TTT -

Hi

its a long days drive, but fairly easy.

There is no direct route.

One way (which makes sense if cruising at 150km/hr on the autoroute) is:
St Remy via N99 to the Autoroute A7, then North via Lyon to A6. Turn off at Chalons, follow: Nevers, Bourges, Vierzon, Blois.

The other way is prettier, but maybe longer, is :
St Remy to Arles via N570
Arles to Montpellier via A54 and A9
From Montpellier signs for Millau, then pick up new autoroute A75 to Clermond Ferrand
Follow Orleans and A71 to Vierzon
Pick up new E-W autoroute signposted Tours
Take N765 Romarantin to Blois

This route has the benefit of free autoroute Montpellier to CF with great mountain views.

However it is a new route and the bridge is not finished at Millau. Expect queues in summer.

Either way it is about 700km

Think about stopping for a night ?

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

Peter -

Thank you Thank you Thank you -

We will definitely follow one of your suggested routes - How long should they take on a Sunday in October?

Do you have any recommendations where to stop overnight? Travel agent had suggested Lyon, but it seems silly to drive from St Remy to Lyon the first day (only 2-2.5 hrs?) and then still so much of the trip the second day...

Thank you again -

Hi

I had visitors who stopped at St Flour, and thought it was worthwhile for a visit.

On the other route I've stopped at Macon, and enjoyed exploring the old town for restaurants

Peter

Try looking at one of the road trip planning web sites. I like and use:

www.viamichelin.com
www.shellgeostar.com
www.multimap.com
www.mappy.com

Some of them will even give you an idea of toll road costs which can be pretty steep in France.

Thanks for your replies -

If we do decide to drive straight through from St Remy to Blois, can anyone give an estimate of the number hours? (I am not familiar with the terrain or traffic on a Sunday). Thanks again -

As said above, it is 700 km (440 mi.), most of which on highways. On a Sunday, 7 hours will be adequate. So if you leave by about 8 AM, and make twice a one hour pit stop, you can still reach Blois by 5 PM. Not much fun, but certainly not too stressing either.

Thank you thank you!

I will be sure to post a report when we get back...

Thanks again -

Take the road through Clermont-Ferrand but note that it is very windy. Prepare for long bouts of slow traffic - trucks, 18 wheelers driving up and down the twisty mountain roads. It is the only route through the central. Very beautiful drive, but do not rush it. Start early in the morning. Le Puy is a worthwhile stop.