Driving tips Loire to Colmar
 

We would like to drive from Ambois to Colmar. Google maps routes us through Orleans, Auxerre, Beaune and Bescancon at 668 km and 6. 5 hours. If you've driven through here, does this route make most sense to you? Does the drive time seem reasonable?

Thank you,
Macboo

I've driven most of that. Check www.viamichelin.com too.

Beaune would be a good stop along the way.

Stu Dudley

That might be the shortest route, but if I were doing it I'd go Amboise to Orléans to Troyes to Nancy to Strasbourg and stop in Troyes.

I would go via Troyes and Belfort, the latter because Ronchamp is nearby although its fortification might be interesting. In essence, if you are not looking for the fastest route, the choice of touristy route depends on your interests.

I meant the fortification of Belfort.

Yeah that is about right. Are you driving it one day or staying ovenight somewhere. Stu is right that Beaune is a fun place to stop and if you left early in the morning it would be a great place for lunch. They have a nice public lot so that you can walk around all the old part of town.

Most of the drive suggested by Google and viaMichelin is autoroute, the least interesting way to drive across France.

You've never stated if you need to make this a 1 day drive and check into a Gite or Hotel by 4 to 6pm or so. Or if you have several days. It makes a BIG difference. I assumed you need to make this in 1 day (0 nights). 6 1/2 hrs by the quickest route possible would be my choice, because that's about 2 hrs longer than I would drive on any single day.

I also assume 6 1/2 hrs is really 7 1/4 with gas & pottie breaks, and 7 3/4 - 8 1/4 hrs with a stop for lunch in a villge along the way (not a autoroute restaurant).

So, leave Ambois at 8:30am & arrive at Colmar at 4:30-5 with lunch in Beaune.

Stu Dudley

Thank you everyone for your comments.

I think we'll stop in Beaune. The tip on the Michelin site ( www.viamichelin.com ) is going to be helpful in planning the other legs of our trips.

Safe travels everybody
Macboo

Hi mac,

See my trip report for getting from Beaune to Colmar (We stayed in Kientzheim - which I highly recommend) by the scenic route.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=35014078

((I))