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Hi all, Iam off touring europe in January and would like some advice on the best route through France down to North eastern Spain.

I would love to miss all the toll roads but Iam not sure this is possible?.

As I will be traveling in january the weather will I am almost sure will be poor.So can we miss any snowy mountain areas?

Anyone else doing silly things like me around that time of the year or has anyone done it in the past?

Regards Simon

Anyone else doing silly things like me around that time of the year or has anyone done it in the past?

No you're not the only 'mad' one on here. I'll probably do Switzerland this winter.

hi redtuts so any ideas on the way to spain?

You need the 'Route du Soleil', straight down in a line rfrom calais to Barcelona, through Troyes, Lyon, Perpignan, towards Marseille, then turn right, follow the coast road through to Barcelona! There are various toll roads, all good. It costs around £30 North to South. Far better than the 'B' roads, and quicker too. This takes you around Paris, and skirts along the side of the Massif Central.

Hope this helps.

Simon

Don't forget at that time of year you will get limited daylight hours so the make reasonable progress your best bet might be to use the Autoroutes. Having said that we have experimented with travelling on the N roads, usually coming north as we leave the Med. A couple of good stretches are from Troyes to Challons and from Reims to St Quentin but these two together only account for about 130 miles of what is a 700 miles journey. Treat yourself to the Michelin Road Atlas of France, this is an excellent guide and you can see the sections quite clearly.

David

If towing a caravan I think around £60 each way, that's just down to Marseille.  Caravans/trailers are charged extra if above a certain height, I think +2m.  Under this it's the same rate as solo car.  But if you have plenty of time why go by motorway.  There are good RNs that run parallel to most of thr north south autoroutes.  See the country and towns and save a packet.  Also avoid the route around Paris like the plague.  Go south from calais past Reims to Dijon, only about 20miles extra but no traffic jams.

Sid

 Thanks everyone will give it more thought before we head off

Simon.