Calais to Pyrenees

[ry8762]

Im getting desperate now with way to much to do before i leave in less than a week but our plans have changed now and instead of getting the ferry to Santander we are now trekking through france so can anyone please recommend a route down to the Westish side of the Pyrenees (Pamplona to be exact) that is "biker" friendly without all the tolls and major roads that does not go off track to much?

I have been advised to do the toll roads (fastest route) to Limoges and then take the N21 from there but i would rather find something a little more interesting if anyone can chip in please? or better still a gpx would be great!

Regs

Ryan

[Pongo]

I live down in the mid south west near Angouleme, and this is the route I take to Calais from Poitiers ( and reverse) as it avoids most of the toll roads, and there are things to see en route if you have time, like Chartres Cathedral. From Bordeaux south through the Landes is quite flat and a bit uninteresting so the Autoroute is the best bet towards Bayonne. Bayonne to Pamplona is a great run. O.K. place Pamplona, full of students - but beware of the buses, they ''squeeze you'' in the narrow streets.

Calais
Abbeville
Rouen
Evreux
Dreux
Chartres
Tours
Chatellerault
Poitiers
Angouleme
Bordeaux
Bayonne
Pamplona.

Have fun!

[oldbmw]

Originally Posted by Pongo

I live down in the mid south west near Angouleme, and this is the route I take to Calais from Poitiers ( and reverse) as it avoids most of the toll roads, and there are things to see en route if you have time, like Chartres Cathedral. From Bordeaux south through the Landes is quite flat and a bit uninteresting so the Autoroute is the best bet towards Bayonne. Bayonne to Pamplona is a great run. O.K. place Pamplona, full of students - but beware of the buses, they ''squeeze you'' in the narrow streets.

Calais
Abbeville
Rouen
Evreux
Dreux
Chartres
Tours
Chatellerault
Poitiers
Angouleme
Bordeaux
Bayonne
Pamplona.

Have fun!

I would vary this route a bit... At Chartres on the ring road, pick up the RN10 and follow it down as said above until after Bordeaux. Then get off the RN10/A63 at exit 10 onto the D810 then D12. From there go to st jean pied de porte There is an excellent campsite at Ascarat a mile or two before St jean. From there cross over into Spain and follow the road to Pamplona. This avoids tolls and heavy traffic that the Bayonne route entails.

As said, have fun.

[cpct]

I will be driving driving from Belgium to the region of Santander around July, so I'm also quite interested in the suggestions