I did that one year and it cooked my Sat Nav as the road was so hot.
When I tried to buy a new Sat Nav the hypermarket offered me a special offer, a Sat Nav with maps for the whole of Europe except Britain, we had just voted to leave the EU.
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is there a way to ascertain the wait for the ferry in order to make a decision whether to use the ferry or drive around? i would prefer to use the ferry but if we have to wait for 2h then it will signifcantly impact an already long journey i am planning to drive down in one hit from st malo. i have a customer near limoges and i have driven from the west midlands to the customer in one hit, via the tunnel, a number of times, however thats driving a pickup truck. in previous years we have driven to le tranche sur mer from caen and st malo with the carravan, usually arriving at the campsite at the same time due to the ferry docking later at st malo but the journey being shorter. we will certainly be stopping half way on the return.
Post last edited on 11/12/2023 14:26:41
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Quote: Originally posted by Baileyjake on 11/12/2023
is there a way to ascertain the wait for the ferry in order to make a decision whether to use the ferry or drive around? i would prefer to use the ferry but if we have to wait for 2h then it will signifcantly impact an already long journey i am planning to drive down in one hit from st malo. i have a customer near limoges and i have driven from the west midlands to the customer in one hit, via the tunnel, a number of times, however thats driving a pickup truck. in previous years we have driven to le tranche sur mer from caen and st malo with the carravan, usually arriving at the campsite at the same time due to the ferry docking later at st malo but the journey being shorter. we will certainly be stopping half way on the return.
Post last edited on 11/12/2023 14:26:41
Where is your final destination?
If right up on the N point of the S of the Gironde estuary (like Soulac per the OP ) then the ferry probably the best. If going to say Arcachon then most likely Bordeaux ring road - although not on a Saturday in late July / early August!
As longcol says, the best way really depends on when you are travelling and your final destination.
The ferry website is here . It's in French but easily translatable via Google.
In the winter and shoulder seasons (September to June) there are timetables, though the current timetable only goes up to March 2024 so you would have to keep checking when the update will be published. In the summer (July an August basically), the boats cross, drop off, fill up and set off again, non stop. Out of high season there isn't usually too much of a queue as the timings are based on previous demand but note that the ferries do stop for lunch out of season and can be very busy at weekends and French holidays even out of season.
There is more info about the actual boats used and the ports here and here which give you some idea of the size of the ship and the experience.
To give you some idea of the driving times, according to Via Michelin St Malo to the Bordeaux ring road with a caravan will take you about 6 hours.
Alternatively St Malo to Royan is between five and a half and six and a half hours, the ferry will be about an hour plus waiting time, then Verdon to the Bordeaux Ring Road a further hour and 40 mins or 2 hours depending on route.
These timings are all probably optimistic plus there is with no allowance for traffic or stops. Obviously if your destination is above Bordeaux the these times will be different.
If your destination is south of Bordeaux then you will have to add on the time for that and allow for any hold ups on the Bordeaux ring road, which can be considerable.
Only you can work out the best way forward.
Another thing to check is how late you will be able to access your campsite if you are held up. This may affect your decision.
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i am heading for Soulac sur mer. we normally go to the vendee but the sites we go to with big water parks have now moved over to static caravans only. found le palace in soulac, already booked a pitch. looks good. not sure if my family will appreciate the drive down though.
we usually do some cool activities like acrobranche, valorail, kayaking.
are there some things like this in Gironde? i thikn i have seen some Emarkadere down that way. i have a kayak i take with us but i think the sea is a bit rough in the Gironde. there are lakes though.
in about 1992 i stayed next to the dune de pilat, first camping trip without parents. we drove down to bairiz in a triumph spitfire.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
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: Royan Ferry
