Drive to Bergerac, France, October 2019
Outline
OK, so this weeks silly idea is to go for a walk around the wine region of Central France and then drop into some friends on the way home. We will drive to Bergerac France through Chateauroux and L’Absie France. Drive to Bergerac, France. October 2019
The plan is to drive to Gites La Colombiere, https://
Gites La Colombiere is situated at 24500 Sainte-Innocence, France.
The Gite is a distance of about 900 kms (about a 9 hour drive with no stops) from Calais Ferry port.
Obviously the first thing we need to do is book the ferry. The trick here is to go on a comparison website, find the ferry we want and then book directly through the ferry company (Supposing of course that the price is the same!). The rationale for this is that by booking direct if there are any subsequent problems you can go directly to the company and not get ‘passed back’ to the comparison site in the event of a problem. On some occasions you will get enhanced loyalty points.
Channel crossing
We searched through Aferry.com https://www.aferry.com/ and found the cheapest to be with DFDS Ferries. https://www.dfds.com/
Navigating your way through France can be ‘fun’ at the best of times. We used both Google maps https://www.google.co.uk/
Driving through France
Remember that you need a few car essentials such as headlight beam converters, hi viz jackets for the occupants, red triangle, and a first aid kit which are mandatory. I found the best way to get up to date was through the AA. https://www.theaa.com/
You really need to decide if it is cheaper to fly down to Bergerac and not have a car, or hire of course, or drive. In total we drove about 2,000 Kms and the fuel was about £150 and Motorway Tolls over £100. That is before wear and tear, food on route, hotels etc.
Sue and I have not really explored too much of France so we booked to stop overnight on route in a small town named Chateauroux, about 600 kms from Calais, about 6 hours. We took a route through the ring road of Paris. Whilst not a disaster, it was slow around Paris. We came back a different route, which is discussed later.
So far we are enjoying a great drive to Bergerac France through Chateauroux and L’Absie France
Chateauroux France
So our first stop was at Chateauroux, France, on route. We stayed at Hotel Restaurant Maurice, ‘Chez Maurice’ 7, Rue Ampere, 36000, Chateauroux, Tele Number +33 2 54 22 02 53. https://chezmaurice-
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Lets be honest you pay for what you get, but the Hotel Maurice is a family hotel. There is secure parking on the complex. The rooms are clean and tidy and the hotel is based within a very short walk of town. A short walk from the hotel is a Carrefour supermarket http://www.
Although Chateauroux is a large town, in keeping with a lot of France it closes quite early. We found ourselves walking along a very quiet main road at about 10pm, when we thought it could be around 3am, such was the deserted street.
We walked into the town centre, near the large church, Église Saint-André. Situated between the church and the railway station are several restaurants. We chose a
pizza restaurant,
Les Jardins D’italie, 61 rue Ledru Rollin,36000, Chateauroux, France. Telephone +33 2 54 07 60 94.
A great place. If you like trying the local beers then have a few in here. I had one that was a honey beer, about 7%.
Gites La Colombiere
Following day we set off to the Gites La Colombiere, a distance of about 350 Kms, roughly 3.5 hours.
We were aware that as we left the motorway and approached the Gite through small villages the traffic was a lot slower. It appears that you must obey the speed limits in the rural areas as the cameras or police will capture you. Far more use is made of ‘average speed cameras.’
As you drive up the long driveway the Gite La Colombiere https://
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The walking club we were with had hired the entire building for the weekend. Most had flown in on the RyanAir flight into Bergerac Airport, a short 20 minute journey. They were collected in a couple of minibuses which, with drivers, were at our disposal all weekend.
The gite can hold up to a party of 20. All the rooms appear different with a ‘French Countryside’ feel. Some are en suite, some not.
We were being catered for all weekend. Food was substantial, and the wine flowed.
The first evening we were taken to the local supermarket for essential supplies of beer and wine.
Eymet Town
The next morning we were taken on a great road walk to Eymet Town (1.5 hr walk).
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This is an historic town full of charm, and also ‘Trotters Independent Traders.’ You can see there is a British Ex Pat influence!
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Chateau Duras
In the afternoon we drove for about 20 minutes to the local Chateau Duras. http://uk.chateau-de-
Returning to the Gite, in the evening we made use of the indoor cinema, where there is a huge collection of films to watch. Just remember to save some beer and popcorn for the show!
Monestier
The following day was a minibus transfer to Monestier (15 minute transfer) for a trek through the vineyards and some road walking in a circular route back to the town centre, where we took lunch in Le Relais de Monestier. Le Bourg, 24240 Monestier, Aquitaine, France +33 5 53 58 13 90. A great ‘mystery food’ lunch with cuts of meat from not sure where, but tasted great. A few drinks and all for around 25 Euros per person. Which set us up for the afternoon of wine tasting at a local winery, Chateau Lestevenie http://www.chateau-
L’Absie, France
We left the Gite the following day and drove to the small village of L’Absie, about 300 Kms 3 hours, from the Gite. We stayed at Hotel L’Etoile, 17, Rue de la Republique, 79240, L’Absie. +33 5 49 95 80 27. In all cheapish hotels you get what you pay for, however it was very tidy, the staff were friendly. This hotel is family run, and the hotel is located above a bar, however the bar was closed when we got back from visiting friends nearby.
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The room cost 62 Euros, without breakfast. There is a Carrefour nearby for ‘supplies.’ Booked through Booking.com https://www.booking.com
Next day we drove via Rouen, to Calais. A distance of about 650 Kms. 6.5 Hours. Try to avoid Paris by going the ‘Rouen’ route which is easier and more pleasant.
A great drive to Bergerac France through Chateauroux and L’Absie France
A delightful trip.