Driving from Calais to Banyuls Sur Mer - route ideas please

Hi,

We are driving down to Banyuls in early September and would like use a scenic route there and back using B roads as apposed to motorways with tolls. We will have 2/3 days both ways, but can play with days at the moment as nothing booked.

We then thought maybe Rheims - Dijon - Lyon, does this sound okay or is there a better route that way and would we need to stop 1 night or 2 ? we don%26#39;t mind driving long distances as we share the driving.

We are thinking of Rheims for our first nights stay as we will have a 4 hour journey in England to reach Maidstone and will arrive in Calais mid morning.

We will have 7/8 days in Banyuls and would like a different route for the return, again 2/3 days. Is it unthinkable to return via La Rochelle.

Thank you

Shirley-7

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Reims definitely would make a good first-night stop for you. Driving-wise it is a comfortable distance from Calais. IF your ferry docks in the morning, you should reach Reims by mid-late afternoon, enough time perhaps to have a small wander around the gorgeous Cathederal, sort your accommodation, and have a good %26#39;Champagne%26#39; dinner, to celebrate your first night in France.

IF you can spare another day/night before reaching Banyuls, then go via Troyes, Nevers, Moulins %26amp; Vichy taking then the D906 south through the Massif Central/Auvergne to stay at Le Puy en Velay, a really interesting small city to visit.

Next day you can drive to Banyuls.

On the way home, if you can spare 2 nights, try Dijon and Laon.

OR for a one-night trip, mid-way up (with a small deviation) is Blois or Orleans, for a little time on the Loire.

I%26#39;m sure you can work out good ROADS for yourself and hope these suggestions are of use

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Hi,

Thank you for your reply - outward journey sounds great. We may have to return the %26#39;quick%26#39; route now as holiday length has been shortened to 10 days. So 3 days down - 5 there - 2 return.

Thanks again

Shirley-7

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