driving to france,any tips??

[pinkcowprint]

we have just come back from a fab hol in western france,we are thinknig of doing it again next year to a different area, but driving there and taking the dog,have never done this before so have no idea how long this will take,but would prefer eurotunnel as dont fancy having to leave our bulldog alone in the car while we are on the ferry,is it as quick to drive to northern spain?we aren't bothered where we go but western france,i have been told while we were there,is the most expensive and weather not as guaranteed?
any advice or experience appreciated,thanks

[annaside]

check the kennel club website, thekennelclub.org.uk/ for info on the pet passport that you'll need
the area around agen is really nice, we were there some years ago. it's much less busy than the dordogne, it's not far from the coast and there's loads to see and do.
enjoy!

[boxtops]

Northern Spain is further that Western France, but that's stating the obvious. The French are very hot on making sure you take the full safety kit, spare bulbs, hiz viz jackets, triangles, the lot. Both areas are on the Bay of Biscay which can be unpredictable. OH drives that way for work sometimes in a lorry, it takes him about a day and a half to Northern Spain in his truck from either Calais or Eurotunnel.

[Buenchico]

The Via Michelin routefinder is by far the best website for planning your journey:
http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

'Western France' encompasses a vast area but, for example, the journey from Eurotunnel to Bordeaux is quoted as taking just under 8 hours (plus, of course,the breaks which you'd need to add on), covering about 540 miles (nearly all on motorways). Toll charges are around £45.

The reason my mind turns to Bordeaux is that I was there a couple of days ago. It's a stunning city, with a vast area classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It exudes 'class' (with loads of fashion shops, quality chocolatiers and, of course, wine shops everywhere). Prices are reasonable though, with a good three-course lunch, in one of dozens of smart restaurants, costing between €12 and €15 (including the all-important 'vin compris'!).
Draught beer, in a back street bar, is around £5 per pint.

The Bordeaux area would be a good base for touring. It's close to the coast but with loads of inland attractions as well. The weather in that area is 'warm to hot' for most of the summer. Although the proximity to the Atlantic coast means that rainfall is relatively high, it's unlikely to be a major problem for most people. (It's been dry and warm every day this week, except for Wednesday - when I was there! But, even with light drizzle all day, it was still warm and plenty of people were sitting outside the cafés).

Chris

[Buenchico]

PS:
If you've not driven in France before, you should read this:
http://www.theaa.com/...s/general_advice.html
and this:
http://www.theaa.com/...ips/france-monaco.pdf

[wolf63]

If you are considering going during a hot period it may be a good idea to leave your dog at home. I understand wanting to take your furry friend with you - but Bulldogs don't deal hot weather very well.

Whatever you decide to do I hope that you have a great time.

[owdhamer]

We have had some great hols in france, a few tips beware the police, be polite, try and speak a little french, and you will be surprised how welcoming the french really are.We used to drink in a bar in treguier i thik thats how you spell it and the bar owner bought us a drink most nights, another reopened his shop for us to buy a map when the ferry company changed ports and a cafe waiter found us a table no one could .Put something in and you get some thing back

[pink-kittens]

from the op "we have just come back from a fab hol in western france,"

If you've not driven in France before .... eh??

OP: this covers it all
http://www.drive-alive.co.uk/

[mushroom25]

i've found that whichever journey planner is used (and the viamichelin one is indeed the best), the journey times quoted are always on the ambitious side - generally i assume an average speed of no more than 60mph, then add PNB time on to that - which for Eurotunnel to Bordeaux would equate to 9.5 to 10 hr.

[pinkcowprint]

pink kittens ,we flew to nantes and got the coach to resort.so no,we haven't driven in france before.