Towards the end of march (date not confirmed yet) I’m supposed to be going to (35000) Rennes. “Rue Albert de Mun” if I remember correctly is the road name.
Time is not really of the essence so:
(a) would the best way be simply to go Dover/Calais and proceed from there or is there a more ideal ferry service from Portsmouth perhaps?
(b) once over the water, from whichever port, which would be the best way to get there?
When I’ve been abroad before I’ve gone straight along ‘the corridor’ into Belgium and that way on, but when it comes to France itself - I haven’t got a clue. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Paul, I hope this helps you, it depends on time and cost though.
The easiest “no brainer” route jump on the AutoRoute From A16/E40 Calais via Boulogne,A28/E402, A29/E44 Le Havre,A13/E46 Caen then on A84/E401 to Rennes, but this will cost a bit as AutoRoute all the way…
Or…
From Calais head onto AutoRoute A16/E40 down to Rouen via Boulogne into Rouen and head down over the bridge follow 1st exit off , very sharp turn back round and underneath, follow dual carrigeway through loads of traffic lights and eventually as you get Autoroute signs follow Off to your right ( Le Havre & Le Manns direction) follow Autoroute up the hill and eventually not far past a Parking / rest area you will see signs for the N138 heading down to Alencon / Le Mans this is a very good road some new dual carrigeway in places and some very good Les Routiers Truck Restruants… anyway at Alencon take the N12 to Mayenne then you can head towards Laval on the N162, follow the ring road round on the N157 to Rennes, or to get it into top gear / cruise control sooner, jump on the Autoroute A81/E50 for a short bit that you pay for then follow the N157 straight into Rennes… Good Luck, just watch out for the Gendarmes on the Motor Bikes, oh and your seat belt, wear it or face a big fine and the grief that goes with getting pulled… Dave, i know this 2nd route looks a lot but it really is an easy, relaxed nice & interesting route
I think I’ll take the 2nd route! I’m in no great rush to get there as I’ll be leaving Doncaster two days before I’m due in Rennes anyway so I think a nice relaxing scenic drive will be fine by me As for my seat belt, I put it on automatically anyway, even if I’m only going round the block! It’s just habit now. Plus I’ll not have to worry about the Gendarmes as it’ll be a steady drive from start to finish.
If you go to Portsmouth or Poole or even Caen, it is a ■■■■ sight shorter. The choice of ferries is easy. Brittany Ferries since P & O pulled out of Cherbourg
Cherbourg to Rennes 3 hours.and Doncaster to Portsmouth about 4 / 5 hours
The fastest way out of Cherbourg is certainly the D2 and D roads through Coutances up to Avranches,
But a more relaxing Dual Carriageway ride is up to St Lo and then onto the motorway. There are a couple of variations on this but are all within 20minutes of each other.
Coutances has a short truck diversion at the moment that will probably last until I retire
Any help would be greatly appreciated 
since P & O pulled out of Cherbourg