Can Anyone Recommend A Stopping Off Point (Calais to La Reole)

[meiklejohn]

It'll be the 1st time I've done this journey by Car.

According to the Route Planners it will take 9.5 hours and I'd like to stop about halfway.

Thanks

[Anton Redman II]

Try Sees :

http://www.hotelrestaurantsees.com/

Hotel shabbier than web site suggests but food good. Last used about three years ago

[Judith]

When we used to do this trip (to Duras, so near enough), we used to stop at the Amboise IBIS.  Depends on your route, but would have thought Sees was too far north and you would have a long journey the next day.

Amboise depends on what route you chose.  We found that after Chartres, we might well mix the autoroute and N10, though for many years the N10 was our preferred route, except for autoroute around (say) Poitiers, and if so, the N10 down from Chartres (good except for Chatellerault), after Vendome, you arrive at the Amboise road.  This road goes round Amboise, and the IBIS is on this road, near a Le Clerc's, and from there we followed the route which avoided Tours and arrived back at the N10 just south of Descartes. 

If you want more details, pm me, I can find the actual instructions we used for navigating if you need them.

We have always found that somewhere in the Loire valley area is a good half way stopping point.

[Anton Redman II]

Now the Autoroute is open between Rouen and Tours unless I was breaking the journey there I would need a fair bit of persuading to pass through Chartres.

Take the point that it is a bit far North

[just john]

Depending on your time and route, we did similar route but Calais to Chinon; 5.25hrs (mostly motorway) and Chinon to La Reole 4hrs (only 75% on motorway). Bit less motorway and more interesting drive plus of course Chateau Chinon is fascinating, maybe take a look at  hotel diderot .

 

[cooperlola]

Ecommoy sounds about right in distance terms and is a very quick hop off the motorway.  Of course there is Le Mans itself - a city with much more to offer than just a race.

[Stan Streason]

Of course it all depends upon what you want.  Type hotels Futuroscope into Expedia and a whole list comes up from around £55.  If you just need a stopping off point and dont mind a modern box type hotel - Plenty of choice - right next to A10 and about 5 hours drive from Calais.

[meiklejohn]

I'll probably stick to the Motorway though the tolls could be dear.

I have looked at stopping in Angers for the night as it's a city I previously visited and absolutely loved.

I would probably prefer to stay somewhere nice rather than a Motorway Hotel

Actually what about Saumur? Anyone been?

[cooperlola]

I love Saumur - it's actually quite small so good for overnight and to pick up some fizz bargains at the same time (the Gratien and Meyer built-into-cliff caves are stunning)  and has a very horsey heritage too.   It's a long time since I actually spent the night though so can't speak for hotels these days.

[just john]

[quote user="cooperlola"] I love Saumur - it's actually quite small so good for overnight and to pick up some fizz bargains at the same time (the Gratien and Meyer built-into-cliff caves are stunning)  [/quote]

I can vouch for both Saumur, (though these places aren't worth the detour for just half an hour stopover, it takes longer than that to get into), and Gratien & Meyer Rose, just lovely, we still have a bottle left we are struggling to resist[:D]

[meiklejohn]

Thanks!