Route to Spain

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ANDKEZLULA

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Norfolk Broads
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2021
Hi all,
we are heading off via calais to Barcelona on the 16th December(for Christmas) then Cadiz, any tips & best route to avoid using snow tyres etc would be much appreciated.
Its our first time in the van to Spain but have been to France a few times, all be it summer trips. We are hoping to not have to book any sites & are happy to use Aires.
Grateful for any feedback.
 
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ANDKEZLULA said:
best route to avoid using snow tyres etc would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Do some research on this as there was a post recently regarding snow / winter tyres and a legal requirement in a lot of the french regions. I think to be legal in those areas you need tyres marked M&S or have the 3 peak symbol.
There are a couple of route recommendations in the resources section.
 
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Barcelona to Cadiz....now virtually Toll Free...After Puerto Lumbreras if snow is predicted use the coastal route as the route via Guardix/Baza goes over high ground...having been stuck on this section during winter many years ago...

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Thankyou that's very useful to know, are there any places you would recommend to stop near either Cadiz/Barcelona or for that matter anywhere in between?
 
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WE are a few days in front of you
Calais
Rouen
Bordeaux
Hendaye
Zaragoza
But we turn Right to Benidorm instead of Left to Barca at Valencia

For precise route check you don't stray off the Correct roads at Rouen of the ZFE will get you there is only one road through to the East and a Autoroute around the North and West that are not within the ZFE - anything over Class 3 is not allowed in
 
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I'm currently doing the exact same route but in reverse - returning from Eastern Spain and need to be back in Calais next Tuesday.

I'm avoiding the French "winter snow tyre" regions even though they're not enforcing the requirements until at least the new year.

We travel slow to see the sights rather than blast down the toll roads, so our route may not suit your journey if you're in a rush.

So - from South to North -

We left the AP7 just south of the Spanish border and took ordinary roads rather than the autoroute to Perpignan, staying east of the Pyrenees. We then followed the N117 and N118 through absolutely stunning scenery, past the Cathar hillside castles, deep river ravines, and vineyards via Quillan to Carcassonne. Then onto Albi via Mazamet. From Albi, we headed north with quick pitstops in Cahors and Souliac in the Dordogne mostly using the N820.

We're currently just north of Limoges, and are planning (in the loosest sense) a journey via Saumur on the Loire, skirting Le Mans and then probably crossing the Seine at one of the two river crossings that we haven't used before (west of Rouen but east of the Pont de Normandie at Le Havre). From there we will mirror the Atlantic coast back to Calais.

Altogether a decent week or so of traveling.

In summary - regardless of timescales, if you want to get from Calais to Barcelona in winter without snow tyres, chains or socks, then stay west of the Massif Central and then east of the Pyrenees.

The official French government website of where the restricted areas are is here -

Nouveaux équipements hivernaux

Entre le 1er novembre et le 31 mars, il est obligatoire d'équiper son véhicule en pneus hiver ou de détenir des chaînes ou chaussettes à neige, dans certaines communes des massifs montagneux (Alpes, Corse, Massif central, massif jurassien, Pyrénées, massif vosgien). 34 départements sont soumis à...
www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr
 
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That is brilliant, thanks so much for the information, its invaluable,have a safe remainder of your trip. We are so looking forward to ours, we are meeting family in Barcelona then friends in Cadiz.
 
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We came out 11 days ago on the A20/N20 route. Rained a lot between Calais and just north of Brive. All non toll to Toulouse, Castelnaudary, Carcassonne, St Cyprien then AP7 to Alcossebre. Route home looks very cold at night via Aragón and Pamplona before France on the coast. Then N10 north.

Decided against the Pyrenees passes....

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ANDKEZLULA said:
Thankyou that's very useful to know, are there any places you would recommend to stop near either Cadiz/Barcelona or for that matter anywhere in between?
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For Barcelona use resorts that have train link into the city...
Don't know about Cadiz....
In-between the two locations...numerous options....what do you like. what can you put up with...overnight or more...Campsites or Camperstop/ Aires...
How far do you drive in one day...
Let this post run...there will be lots of advice.. ACSI card and Park4Night can offer lots of options...
 
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jumar said:
For Barcelona use resorts that have train link into the city...
Don't know about Cadiz....
In-between the two locations...numerous options....what do you like. what can you put up with...overnight or more...Campsites or Camperstop/ Aires...
How far do you drive in one day...
Let this post run...there will be lots of advice.. ACSI card and Park4Night can offer lots of options...
Click to expand...
Camping Barcelona
Campsite run shuttle into Barcelona - free in low season or was also a shuttle into the local town
 
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This camperstop in the town of Antequera is on your route.

www.searchforsites.co.uk

Estadio El Mauli

Details for Estadio El Mauli a Overnight parking - with services Antequera, Málaga, Andalucia, Spain, 29200
www.searchforsites.co.uk

Supermarkets within walking distance.
 
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We stayed at the Barcelona aire, €18 with ehu included, nothing special, but 10 minutes walk to seafront and train to Barcelona.
Although in a residential area, it was very quiet and felt safe.
 
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I've just done from dieppe to girona Spain, 4 days straight down the middle , I also have no snow Tyres

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ANDKEZLULA said:
That is brilliant, thanks so much for the information, its invaluable,have a safe remainder of your trip. We are so looking forward to ours, we are meeting family in Barcelona then friends in Cadiz.
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How long and how close to Cadiz do you want to be...... we know the area quite well having lived there for the past 4 winters?
 
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Lenny HB said:
If you are over 3.5t don't use the N10 in France. Most of it is a dual carriageway with hard shoulder but over 3.5t limited to 80 and no overtaking.

We prefer either the A20 or the A75 but only the free bits.
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The N10 used to be a real pain but tbf it is much better these days - try to do it on a Sunday if poss, very few trucks. If its a Monday or Friday then we pay up for the A10 ( we really like SW France)
 
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jongood said:
Monday or Friday then we pay up for the A10 ( we really like SW France)
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Pay!
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
You just brought me out a cold sweat, good job I'm still in bed I don't think I'm going to be able to stand up for ½hour.
 
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It’s the poor road surface (compared to the rest of the country) on the N10 that make it a less than optimal route…

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Carpmart said:
It’s the poor road surface (compared to the rest of the country) on the N10 that make it a less than optimal route…
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Not that we have done France a lot, we haven’t and certainly not as much as some of you guys but I think that’s the first time i’ve seen mentioned anything about a poor road surface on a road in France.

Thanks for the heads up as I was considering travelling that route in Jan down towards Spain from Calais . 👍

As for a better route, may I ask which you prefer.

Al
 
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Al n Val said:
Not that we have done France a lot, we haven’t and certainly not as much as some of you guys but I think that’s the first time i’ve seen mentioned anything about a poor road surface on a road in France.

Thanks for the heads up as I was considering travelling that route in Jan down towards Spain from Calais . 👍

As for a better route, may I ask which you prefer.

Al
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It’s a concrete motorway along a good stretch, heavily used by lorries with a 80km limit and no overtaking if you’re over 3.5T (not that the Spanish lorries give a toss) and the it’s more like UK roads in terms of condition, rather than the usual smooth French tarmac. It’s perfectly useable, just not as nice to drive… I will be driving that bit on 27th December myself.
 
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Carpmart, Could you let us know what condition the road is in when you travel it on the 27th please.(y)
 
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Al n Val said:
Not that we have done France a lot, we haven’t and certainly not as much as some of you guys but I think that’s the first time i’ve seen mentioned anything about a poor road surface on a road in France.

Thanks for the heads up as I was considering travelling that route in Jan down towards Spain from Calais . 👍

As for a better route, may I ask which you prefer.

Al
Click to expand...
I prefer the A20 it's free from Vierzon to the south of Brive, good road & not too many lorries.
 
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Stayed at Camping Las Dunas in Puerta Santa Maria several times which is the other side of the river at Cadiz. They also accept ACSI
Nice site and facilities, there is a ferry about 20 minutes walk from the campsite which takes you right into Cadiz and it’s cheap as chips.
Santa Maria is an old town, lots of nice Spanish restaurants and about 20 minutes walk from the campsite
 
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Basa said:
Stayed at Camping Las Dunas in Puerta Santa Maria several times which is the other side of the river at Cadiz. They also accept ACSI
Nice site and facilities, there is a ferry about 20 minutes walk from the campsite which takes you right into Cadiz and it’s cheap as chips.
Santa Maria is an old town, lots of nice Spanish restaurants and about 20 minutes walk from the campsite
Click to expand...
We have stayed there, highly recommended
 
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Al n Val said:
I think that’s the route we took the last time Lenny, we got as far down as Souillac on an aire the first night, a long driving day though 😉
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Stayed on the Camping-Car Park Aire last week at Souillac. The exit barrier had gone and so it was free for all with cars coming in and out. Otherwise not bad at all.
 
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