Conference rocks::euro_motoring

    Assuming that speed is the choice, not scenery, I'd go straight south.  
    Calais-Reims-Lyon-Orange-Montpelier-Perpignan, it's autoroute all the
    way, the only tricky bit is getting through/round Lyon.
    
    Did you know that Salavador Dali said that Perpignan station was the
    centre of the world ?

    The motel at the Beaune rest area used to be quite reasonable.
    
    This is quite a long way to go from Reading in one stop though,
    especially with ferry crossings and the one hour difference.
    
    What time do you expect to leave Calais, and how many hours will you
    have driven by then?
    
    Chris

    (sorry for the delay)
    
    I'm arriving in Calais at noon on Friday.  I want to stop for the night
    around 18:00 (the kids will be tired by then).
    
    I've been down the Autoroute through Lyons (and stayed in Beaune
    several times - it is where they make my favorite plonk).  This time
    I was hoping to drive south from Orleans via Cleremont-Ferrant (sp?)
    and continuing south (there seems to be a gap in the Autoroute) and 
    joining the Autoroute on the south coast just above Narbonne.
    
    So,  I guess I'm really trying to get a feel for how far I'l be from
    Calais at six o'clock.  Speed isn't my problem - but lack of it may
    be:-)
    
    Jc

    Sound like you've done most of the thinking..  It strikes me that you
    will have a bit of problem getting around Paris on a Friday afternoon
    and may not get too far south.  I seem to remember something sepcial
    about the new Autoroute to Clermont - was it that they have subsidised
    the tolls to even up the loading between it and the "Autoroute des
    congees payees" ?
    
    As you spotted South of Clermont the Autoroute runs out and although
    you'll be going through some stunning counbtryside you'll also have a
    lot of traffic to content with.  I believe that Millau is a real pig to
    get across, although the countryside round their is stunning (IMHO).
    
    You might want to cut a bit further west to avoid the traffic, but it
    will be slow as well...

    Get the ferry to Santender, and head East.
    
    C

    My map of Paris shows that the autoroute from CdeG around to the A10 is
    "almost" complete (the A86).  Does anyone know if it is actually
    complete yet?
    
    Jc
    
    
    

    I know that the bit that joins the A13 at Orgeval (west of St. Germain-
    en-Laye) is open - when I drove to Le Havre from Evry last year, the 
    junction was being white-lined and cleaned.
    
    However, that doesn't really answer your question, does it?!
    
    Travelling on a Friday ('down' the A1), most of the traffic will be
    coming out of Paris. Once you reach the outskirts to the west and 
    south of Paris, need I say more? You could always use the A104/N104 
    from CdG towards Marne La Vallee/DisneyLand Paris, and the on towards 
    Evry, then pick up the A10 at Montlhery.
    
    I suppose you have thought of using the Portsmouth - Le Havre route? 
    [We used it (in preference to DoCa) as it was very convenient from Evry 
    to Newbury.]
    
    You could then pick up the A10 at Orleans (after passing Evreux, Dreux
    and Chartres).
    
    Martin.
       

    Thanks Martin,
    
    We normally go Portsmouth to Cherbourg or Le Havre, but the other half
    doesn't like boats so we are trying the hovercraft (again).  
    
    Now,  how to keep the Parisians in Paris for a couple of extra
    hours.....
    
    Jc
    

    I looked at a newer map than mine which claimed the A16 is being
    extended south from Boulogne - does anyone know if it is open yet?
    
    Jc