Travelling through France.

[barrypat]

It's been several years since we have been abroad but we are booked to go to a wedding in France. Ferry booked to calais 6th August for ten days, the venue is quite a way into France, close to Condom.. and Bergerac. Looking at maps it would appear there are far more toll roads than I recall also Lez around Rouan which our van is non compliant. I would like to ask if any seasoned travellers out there could help me with a route to get to my destination, I would love to travel avoiding toll roads, if I have to use tolls what's the best way to pay?
Being a cheapskate I would prefer not to, in the past I have had problems at the pay station whereby I was being charged for what I believed to be Hgv class, not being able to speak French I found it quite stressful, our van is an Autotrail Mohican. Hope someone can help me with info..

 

[Sharon the Cat]

I couldn't give you a route but we use a TomTom satnav which is a few years old. In the settings we always leave it on No toll roads and No unpaved roads.
In over 10 years we've only paid one toll. It was peanuts for a bridge over the Seine.

 

[Canalsman]

I always travel using non-toll roads and I, too, have the avoid option set in my satnav app.

I dislike driving anywhere near Rouen so I choose Les Andelys as a waypoint en route.

 

[Val54]

If you choose to use Les Andelys to avoid Rouen, then after Les Andelys head for Gaillon and Evreux to get on the N154 for Dreux, Chartres, Chateaudun, Tours ... then pick up the D910 down to Chatellerault to Poitiers, then N10 to Angouleme and Bordeaux. After that it will depend on exactly where you are heading around Condom. Allow plenty of time whilst these are main roads they pass through towns and villages where you can expect delays. On the plus side you see a lot more of France.

 

[REC]

If you choose to use Les Andelys to avoid Rouen, then after Les Andelys head for Gaillon and Evreux to get on the N154 for Dreux, Chartres, Chateaudun, Tours ... then pick up the D910 down to Chatellerault to Poitiers, then N10 to Angouleme and Bordeaux. After that it will depend on exactly where you are heading around Condom. Allow plenty of time whilst these are main roads they pass through towns and villages where you can expect delays. On the plus side you see a lot more of France.

Our usual route exactly....

 

[barrypat]

Thanks for the information, we have tracked the route on the map and will use the suggestions.
We got a new cheap and cheerful satnav a while back, its a Navpal 7" screen, it will be interesting to see how it performs on this journey.

 

[Drover]

Calais to Condom at class 2 rates is just over €155..
Best dodge 'em

 

[barrypat]

How much would class 3 be?

 

[Val54]

€235

 

[Eriba]

Thanks for the information, we have tracked the route on the map and will use the suggestions.
We got a new cheap and cheerful satnav a while back, its a Navpal 7" screen, it will be interesting to see how it performs on this journey.

Worth noting many speed limits have changed, especially on main roads so watch the signs carefully
In and around town it's common to find 30 kph etc.
I find it a pleasure but others seem it differently!
You will find the roads in much better condition than the UK, and the villages well cared for, in short a pleasure avoiding the Peage