Message Forums

Hi, we are doing the Portsmouth to Le Havre crossing to go down to La Garangeorie campsite in the Vendee.  there seem to be two obvious routes so I am not sure what is the best to take, any advice welcome.  (PS I think the site is very near to Le Pin which loads of you seem to go to so may know the route well)   We don't mind tolls or toll free roads .

We have driven to Vendee a few times before via the first route below and remember it as being quite busy. 

Route one skirts near to Rouen, then down to Le Man then Angers and onwards.

This route is marked as around 5 hrs

The other route is marked as around 5 1/2 hrs but we do also remember this side of France being that bit quieter on the roads so that might make a difference.

That goes Le Havre/caen/rennes/nantes.

We do have sat/nav and are experienced at driving in France albeit not towing as we usually went with Eurocamp being tenters until last year when we got the FC.

Thanks in advance

Honestly, in the great scheme of things, does it matter which way you go?

So there might be half an hours difference one way or the other... Or you could siop for lunch and that might take two hours extra. Relax, my friend. Go with the flow. It's a holiday, not a race to see who can get there first.

Have a good summer. Take care.

that's why I was asking really!!    We are not actually trying to find a way to save half an hour lol.     we have been to France loads but when the kids were little and we had less money we would usually cross via Dieppe and drive to the Loire/Vendee with no tolls. These routes tended to be quite busy so we are wondering if we can avoid and still get there within a reasonable travelling time.

We were quite surprised and pleased the first time we went to Brittany via Caen or Cherborg as the roads were almost car free and a joy to travel on.  My husband really enjoys driving in France when it is like this.  We have also been without kids in a two seater car a few times so clear roads are lots of fun.

Since then we have travelled a couple of times to the Landudoc region and know there is no easy route but there is spectacular scenary to balance out, plus we have usually had teenagers in the back.

Because we have not done the Vendee for over ten years we were hoping there is a chill route to take rather than a busy route but don't actually know which it is.

I would recommend the Caen, Rennes, Nantes route every time - very good roads and toll free in the main. Bear in mind that if you are travelling the first Saturday in August everywhere will be busy and it will add a few more hours on to your journey. There are plenty of Aires on this western route so as already said you can take your time and stop whenever.

arriving on a Friday  and only in the western side of France. 

We have arrived in the South once  and left too on a Saturday so more than fully aware of the traffic chaos down south and won't make that mistake ever ever again.  We had a car with no air con, two largish teenagers and 40 degrees so you don't tend to forget a lesson like that lol

Have done Caen to Vendee 4 times in last 5 years. Always caen/rennes/nantes for us and quiet each time (early July).

Recommend this book and website if you haven't already used it...

http://www.the-vendee.co.uk/

Very helpful section on directions from the various channel ferry ports and also which road to take as you get closer to your destination in the Vendee area.

fc