Where to stop between Caen-Le Mans

[Dobbo]

After doing the long slog from calais for the last 3 years, finally stumped up the money and going portsmouth-caen for the first time.
Taking the Tue night ferry so should have a nice relaxing drive down to Le Mans on Wednesday morning. Anyone know of some good bars/cafes on the route where I can get some breakfast or beer?

[Lorry]

There are about 3 cafes around the car park just off the ferry, all of which do a good cafe et croissant.  Nothing too special.  Try the Broch d'Argent, or the one next door.  We never found anywhere worth stopping at on route, unless you get really lost.

Paying six quid for the waiter service breakfast on the boat was popular, because it properly cooked, (butl a bit French) and its all the croissants you can eat, plus free coffee and juice - fill your boots!

[jpchenet]

As Lorry says, eat and drink on the boat is easiest, and then trundle down in one hit. It's only 90 to 100 miles so even with a stop at the hypermarket you'll be on site with the beers open by late morning!!

[Dobbo]

Cheers. I'm sold on the boat food. Base camp assembled and beers cracked by noon sounds good to me. It will be a very welcome change from the 6 hour drive of last year (we got lost in Rouen predictably )

[Perdu]

Dobbo, the getting lost in and or around Rouen, isn't just predictable it is a requirement probably by the French Tourist Bureau. If you don't do that at Rouen they regard it as a "fail" when assessing the planning dept's performance at losing Brits. 

I understand that 3% are expected not to ever make it home as well. How else can there be the available cancellations that always let some lost souls get the earlier ferry?

 

[Robbo SPS]

After a few beers on the boat with the very un-usual 1am closing we went for more sleep and a stop for coffee and food.

We stopped at Falaise and the breaksfast was ace. Parking out the front and coffee on tap.

We always stop for brekkie, it gives you a little flavour of france first thing on the trip.

We arrived by midday this yera despite my brother being shocking with his ability to follow us or look in a map ( he didnt have one - or a clue where he was going )

[Dobbo]

Perdu, know where you're coming from with the Rouen situation! Got lost there in the middle of the night once as well. I had been on the brink of falling asleep at the wheel at the time so the stress suffered at least served to wake me up!!
Cheers Robbo, thats the kind of thing I had in mind. Always see some brits parked up outside a typical french cafe but never had the time to stop before. Always too concerned about getting to the track to bag a pitch. Things will be different this year, oh yes!! I'll give Falaise a try.

[Lorry]

Dobbo, the getting lost in and or around Rouen, isn't just predictable it is a requirement probably by the French Tourist Bureau. If you don't do that at Rouen they regard it as a "fail" when assessing the planning dept's performance at losing Brits. 

Got it in one.  The big advantage to Caen is that you miss Rouen.  And the adrenalin does keep you awake at night, mile after mile through the docks/industrial area.  Found a village name I remembered and went for it - straight to Rondpoint du Vaches.  Must get GPS, just for Rouen

[Robbo SPS]

Perdu, know where you're coming from with the Rouen situation! Got lost there in the middle of the night once as well. I had been on the brink of falling asleep at the wheel at the time so the stress suffered at least served to wake me up!!
Cheers Robbo, thats the kind of thing I had in mind. Always see some brits parked up outside a typical french cafe but never had the time to stop before. Always too concerned about getting to the track to bag a pitch. Things will be different this year, oh yes!! I'll give Falaise a try.

Last year we followed a yellow ferrari of the ferry at Caen, he went zooming off.

We then went past him as he was parked up at a cafe.

Later on he followed us into Maison Blanche, Hare and the Tortoise.

[DelBoy]

Must get GPS, just for Rouen

Just sourced a cheap GPS system, provided you have a laptop.  Software and hardware for £99.99 which covere the whole of Europe.  A bit cheaper than £700 for Tom Tom (or whatever).

Del

[Bob U]

Whats with all this "Lost in Rouen" malarkey, use the directions on The Twats website and you can't go wrong. Unless that is, they close the tunnel due to an accident like they did a couple of years ago and not bother with any detour signs. That year we got hopelessly lost and ended up in a school playground just as the kids were turning up. Ha He Ha stoopid rosbifs.

[Barry]

Can't see the problem with Rouen, Jo managed to navigate me through with no problems, and this is the girl who agreed to me printing the words left and right in the  top corners of our route notes

[Kpy]

Can't see the problem with Rouen

Well I certainly can't. But then I live just 35 miles to the north.
I can post maps, itineries, whatever you like, to guide you through, after which you won't get lost - including the link to the new motorway which opens in 10 days time.
Just need to know that it will be a stickie, and that involves Smokie.
OVER TO YOU CHUM.

[Barry]

Can't see the problem with Rouen

the new motorway which opens in 10 days time.

Kpy
According to my info the new autoroute starts near J25 on the A13 near Bourg-Achard, is that correct?
Also are the sevices and rest areas in place when a new autoroute is opened? Or do they come on line later?

[smokie]

Of course I'll make things sticky for you Kpy 

Let me know what you want to post - might be better to link from the Useful Info thread, with appropriate acknowlwdgements so you get your 5 minutes of fame