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Hi, Just wondering if anyone could recommend a route through france to northern spain, we have 3 days to do it in so a little sight seeing would be good en route! especially to avoid a few tolls!!! Got tomtom but it will jusrt take me on mways, which I do for a living so would prefer the fast A roads.

Also we are struggling to find a place for a late night stop off near the chunnell, all sites seem full or dont do late arrivals/early (4.30am) departures, can you stop on the eurtunnel site??

Also would you say stop at the service areas overnight in france or find a municipal site??

Any help aprreciated!!!

If you're going to the Costa Brava side, then the above route as far as Chartres, then Limoges, Cahors, Toulouse, and across through Andorra, or you could go Bourges, Nevers, Moulins, Grannat, Clermont Ferrand, and across the Millau viaduct, which is spectactular.  There are some great overnight stops this way too, and enough sight-seeing to keep everyone happy.

We've just come back, and used parts of this route - mostly the toll-free sections.

Thanks for the replies, this is such a geat site!

The route that MartyM suggests seems great, I would like a different route back home, any suggestions? maybe up through Saintes,Niort, Saumur then LeMans? I would hat to travel a road knowing that there was a great scenic road not far away!!!

I'm thinking of overnights between Chartres and Tours, then maybe around Bordeaux, final destination being Noja on the north coast of Spain. Anyone recommend a great place to stay around these areas? Also any 'Must See' ideas for our route would be great.

Just for correction.. the overnight I'm looking for at the tunnel is the UK side, were only getting to Folkestone around 10pm and the train is 5.50am!!

Any other suggestions greatly received!!!! 

Hi Sproz,

we've done a few trips to France & Spain, and we usually take the long/slow drive down, then get the  long/quick ferry back!!

We do a stop near Calais (Eperleques or La Bienne Assise) are perfect. We then stop near Honfluer ( http://www.camping-catiniere.com/ ).

We then head for Nantes (AVOID PARIS), La Rochelle, then Soustons, before crossing the border.

Once in Spain; the site at Noja is fantastic.

Thanks DS, the CC site is apparently full for the night, although I need to ring site direct to check! which I may do now (cos you've reminded me!)

On another note, It's a while since I've been to france, I remember the N roads being just as quick when towing and more relaxing/scenic. Is this the case with the N10 between Poitiers and Bordeaux?? would anyone recommend this route? I also need to decide whether to go the Rouen to LeMans or Rouen to Chartres route on N roads? We'll do tolls to Rouen from calais. On the return we would like some bits to be different, so maybe Chartres going and LeMans back home???