cherbourg to st jean de monts

Hi--driving from Cherbourg to St Jean de Monts in August to a camp site. Any advice re the route --will sat nav it but if anyone has first hand experience re the time and journey that would be great.

ALSO--planning on staying over night on the way down--struggling to find reasonable cost accomodation for us--2 adults and kids 10 and 16--would prefer something just off the main route--not an F1 on a motorway--B%26amp;B possibly.

Thanks

M

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Hi I would say it will take a good 5 hrs including a short stop, from Cherbourg down to Avranches several ways then on to Rennes and Nantes mostly dualcarriageway the only hotspot will be Nantes especially at rush hour morning and night. Also research which way you need to head off around the Peripherique in Nantes as it can be confusing, one way takes you over the spectacular bridge over the Loire. I have just looked on Autoroute and it says to take the Ouest Peripherique and Exit at 52A.

What time does your ferry get into Cherbourg is it evening if so you would probably be better staying between Avranches and Rennes. There are hotels close by the road in Avranches such as the B%26amp;B chain which will have family rooms with a duplex design, two single beds upstairs and double downstairs, there is also a large Carrefour supermarket nearby McDonalds and other eating choices.

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Hi--thanks for your reply, very helpful. I haven%26#39;t looked at the part of the trip around Nantes yet--probably subconsciously putting it off.

The ferry gets in about 4.30pm so won%26#39;t really be on the road until gone 5, ideally would like to be outside anywhere too built up when it comes to rush hour.

Had been hoping to be the other side of Rennes for the evening but wasn%26#39;t really sure about being over ambitious--it%26#39;s been many year since I%26#39;ve driven on the continent.

:-)

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Hi, have looked to see whats available on this section I have travelled this route regularly and can tell you that there is very little in the way of hotels between Rennes and Nantes on the N137. The only place halfway down is Chateaubriant which is about 20 km off to the left for the Etap Hotel, formerly Marmotte Group. Back up to South of Rennes on the Peripherique there is an area called Chantepie on the outskirts there are several hotels which I list below. My favourite group first which is www.hotel-bb.com these have quad rooms for a price of 58$ which for August is good all bookable on site in English and its possible to cancel these hotels by putting in a cancellation code before 7pm on day of stay, after that you get charged. These hotels have all been refurbed recently. On the map this hotel is located easily its basically off at Porte No. 4.

The others are opposite side of Porte No. 4 on N136 sites are www.etaphotel.com also www.balladins.com and www.campanile-rennes-sud-chatepie.fr.

I did check out a B %26amp; B style lodging but they tend to run at 60 - 80€ per double room -

I hope this helps as availability and info can be checked at these webpages. Its a road I know very well.

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Hi--your advice re the B%26amp;B Hotel chain looks very good and just the ticket--have checked it out and there are good prices and vacancies--thanks very much

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%26quot;I did check out a B %26amp; B style lodging but they tend to run at 60 - 80€ per double room%26quot;

You do have to remember though that the chains charge extra for breakfast, the B%26amp;B chain in particular charges 5.90 per person, adding over 20 euros to the price of the room. A B%26amp;B/chambres d%26#39;hotes includes breakfast in the price of the room.

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The price of the breakfast in a chain is always extra and sometimes it just isnt worth the money - bit of old dry bread and some jam - some people don%26#39;t do breakfast and its easy to make your own in your room or even go to that other chain McDonald%26#39;s -

From experience travelling with kids to self catering accommodation you usually have a car full of stuff including favourite cerials - Taking nothing away from the Chambre d%26#39;hote I am sure some of their breakfasts are great but at double the room price for a family of four I think my kids would of preferred more icecreams.

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Hi and thanks--I do agree from what I can see re the additional cost and I am keen to keep those down until we get to where we are going--having said that filling up at breakfast -especially the kids-will be a good thing as I don%26#39;t know at this stage where we are likely to stop for food until we get to where we are going--are there places en route like service stations? I guess there will be petrol stations of course so if necessary we can grab something to eat from those-:-)

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Hi--we are certainly going to be travelling with things like cereals and I agree with you--better to spend money on fun things rather than stuff that isn%26#39;t value for money on the way. It does seem a bit steep for bread and jam.

The place you mentioned does look perfectly ok and I think it has parking-important as I don%26#39;t want to have to spend time driving around trying to find somewhere and I want to leave it somewhere reasonabley secure-even though I know there are no gaurentees--however with a car full of stuff-with trailer and roof box too it is a potential target for someone to have a go at liberating some of it.

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Firstly there is parking at the hotels but it may not be secure so just keep valuables with you, unlikely anyone will tamper with trailor or roofbox, respect amongst other guests etc. as for places to eat as you leave the A84 and turn off on the Rennes peripherique you will find a large supermarket signposted before you join the south side and its just take the filter to the left, this is a Carrefour supermarket and they will have a restaurant, usually cheapish bit overcooked veg. but good value and drinks included. Also on site are Buffalo Grill (I love this as its all over France) excellant value - buffalo-grill.fr/grand-public/fr/carte_menus… - check out their menus beforehand in French only - you will see these ranch-style restaurants they are white timber looking with big pair of buffalo horns in red on the roof - I usually do the Pony Express menu at 8.70$ on same complex you have Courtepaille, bit like Pizzahut http://www.courtepaille.com/ and La Boucherie - mostly steaks - these are chain restaurants so will be found all over France. There are petrol stations along your way and as you pass through Nantes there is a very large complex called Atlantis, Ikea, Leclerc and other shops and restaurants. Petrol/Diesel is also cheaper from large hypermarkets. Think you should be all set so bon voyage et bon vacances.

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Must apologise being left-handed do tend to get right and left mixed up so before you join the South peripherique at Rennes the Carrefour supermarche is signposted to the RIGHT slip road - not left.

Good luck.