ACA_Chap Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 Well as the title suggests I'm off to Chamonix. I'm especially looking forward to it for a few reasons: - We're going as a foursome because like most couples our skiing ability isn't exactly well matched. While I relish the opporunity to break a leg on the blacks (it's a week off work at least ), the Doris is far happier on the nursery slopes making sure she doesn't break a nail. - The snow reports for this week and the next sound awesome - It gives me some quality time with my bro who I don't get to see that much anymore So, back to the reason for the post. We're leaving London at around 3am for the 4am crossing to Calais. I've done the motorway route to the Alps a number of times, but I wondered what peoples' thoughts were on the normal A roads (RN's?). Has anyone got any experience of these, and if so: would you do it again (with reasons please!). Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 The N6 from the south of Paris down to Macon through Joigny, Auxerre etc is a very good run and very scenic if you have the time. Also some good Les Routiers type restaurants en route.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACA_Chap Posted March 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 How much longer would you say it takes compared to the toll roads? I don't mind a couple of extra hours if it's scenic, but wouldn't bother is it was full of roundabouts and took another 5 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitas3 Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 A good couple of hours extra I'd say - more if you stop off at places like Tournus (for the Roman abbey) or a brief diversion to Beaune for some wine! Chalon sur Saone was the trouble spot when we used to go down that way to Lyon but I think they may have bypassed now. Its highly recommended - some lovely villages on the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 I have done this drive and it is awesome. We must have averaged about 100mph all the way down, couldnt tell you what the roads are that we went on though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACA_Chap Posted March 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Oli you averaged 100MPH on the back roads? There's no way I'll manage that with a roofbox on the roof and two birds in the car, but if I could manage 60 mph (i.e do it in sub 10 hours with stops), I'd go for it. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted March 10, 2007 Report Share Posted March 10, 2007 No we were on the main roads in a 2.0 litre Carlton estate auto, five blokes in it with board bags strapped straight on the roof rack!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted March 14, 2007 Report Share Posted March 14, 2007 I used to go down to Northern SPain every year and never used the Toll roads, the French 'A' roads are great, some lovely scenery and in our estimations - my BRother did the trip Calais to France / Spain Crossing in 11hrs, our trip on the N routes took 15, but that took in some nice food on the way, so I reccon a couple of hours, 3 tops difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Sod that!! Autoroute all the way for me, my cousin lives in Geneva and my brother Works in Saas Fee as a Chef, you can do that journey in 7-9 hours no problem at all. I leave Geneva at 9am and back home in Norwich in time for dinner. Depends what you want from the drive, nice scenic route or to just get there? Is it really a nice scenic route with 4 of you and all your gear in the car? I would just want to get there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACA_Chap Posted March 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Sorry - I didn't see any of these replies originally...so here's an update We ended up taking the autoroute and it took 7 hours without really hammering it. The roads are great, although I must admit it did get a bit boring sat in the outside lane of a straight road which seemed to go on forever Two of us are heading out in a week's time and plan to take the non-toll roads, so I'll be able to make a comparision then. I imagine it'll take another three hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robs1977 Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 My cousin runs a hotel in Chamonix,her husbands family own it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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