We will be travelling from Beaune to Dinan next May. I would appreciate any help on the best route to take - would like to do the drive in one day but if a scenic option is suggested, we will consider. Thanks for any suggestions.

Well, Viamichelin.com shows a suggested routing via Paris as taking about 6.5 hours. You can also ask for the scenic route (via Bourges and Tours - the Loire Valley approach I guess you'd call it) and that takes almost 11 hours. (We are talking about Dinan in Bretagne, Oui?).

Anyway, take a look at the Michelin site and play with their mapping options. I've found their time estimates to be fairly accurate. I like the idea of spending the night along the way - say in Chenonceaux...or Amboise, etc.

Good luck.

You are spoiled for choice. Take the N roads and you will have no problem!

We drove from the Beaune area (actually, a little south of Macon) to Bourges in about '98 and that route is a long, tiring, and unscenic drive. For some reason, there are lots of trucks on the 1 lane roads (no freeways) - and we were constantly trying to pass them, but with not a lot of luck. By the time we got to Bourges, we were quite worn-out. Once past Bourges, it is all un-scenic freeway to the Loire chateaux area (drove that portion last year). Viamichelin says it is 4 1/2 to 5 hrs to Chennonceaux from Beaune via Bourges. However, the almost-all-freeway route via Auxerre is 4 hrs - but pretty un-scenic. Either way, you will get to the Loire area just after lunch, which will allow you time to see about 2 Chateaux. Then the next day it is a 3 1/2 hrs to Dinan from Chennonceaux. Another boring drive (via la Mans).

So you've taken up 1 1/2 days & all you have seen is 2 chateaux (but some good ones). The scenery will not be very interesting.

I think I would take the quickest route possible to Dinan from Beaune. JoeCal said it is a 6 1/2 hr drive (again, not scenic - we've driven most of those roads many times).

Stu Dudley

Thank you for your suggestions. As we have previously visited the Loire chateaus - will opt for the direct route just bypassing Paris.

>>We drove from the Beaune area (actually, a little south of Macon) to Bourges in about '98 <<

Oops - I was a decade off. We drove the route in '08

Stu Dudley

Perhaps stop in Chartres to break up the drive.

Stu Dudley

Stu -
Thank you for your great suggestion. Chartres sounds like a great spot for a break and chance to view the huge cathedral. Also thanks to your reports on this site, we stayed in our first gite in 2008 and have now booked gites in Burgundy and Brittany for next spring. Your advice is invaluable.