are fun, finding ways to keep warm i.e. cooking when you're not hungry etc... and I would hope at sea level it will be pleasently warm at night! Bloody better be!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: France trip - a few questions!
