Planning to visit early June, via the tunnel.
We went to Honfleur and St Malo last year and loved the top down driving experience.
Looking at a 9-10 day trip away. We returned from St Malo to Calais in one go on the motorway and it wasn’t the best fun…
I would like to start with the Normandy beaches before the anniversary date and then head south.
We would like to go further afield and as far south as Bordeaux. I would like a circular route rather than return back on ourselves.
We are complete novices to France so would appreciate any route tips, not driving in France tips as I have read all those topics.
Are there places we MUST visit or other beautiful places to stop?
Thank you for any advice
We are in planning for a Motorcycle tour doing almost the same sort of thing.
Not sure where you are - we are starting Manchester area.
Our round trip will be :
Day 1 - Head down the country ( probably through Wales ) to somewhere near Bovvy Tank Museum
Day 2 - Visit Bovvy Tank Museum
Day 3 - Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum + poole to cherbourg ferry
Day 4 - Start heading up French coast ( memorial sites, Normandy beaches + Somme )
Day 5 - continue up French coast ( memorial sites + Dunkirk )
Day 6 - head for chunnel - take chunnel - head up to Duxford area.
Day 7 - Visit Duxford War Museum
Day 8 - head up country ( possible matlock bath area ) - then across towards Manchester
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A possible route is to head to Bordeaux via the western Route from St Malo via Rennes, Nantes & La Rochelle and then take an inland return route via Limoges, Orleans & Rouen, taking in the Loire Valley and its chateaux.
Must sees along this route are Dinan just south of St Malo, Le Manoir de l’Autmobile, an amazing private car museum about 25 km south of Rennes, Dune du Pilat southeast of Bordeaux and Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley.
If you are interested in history, for an amazing place to stop you could try l’Hôtel de Fontevraud L’Ermitage located in the medieval abbey and close to the Royal Fortress of Chinon.
Also over the years we have found that for overnight stop-offs Campanile Hotels offer comfortable accomodation with good parking, food and beverage available and are reasonably priced.
Thanks Mister H, that’s great tips
Just booked a Campanille in Bayeux for 2 nights.
Any other advice on things to visit further south? As far as Bordeaux?