Couple of Runaround Stops From Zeebrugge to Loire?

[Highlander]

Arrive on ferry at Zeebrugge on a Sunday morning, driving down to Tours. End of July.

Will have 2 boys, age 6 and 4.

Can anyone recommend a couple of stops for food and a runabout for the children?

Will you be going via Paris or Rouen?

hastily checks googlemaps...........

Probably via Paris on the way down.

via Rouens on the way back (having a couple of days nr St Valery-sur-Somme)

Any of the Aire de service will be fine as stops in France, although they are mostly on the pay motorways and there aren't many around Paris itself.

If you want to stop somewhere near Rouen let me know how long you want to stop for and I can probably suggest somewhere.

South of Rouen there is a lovely new service stop, lots of outdoor space with a shop, Paul and cafe. Will find the name and add later - Paris way I can't help much. Will also be able to suggest one for between Rouen and port - will pop back tomo once I have grabbed my map! Think South is Allenconnes.

eek, bit embarassed. The last few days at St Valery is north of Rouen. We have the whole day so we might visit Thiepval and the Lochnagar Crater.

Any suggs for the way down would be good.

Someone has told me to avoid going down via Paris as it can be chocka.

We'll thus go by Rouen - the name of that stop would be fab G-A-S!!

Paris can be bad but it's usually on change-over days ie Saturday or late on Sunday.

I would second the going via Rouen. We used to always go via Paris to I'le D'Oleron (near La Rochelle) Past 6 years we have been via Rouen - heaven!

I will have a play around with the route and be back shortly.

Ok so.... what I would recommend would be these two:

Baie de Somme website here This is just north of Abbeville. I have linked to the photo album as it shows you the facilities - there is a shop, and a cafe/restaurant but the best bit is boardwalks outside over big ponds - lots of ducks and fish to see. Also a childrens play area to run off some steam. Relatively new service station so very clean, airy and bright.

Next I would aim to stop north of Rouen for maybe a drink and a toilet stop. Rouen is the most stressful part of this journey as a lot of it is stopping and starting at traffic lights. Consult a map beforehand and note the quiest way through - our sat nav loves trying to take us the long way!

The next one we use is Alencon (or Aire/Relais de la Dentelle) Address: Aire de la Dentelle, 61250, VALFRAMBERT This service has a restaurant/cafe, Paul, Shop and outdoor space. I think there is a childrens play area but please don't quote me on that. Once again this is an even newer service station, clean, light and lots of toilets!

Best wishes for your holiday.

Yes, Baie de somme highly recommended by friends too.

THANK YOU!!!!!

Will let you know how it goes...... bearing in mind the holiday is the middle of August.

These Aires look v nice. Not your average yucky UK motorway stop!

They are really good and like the rest of France very family focused. Travelling on a Sunday is nice as lorries are not allowed to travel (unless holding perishable goods) Also as long as you avoid the first weekend of August (big exit to the coast!) and the last weekend (big return!)

The toll from Rouen to Tours is about ?26 so isn't cheap but is a brand new stretch of motorway. Also if you need petrol my suggestion would be to get it either as you pass through Rouen (there are a good few supermarkets where is can be as much as 15cents a litre cheaper than motorways or at the Dentelle service station as there are not that many on the stretch from Alencon - Tours.

If you need any other info just shout!