4 Day Trip To France, Any Recommendations

It would probably be helpful to have an update from one of the French residents here as to how things are now with the 80km/h speed limit on most roads other than Autoroutes and dual-carriageways. Has there been any relaxation in response to the protests? Is the limit as rigourously enforced as others? In the UK a blanket 50 mph limit would make for slow progress, but France is a much bigger country. There are ferries to Normandy and Brittany of course, as well as Calais.

 

Head to the Vosges or Ardennes. Plenty of great roads and scenery there.

 

Vosges is good but once, depending on where you are in the UK, you've get to the chunnel it's a full day of hard riding to get there, and another back, leaving only two days in the mountains.

As an intro, and again this is dependant on your location in the UK, I would recommend the following: Portsmouth > Le Havre night crossing and then Normandy and Brittany and back via Roscoff > Plymouth. Easily doable in 4 days. As you're in Dorset I would say that this is ideal.

If you're into WWII then all the better as there are many sites related to operation overlord along that route. I would recommend Major & Mrs Holts Battlefield guide as a starter for your planning.

The roads admittedly aren't, by some margin, the best that France can offer but to get "your feet under the table" of riding in France and the culture etc. it's a great option. Took a couple of friends who'd never ridden abroad before on this route in 2017 a few years ago. Intending to do it again with my biking meetup group in spring next year. I have route files from this previous trip if you want them as a foundation.

 

Been said, Vosges or Ardennes.
Smugly sat at a bar in the Pyrenees thinking about finding some food...but

There is a reason for heading south of Limoges, Clermont ferrand, Saint Etiene etc.
4 days does not give you much.

 

Many departments have ditched the 80kmh and gone back to 90kmh. Just something else to watch.
Best option is smooth backroads. They rarely have cameras.

 

From Portsmouth - do ferries go to St Malo ?

If so then there is a bit to do in that time.

Go to Le Mans which is not far - the motor museum, Mulsanne Straight, that kind of thing. The river Loire to the huge bridge over the mouth of the river Loire at St Nazaire - that is really crap yourself high as you are so close to the edge - impressive.

Then you have some WW2 military stuff on the river at Nantes, and Lorient submarine pens. St Malo itself. The stones at Carnac. Some nice little towns Such as Dol-de-Bretagne that is the cultural capital of Britanny.

 

Difficult to get down South where the best roads are (Var 83).. best to aim for the "Parcs naturel régionals"

If you are really in the countryside Routes Departmentals are rarely controlled for spirited riding..
RD (Routes Departmentals)
RN (Routes Nationals)

 

Good plan for a 5 day hit. Euro at its best for 2 years at the moment. 1.175 today on line for £750 on line. Travel Fx is my preferred exchange route. Cards can cost money on every transaction. Check your bank soon adds up with two of you.
Speed limits? Respect them. Over 80kph you miss a lot of what you are there for.
I love Provence, house there since 2003. First there picking cherries in 1977.
Gendarmes never caused me a problem and I do at least 1200 miles a year in France minimum even through COVID.
Enjoy

 

As Gartree says, Vosges over 5 days will work, just. Is this 5 days door to door? From Dorset there's a long slog to the chunnel, or are you thinking overnight ferry Portsmouth > Le Havre? The latter would be my preference as that would give you an early start off the ferry, you will have the circumnavigate Paris though. The distance from Coquelles to Vosges and Le Havre > Vosges is nigh on the the same but avoids the slog from Devon to Ashford. Early start from French port of entry and late arrival with a long day to do it in one hit, autoroute with tolls all the way wouldn't be my personal preference and you'd be hitting the good bits knackered and in the dark or failing light at best. Not enjoyable and next day you'll feel knackered.

What I tend to do is get across the channel with an early start (either night ferry or cheap hotel near chunnel), do autoroutes for the first 100/200 miles or so to get away from the coast which is pretty featureless/grim, then get off onto the N and D roads. With more time, a luxury you don't have, I'd also be stopping somewhere overnight and do cross country fresh and in good light.

Some great roads in the Vosges, have been several times either as a destination or passing through en-route to somewhere further afield.

 

Wales

 

The Millau Viaduct, Museum and surrounding area/roads are well worth a visit as an endpoint. Also, there are some decent roads and locations en-route, and you should be able to do it in 5 days from Dorset with some determined riding.
It might be worth considering if you should take an English version of the French "Constat Amiable D’Accident Automobile" form, for recording details in the event of an accident? Perhaps one of the Forum French residents could advise on this?
A few years ago, I had a bad experience in France that was aggravated because I didn't have a form, eventually it was resolved but a form would have helped.
Wherever you go, enjoy your ride and stay safe.
Good luck and Bon Voyage!
Tom.

 

Some good routes here that you can download to your satnav: https://www.ride.co.uk/routes-1/ride-guide-to-europe-third-edition

 

Attached in French and English.

 

I know you said France but if you are pushed for time and haven't been before Luxembourg has some amazing roads. Like a mini Alps.

 

Love Luxembourg. The city is a massive EU and every bank imaginable centre. Renown International school.Top restaurants and a very mixed community. Great roads around the Ardennes. Very organised place. Great public transport around the city. Cheaper fuel than France. Cheaper fags. I have friends living there so stop off at least once a year and they join me in Provence in Summer. Try it sometime. Lot of money in the place. Every super car made somewhere around.

 

I have never been to Luxembourg and reports are very encouraging, thinking of a go out Friday morning come back Monday night, do you think that is reasonable. And might you have any hotel tips, I guess as it’s a short stay we can stay in the same place or should we move around? Any hints and tips would be very much appreciated.

 

For a weekender, we take the coast road past la touquet to Abbeville, then bypass rouen via evreaux and Conches to Bernay. Coches has a nice road or two. Stay on departmente roads (D Roads) always.