How long to drive to the South of France?

[BeachedWhale]

We are off to somewhere near Nice in August and have completely mucked up our holiday plans. We had hoped to go on the motorail from Calais with 4 yr old twins plus 8mth baby thinking it would be nice and easy. Tried to book today to be told that our car is too tall apparently to fit on. (a boring old Seat with no redeeming features other than the capacity to cram in a load of kids and related junk) Has anyone driven from Calais to Nice with a hoard of kids and if so, how many days should we plan for (allowing for the fact that DS's asking "are we nearly there yet" on a trip to Tesco and DH can't pass a motorway services without "just popping in for a quick pitstop".
Help! My nice relaxing holiday treat for producing a third sprog is fast turning into logistical nightmare

PS met dh in a disco in St Tropez in 1983 so always had a soft spot for area

ggglimpop - thanks for the link. Will be travelling on one orange and one red day I had no idea that you can get all this colour co-ordinated travel info! Will live and learn I suppose.
Cam, I am looking up St Paul De Vince in my guide book at the mo. Looks great.
Crunchie - the DVD idea sounds like a godsend. A good DVD always gets me out of trouble when having a bad day at home.
Swedishmum - how romantic to have met DH in St Tropez. Despite the travel nightmare I am really looking forward to exploring the Cote D'Azur as I've never been to that part of France.
Has anyone been to Grasse or the Gorge du Verdon? are they worth a trip?

One good thing about the Nice area is that there is now a fast proper road behind Nice to take you to other areas - when I first went down to the S of France in the mid-1970's we travelled along the Corniche - in parts completely hair-raising. As I'm a sucker for art I had to visit the Colombe d'Or (a hotel where the Impressionists used to gather). Grasse used to be nice but is now somewhat built up I believe. Read Graham greene for how Nice used to be and Super-Cannes by JG Ballard for how it is now.

St paul is gorgeous, but wildly fashionable and expensive.Just the prettiest place.had to just look at the menus and not eat though.

I'm doing a similar trip to the SW of France - just south of Bordeaux. We are taking a week to travel down staying at campsites or B&B's on the way. We've then got a whole week in a lovely house and are travelling back in 2 days - not looking forward to that bit. Will end up returning home feeling more stressed and ready for a holiday!

COME AND SEE ME!!! I live in Langoiran which is South of Bordeaux, near the river. If anyone is going to South of France on their hols then I insist they look me up! Be great to see some Mumsnetters!

Rather late on this one but just wanted to say buy the DVD player! Last year I drove from Austria to UK (& return) on my own with ds 2 and the dog. I bought a DVD player for the return trip, an absolute lifesaver.

DVD player essential

and don't drive on the 15 August

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We did this drive two years ago, took a day-and-a-half, roughly. Set off early from S. London to the Tunnel with a stop-over in Dijon.

Will always remember driving back, it was when the heatwave hit (lots of deaths in France), and the temperature hit 100 degrees over here (a very sticky* journey!).

Have also driven from Biarritz to London in a day!

We travel every year for last 2 weeks in August (cheapest weeks) & always take v.early Saturday Dover/Calais crossing, one overnight stop (Novotel at Chambray-les-tours is good) & arrive by 4pm next day. Last 2 years went to just above Biaritz, year before went to the Med (Languedoc). Again, we had a laptop playing DVD'S which was a lifesaver.

we've done the drive to the south of france with a 5yr old a couple of times, stopping overnight halfway. certainly a dvd player is a must. She also liked her personal stereo with story tapes..
The one good thing about driving in france is that the service stations on the autoroutes are great - 100% better than the Uk. They are very regular and usually each service area has a good childrens play area and picnic area- we even found one with a bouncy castle!
best wishes! I wish I was going to france this year!

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Always thought people with DVDs in cars were odd - till we got one! Have since driven all round Europe, including out here to Sweden 1300miles with no arguments from three kids. Willnever be without one again!

see Sunday Times today10/04/05

three ways to cruise through France

Very timely, sorrel!

We've always spent two nights en route to the SoF - one just south of Paris, and the other approx. Avignon.