Chris

I have got very tired and frustrated with BF. I used to have one of their property owners club cards that has been diluted in the benefits that you can get to the point where I just stopped renewing it. Now, I prefer to forsake the BF ferry and take Speedferries across to Boulogne at a fraction of the price. Of course you have to counter this with a longer drive to the Vendee but now that the auto routes are all joined up there is no problem. I will try LD Lines on my next trip over. Really, BF have to understand that they can't fleece the public anymore. Its also damaging the bookings for holiday homes as people are now saying "why bother with this expense when there are cheaper holidays available with easyjet etc". If BF can't see the writing on the walls by now.....

We have used the RAC route finder to be excellent (it gives you the distances of each stage in miles and km) when we went from Boulogne to Vendee and then from Vendee to Aurillac. The route was brilliant when we had to go round Poitiers and Limoges. You could also try the Michellin route finder. If you going from Rouen-Le mans make sure you have eniough gas as the service stations are quite far apart!

Hi: I would recommend you refuel at Leclercs hypermarket at Boulogne which was fine. Be aware that there are not many service stations between Rouen and Le Mans. There is one just outside Rouen before you turn off for Le Mans.  We had no probs with getting diesel but I would not refuel on the autoroutes as the fuel is expensive. We used our UK credit cards at the 24h pumps at Leclercs supermarkets in the Vendee without any problems so you should be OK.

We have just returned from a holiday in Vendee and as usual we loved the driving. No problems from French car drivers either. My biggest problem was with the signposting for Deviations. We had one near Le Touquet where there a couple of signs and then nothing for 10km on a country road. The French drivers were fine compared to the stupid woman on the M25 who was eating a packet of crisps whilst driving at over 80 mph. Final;ly, anyone in Vendee should be aware that the police are lurking around on the N137 between Ste Hermine and Lucon making spot checks on drivers and cars!

Hi all, I would appeciate any personal recommendations for an English speaking Notaire / Estate Agent in Vendee Department 85 who could handle the sale of our Gite. Many thanks, Chris

Hi, Does anyone happen to have some details of a B&B in the Rouen area for one night at the end of May? I am driving to Calais from Vendee and would like to stop for one night in Rouen to explore the city. Thanks, Chris

One item from me! We no longer leave towels and tea towels for the guests; we just cover the bed linen and ask them to bring their own.  Hope that this helps. Chris

Help! I would like to know if there are any English speaking agents in the Lucon area of Vendee (85) who could handle the change overs of guests using my holiday home as well as routine and garden maintenance? The Gite is quite small (2 bedrooms) with a small garden. Pls let me know if anyone could help me out as my current agent has sold his business! Many thanks, Chris B