m1bjr

Hi,
We're off to stay in the Cognac area soon, a little SW of La Rochelle.
Not knowing a great deal about the region, does anyone know of the must see places & must drive roads around there?
TIA
Steve

nickrg3.1

I drove down to Perigueux for a w/end once, I took the route Rouen, Le Mans, Tours, Poitiers, Perigueux. I would imagine you will probably take the same route to Poitiers and then branch off west from there. TBH it was quite a dull trip. On the way we did it in one blast that was quite tiring. Scenery isnt great and the weather was rather murky therefore after ~700 miles it wasnt so enjoyable. Worst thing was when we eventually got there the exit to perigueux got closed because of an accident and I had 120 mile detour! cos they had not got round to connecting up any additiional exits on the motorway for another 60 miles!! I was almost in tears lol.

On the way back we split it by stopping over at an Ibis in Le Mans which made the drive a little more comfortable.

In my opinion the West has nothing on the East. I love the blast down to Dijon and beyond - you just dont get that on the west im afraid. Hopefully someone will confirm I missed the most amazing road that you can drive, if not then I'm afraid there isnt much happening mate.

mikey k

try http://www.bestbikingroads.com/

buaan

I'm off to a place near Jonzac for 2 weeks in the S2000 at the end of July so I'd also be interested in this info

m1bjr

Thanks gents, keep 'em coming!

nickrg3.1

The lack of responses might be saying it all folks

Another thing - dont go on a bank holiday. Better still, dont go on a weekend that USED to be a bank holiday.
Even though is no longer is a bank holiday it still will be a bank holiday lol. In the West on a weekend that USED to be a bank holiday they shut everything - inc. restaurants! I found this out as part of my trip

mikey k

Fair point - this time of year avoid Ascension Day it is a "bank holiday" across Europe except the UK tends to be first Thursday in June
As Nick says EVERYTHING closes!

jml

So you did some highway driving and decided it was dull ?
As it happens we have a house near Sarlat. Marvellous b roads and no traffic. So although it means we have to drive with to cars i always take the S with me.

k3vin

The Tour de France starts on July 2 not far from you, if that sort of thing inflates your tube?

m1bjr

Were going with the outlaws, and have a little place in Vendoire.
They speak French and are excellent cooks, and the house has everything self contained including the pool.
Pretty cheap too - free in fact
But we can take a couple of days out to rip up some scenery, if feeling really ambitious I may head for Millau as we missed it last time!