Calais to Dordogne, where to stop

[SurreyisSunny]

I’ve booked a barn in the Dordogne for late summer and we’ll be driving. Me, my mum, my DS (3 almost 4) and a dog. I think it’s about an 8 hour drive.

We are planning to stop for the night en route half way both directions and would also like to break the 2 x 4 hour drives with something to do.

Any suggestions?

Hi @SurreyisSunny we did this trip last
Summer and stayed in Chartres based on recommendations on here -
Have a look

Here is my thread !

Stopovers Calais to Dordogne www.mumsnet.com/Talk/holidays/4551572-stopovers-calais-to-dordogne

I do this drive every summer. Are you going round Paris or via Rouen as that will dictate where you stop.

Also when are you crossing the Channel (ie what time do you arrive in France?)

@Shinyandnew2022 Thankyou, super helpful

@CoQ10 we’ve not planned the route, will probably work around where to stop and which is the easiest (not necessarily fastest)

Going via Rouen is shorter and easier and the A20 is free from rolls from Vierzon south.
From Rouen you head south Évreux Dreux Chartres and then motorway.
There's a chocolate museum at Damier near Dreux, a nice Logis at Verneuil sur Avre, and a nice B&B hôtel at Rouen.
Depends where in the Dordogne you're going as it's a huge département.
Going via the tunnel gives you a bit of a boost as you're further south.
You'll need a Crit air sticker for driving around Rouen, but you can buy them for cars with foreign plates ie non French cars.

@SurreyisSunny this is my other thread as we were planning the trip it gave us some
really good recommendations which you might appreciate depending on exactly where you are based .
We had an absolutely fabulous holiday !

Recommendations for Dordogne area and accommodation? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/holidays/4481982-recommendations-for-dordogne-area-and-accommodation

@Shinyandnew2022 Thankyou for sharing. We’ve booked a lovely looking barn with private heated pool so really looking forward to it!

@newtb do you need a sticker if you just drive via Rouen?

Saumur in the Loire - perfect place to stock up on wine and really beautiful!

@wowsaidtheowl sounds right up our street!

I love this thread! Watching with interest...

It's not directly on the way, but Puy de Fou is the most brilliantly insane theme park you will ever visit, and you could stay the night in a Roman Villa...

www.puydufou.com/france/en

We stayed in Chartres en route to Moningnac. Even if you only get the evening there, it’s lovely, with son et lumiere all about town.

Samur is also gorgeous, and a little easier to navigate perhaps, with fabulous restaurants.