Don't worry about not having a GPS, generations of Englishmen have marched all over France using nothing but a map! Using a map gives you a better idea of the bigger picture and you will actually know where you are. I use a GPS and for navigating through cities it's wonderful, but I always have the map in front of me too. I use Michelin regional series mostly but a good ring bound atlas of Europe is ok.

As for the ferry trip to Le Havre, good choice. I like that overnight boat. I understand that there is an overnight boat now on the return voyage, which is great as it used to deposit you back in Blighty at 21.30. Then I'd have a 4 hour ride in the dark before my bed. I always pay the extra £12 and go in the club class lounge (no kids running around) find a nice bit of floor and sleep all night. Arriving in France at 0800 ready for a good days riding.

As Caminando the Gaul says, anywhere in France is good really. Get on the D roads and explore.

Cheers Doc,I have just paid for my ferry, Portsmouth to Le Havre return for £73 + £15 for a sleeper seat! pretty good deal i think.
As for generations of Englishmen marching all over France with just a map......i used to see them marching all over back home (Ireland) aswell with just maps but i can only assume someone bought them a g.p.s. cause they all seem to have gone home!
MOON... Thanks for that info, i was going to use a 2007 map but looks like i need to buy a more up to date version now.
CAM and STEVE, i just had a look at Mont St Michel, Im now thinking of staying in Le Mans for just 1 night and squeezing Mont St Michel and maybe the Normandy beaches in on my way back to Le Havre.
Also....is it advisable to prebook campsites in France and are they well signposted from the main roads?
Thanks for all the help folks, it really is appreciated

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474

Le Mans of itself is not so interesting IMO. Why not go there some other time for the 24 hour, and experience some of the maddest camping and bike craziness? Spend more time at places like Mont St Michel. Don't book campsites unless it makes you feel better. Look for the sign "Camping Municipale" for communally owned ones. And you can always do wild camping for free anyway if you are discreet and careful. Why pay? Anyway the French won't bother you. Don't forget to say you're Irish if it comes up.

Between 12 and 14 hrs use supermarket restos to eat well and cheap - Carrefour, Geant, LeClerc, Casino, etc. Or buy your stuff there and eat beside a castle or vineyard etc. Why pay more?

Sounds like a great trip. I'm another France lover. One of my favourite things was stopping in the boulangerie every morning (one in every village) and loading up with pain au chocolate, croissants and baguettes. About an hour down the road I'd stop for breakfast and have my pain au chocolat and croissant, then for lunch I'd have some brie or camembert on some fresh baguette. Can't beat it! There are lots of roadside 'Aires' with picnic tables etc. to have breaks in. Much better than the UK in this respect.

Campsites tend to be signposted from the road, and in some places they are plentiful. However, there will be the odd place where they are a bit thin on the ground, so don't leave it too late to start looking. I wouldn't bother booking ahead as this will tie you to a particular place at a particular time, which can be a hassle if things take longer than you expect, you have a day ill, you really like one place, etc. etc. If the weather goes bad (or you can't find a good campsite) you could use one of the Formule 1 hotels or similar that abound in France. They tend to cluster around the major exits of the toll roads and are perfectly acceptable, if characterless.

I went to the D-Day Beach at Arromanches. It was fascinating. There are still remnants of the mulberry harbours lying not far out in the sea.

Navigation is pretty easy in France, even without a GPS. Everything is pretty well signposted and the maps seem pretty good.

Matt

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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

Thanks for the tips Matt, im taking it all on board! cant wait to get going now, all this advice has given me a lot more confidence to do this on my own.
P.S. I like your money saving idea for mounting a car sat nav to a bike! (in a seperate thread).

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474

FYI fuel (unleaded 95ron) in France, well at least southern france and around Millau is currently around 1.2-1.25euros per litre at supermarkets and 1.3-1.34 euros at petrol stations.

so with the euro as it currently is fuel is quite expensive. might be something worth bearing in mind if you plan to do lots of miles.