W are travelling to Spain, getting the 23.00 L & D Lines ferry, Portsmouth - Le Havre tomorrow 5th January. We were hoping to go via Clermont Ferrand but with temperatures forecast at -10c we want to amend our route and stay off the mountains. Can anyone recommend a detailed good route with campsites on the way (open in winter) Because of the unpredictable weather we are not sure how long we will be able to drive every day (eg freezing fog, snow) and also the campervan has a top speed of 60mph so we will probably need 2 or 3 overnight stops. Many thanks for any help gratefully received asap!
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Well I'm down in the Pyrenees and the weather is very unseasonal.If you do find this snow, bring it down because we have sod all and only one slope is open.
We will be doing the following route starting on the 31 Jan and going down the western side of France starting at Calais, You could make Bordeaux your first stop instead.
Even if you take the autoroute via Paris, Lyon, Nimes going well out of your way the temps are still below zero. I'd go Rouen, Orleans, Limoges down the A20, slightly less steep, I'd go this way rather than C/F anyway. Once you get to Toulouse I'd then continue down to Narbonne, Perpignan etc, don't go over the hills past Andorra.
Campsites, not many open. Rather than stop on motorway services, pull off into a small town & park overnight in the town centre carpark. You will be ok.
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Thanks for all your help! I think we will probably opt for Orlenas, Limoges, Toulouse as suggested.....someone suggested before campsites that they have used on this route - La Gartempe, north of Limoges and Rupe at Toulouse,which are open all year. Might also make our first stop at Forest View, Remelard, depending on weather. Has anyone any idea how much the Tolls will be using the autoroute - we have only ever used N roads before?
Le Montagnou - Sorry about lack of snow! I think the north of England has excess at the moment!!
Tolls not too bad then.....I think we will play the journey by ear so to speak, dependant on weather, and head for Limoges and do an overnight stop there and then try to get down to Barcelona. Will take N roads as long as they are ok for driving on....wish us luck - lets hope our 15year old campervan makes it!!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We have just come back from Le Mans area (travelled back 2nd Jan) Rouen area had quite bad snow a few inches deep, in some places the outside lane of the Autoroute was not usable. (I found out that the French only Grit and Plough the inside lane apart from hills). The Inside lane was fine but the traffic was quite slow in parts because of everyone making the journey back.
Just take it steady you'll be fine! Safe journey and have a great holiday!
Thanks for all your help. French roads were gritted and everything a lot more organised than UK. We have now reached Denia, Spain, no sign of any snow and a pleaseant 15c!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Urgent Help Required!
