We'll be going from Cherbourg to Saint Julien Des Landes in the Vendee.
I will be using the sat nav, also have maps etc for back up but having just looked on the web about the Vendee i came across a really good site by Angela Bird. On there she tells how to avoid Nantes, makes it sound like a nightmare going anywhere near the place. Is it really that bad. The route i've looked at takes you in a circular route around Nantes. Will that be good enough or do we need to stay well away from Nantes altogether.
Any advice will be welcome, thanks
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I've not been around Nantes for 3 or 4 years, but just checking on viamichelin it looks much like I remember, you go around the ring road to the West of the town over a large bridge which tends to get a bit clogged up due to traffic slowing for the slope of the bridge, and you need to keep an eye out for the right junction to head South, but IMHO nothing worse than the Dartford bridge on the M25.
Depends on when you are travelling. The first time we went to St Julien des Landes it was a Saturday at the beginning of August and we took the Nantes route and regretted it as we sat for an hour in hot sunshine in a queue just waiting to get onto the ring road. In the end we went the opposite way round to the sign posts as the traffic was so bad once you got onto the ring road itself. It's just a big circle so it really doesn't matter which way you go round it and it was much quicker once we were going against the traffic.
Susie
------------- Live every day as if it's your last - don't waste it
It's the same people who express fears of going round Nantes as those who express fears about the M25 around London and The Periphique in Paris.
We're doing the Caen, Rennes and Nantes Periphiques on June 13th en route to our site at St Augustin-sur-mer near Royan.
Plan your route well beforehand and know your exit numbers. IIRC the "Toutes Directions" signs take you anti-clockwise but go clockwise to avoid problems as SusieJM says.
When we have to negotiate a route that needs a bit of careful thought, my wife takes over the driving and I navigate. Stay calm and concentrate. You're only on the Nantes Periphique for about half and hour. It works well for us and Nantes has never presented a problem for us.
Most of all don't listen to the scaremongers!
Vic
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I quite take your point. However, when travelling around London we always get up-to-date information on M25 hold-ups etc. and are prepared, at a moment's notice, to fly off route! Is there any easy way that we can do the same thing if we're travelling around peripheriques in France (or other countries)?
Quote: Originally posted by Vic Wildish on 28/5/2009
It's the same people who express fears of going round Nantes as those who express fears about the M25 around London and The Periphique in Paris.
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: Route advice.
