Driving in France, French wine routes

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height="75"></td> <td><p>Your visit to France is a great opportunity to stock up with fine wine, but if you don't want to be carrying it around in the car, we have the perfect answer! Our vineyards will ship your wine to Calais so you can pick it up on the way home. Or if you want to buy more wine than you can comfortably fit in with all the luggage, ship it to Calais and collect it later with a cheap day return for just £15. See <a href="buy_wine_tax_free.html" target="_parent">order from home</a>.</p> <p>Check out the latest road works and hold-ups in our <a href="public_newsheadlines/news_splash.html" target="Content">Latest News</a>. The Routes in our member's Premier Pages section will help you plan your journey. Click <a href="secmenu_routes_info.html" target="Sub Menu">Routes</a> to find out more or <a href="register.asp" target="Content">Join Now!</a> </p></td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"> <tr> <td colspan="2"><span class="Redbold">Heading for Paris?</span><br> Most people heading for Paris from the UK will go via the port of Calais. There are two routes, the A26/A1 or the A16 Autoroute via Boulogne and Amiens, an easy 290 km drive which is straightforward and relatively quiet by UK standards. You can enter Paris from the west side via the RN184 / A115 / A15 or from the east via the D104 ('la Francilienne' outer ring road) and the A1 past Charles De Gaulle airport. There are also other routes in from the 'la Francilienne' which take you to the centre of Paris via St Denis.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><p><span class="Redbold">"Are We There Yet?" </span></p> <p>Your wine route will involve driving long distances. If this is your first time driving in France, careful planning is essential for a safe and comfortable journey. </p> <p>France is big country, roughly 2.5 times the area of the UK, but with about the same number of people. Traffic density therefore tends to be lower than in the UK, except in major cities such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Toulouse. </p></td> <td><p><img src="../../pictures/motorway_horiz.gif" width="250" height="142" align="left" alt="driving in france pic1"></p></td> </tr> </table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" border="0" width="100%"> <tr valign="middle"> <td colspan="18"><table width="85%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" bgcolor="#FFFCE1"> <tr> <td colspan="2"> </td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFCC"> <td colspan="2"><div align="center" class="Redbold">When planning your wine and vineyard routes, always allow time for regular rest stops</div></td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#FFFFCC"> <td><p><a href="#" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image122','','compare_map_uk.gif',1)"><img src="compare_map_france.gif" alt="driving in france graphic" name="Image122" width="125" height="129" border="0" id="Image122"></a></p></td> <td><p>The distance from Calais to Toulouse in the south of France is roughly the same as the distance from Aberdeen to Portsmouth while the equivalent of driving the entire length of England will only take you half way through France.<br> </p> <p> Limoges, in the centre of France, makes a good reference point for estimating traveling times. To compare scale, just roll your mouse over the map on the right.</p></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr valign="middle"> <td colspan="18"></td> </tr> <tr valign="middle"> <td colspan="18"></td> </tr> <tr valign="middle"> <td colspan="18"></td> </tr> <tr valign="middle"> <td colspan="18">The average motorway driving time from Le Havre to Limoges (509km or 318 miles) is in the order of 5.5 hours, plus stopping time. You must increase this by up to about one third for non-motorway roads, but you will save money on tolls. Although the French motorway system is excellent, the toll sections, or péage, can be expensive. For example, Bordeaux to Tours, a distance of some 350km, will cost €21.04 for a car. </td> </tr> <tr valign="middle"> <td colspan="18"><h2>Choose the 'right' port for your wine route</h2></td> </tr> <tr valign="middle"> <td colspan="18"><p>Before booking your Channel crossing, balance the distance and time to UK ports with the distance and time you will spend driving in France. You may find an overall saving by using a more distant departure point in UK. </p> <p>For example, taking the Plymouth / Roscoff ferry is ideal for Brittany and the west of France and for parts of the centre such as the Loire Valley region, but not for the northern and eastern part of the country. Although the road structure is good, there are still many kilometres to cover.</p> <p>Also, work out if it is really necessary to cross Paris.This can be nightmare with constant heavy traffic and frequent snarl-ups. Paris is best avoided unless you intend staying there as part of your visit. </p> <p>Two of the quickest ports to get away from reducing both time and distance for western and central France, are Caen / Ouistreham and St - Malo. In general, saving time on the French side of the Channel is to be recommended.</p></td> </tr> <tr valign="middle"> <td colspan="18"></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td colspan="18" valign="middle">Distances from Channel ports to Saumur in the Loire Valley<br> (assuming motorway use - excludes rest stops) </td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td colspan="18" valign="middle"><table BORDER cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 width=355 align="center" bgcolor="#FFFCE1" bordercolor="#006633" mm_noconvert="TRUE" bordercolordark="#006633" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF"> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#FFFFCC"> <td width="57%" valign="TOP"><p align="RIGHT">Route </td> <td width="21%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">Distance<br> (km) </td> <td width="22%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">Drive Time<br> (hours) </td> </tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#FFFFCC"> <td width="57%" valign="TOP"><p align="RIGHT">Calais - Paris - Saumur </td> <td width="21%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">600 </td> <td width="22%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">6.50 </td> </tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#FFFFCC"> <td width="57%" valign="TOP"><p align="RIGHT">Le Havre - Le Mans - Saumur </td> <td width="21%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">315 </td> <td width="22%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">4.00 </td> </tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#FFFFCC"> <td width="57%" valign="TOP"><p align="RIGHT">Caen - Le Mans - Saumur </td> <td width="21%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">285 </td> <td width="22%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">3.25 </td> </tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#FFFFCC"> <td width="57%" valign="TOP"><p align="RIGHT">Cherbourg - Laval - Saumur </td> <td width="21%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">345 </td> <td width="22%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">4.50 </td> </tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#FFFFCC"> <td width="57%" valign="TOP"><p align="RIGHT">St Malo - Rennes - Saumur </td> <td width="21%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">245 </td> <td width="22%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">3.25 </td> </tr> <tr align="right" bgcolor="#FFFFCC"> <td width="57%" valign="TOP"><p align="RIGHT">Roscoff - Rennes - Saumur </td> <td width="21%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">385 </td> <td width="22%" valign="TOP"><p align="CENTER">5.00 </td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="18" valign="top"><p>Motorways are usually the fastest route, but beware during August when the Parisians go on holiday. Long tail backs are the norm. On hot summer days these bouchons, as the French call them, can be very frustrating and tempers often get frayed. Also, once trapped in a snarl-up, it can be very difficult to escape. </p> <p>The National roads are very good and most now bypass towns. They could add up to a third to your driving time, but there are no toll charges and you get a chance to see the local scenery. This can be more relaxing than driving from one blockage to the next with hundreds of other frustrated motorists.</p> <p>Note that the Gendarmerie are getting very hot on speeding and fines have been introduced for using mobile phones while driving. An on-the-spot fine is not the best way to begin your holiday. See Rules and Regulations page. </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="18" valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="18" valign="top"><table width="95%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" align="center" bgcolor="#FFCCCC"> <tr> <td><div align="center">NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE<br> You don't need to swallow wine to taste it, so you can taste and still be safe on the road</div></td> </tr> </table></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="18" valign="top"><p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <hr> <div align="center"> <p><span class="style1"><a href=about_winedrive_france.html target="_top">About Winedrive</a> | <a href=http://www.winedrive.com onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image111','','secmenu_buttons/mainmenu2.gif',1);MM_displayStatusMsg('main site');return document.MM_returnValue" target="_top">French wine www.winedrive.com </a> | <a href=vineyards_and_wine_in_france.html target="_top" onMouseOver="MM_displayStatusMsg('vineyards');return document.MM_returnValue">vineyards in france</a> | <a href=vineyards_and_wine_in_france.html target="_top" onMouseOver="MM_displayStatusMsg('vineyard information');return document.MM_returnValue">Winedrive vineyards</a> <br> <a href=buy_wine_tax_free.html target="_top">buy wine discount</a> | <a href=regions_of_france.html target="_top" onMouseOver="MM_displayStatusMsg('regions');return document.MM_returnValue">French wine regions</a> | <a href=driving_routes_france.html target="_top" onMouseOver="MM_displayStatusMsg('routes');return document.MM_returnValue">routes</a> | <a href=discount_ferry_fares.html target="_top" onMouseOver="MM_displayStatusMsg('town guides');return document.MM_returnValue"> ferry to france</a> | <a href=site_maps.html target="_top">Site Map</a> | <a href=vineyards_and_wine_in_france.html target="_top" onMouseOver="MM_displayStatusMsg('wine list');return document.MM_returnValue">french wine lists</a><br> <a href=driving_france.html target="_top" onMouseOver="MM_displayStatusMsg('driving');return document.MM_returnValue">driving in France</a> | <a href=public_holidays_in_france.html target="_top">French public holidays</a> | <a href=french_lifestyle.html target="_top" onMouseOver="MM_displayStatusMsg('history');return document.MM_returnValue">France history</a> | <a href=rentals_hotels_in_france.html target="_top">self catering rentals</a> | <a href=driving_france.html target="_top">town guides</a><br> <a href=public_holidays_in_france.html target="_top">holidays and vacations in france</a> | <a href=contact_winedrive_france.html target="_top"> Contact winedrive </a> | <a href=food_in_france.html target="_top">Food in France</a> | <a href=default.htm onMouseOver="MM_displayStatusMsg('home page');return document.MM_returnValue" target="_top">Home</a></span><br> </p> </div></td> </tr> </table> <p> </p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" align="center"> <tr valign="middle"> <td height="70"> </td> <td height="70" class="copyright"> </td> </tr> <tr valign="middle"> <td width="5"> </td> <td width="80" class="copyright"><p>Copyright ©WineDrive<br> Limited 2001-2006</p> <p>Please read our Terms & Conditions </p></td> </tr> </table> <p> </p> </body>