LP, I don’t make any comment about your choice of Zeebrugge as that is probably out of your hands and I don’t know what kind of rates your boss can command.
Beyond that, if you want to stick to Autoroutes I can’t argue with Coffee’s route.
I can, however give you an alternative which may be a bit cheaper and give you a better chance to find ‘real’ French truckstops - the Routiers.
It is important to know the different degrees of restaurants in France.
1.Autoroute service areas are better than their English equivalent as Neil says and open 24/7 but at the bottom of the food chain. They do however have very good showers.
2.Centre Routiers found, and usually well signed, near most large towns are very good for reasonably priced food. They have very large parking areas, good shower facilities, and are often open on Saturdays, but not always Sundays.
3.Les Routiers are the best. The cheapest and usually the best food, very often more personal and friendly atmosphere and the places that most French and Dutch drivers go out of their way for. I wouldn’t go anywhere else if there was one available. The downside is that their showers are a bit basic and often only single, so there might be a queue. Some of the smaller ones have only one set menu so if you are the adventurous type, no need to worry about understanding and ordering.
I hate the Paris area and avoid it when I can, but it is not necessary to use the Peripherique.
Take the A1 towards Paris, I don’t know what timescale for stops you will be on, but for good eating there is a routiers near Compiegne. Leave the AR at J10 and head west on the N31 towards Beauvais, by-passing the village of Arsy! After about 6kms turn left on the N17 towards Senlis. Ignore the weight prohibition, you are allowed to travel to and from the resto which is about 2kms on the left just before the village of Blincourt. First class! When you have eaten or slept re-trace your steps to J10 and continue south.
From Lille on the A1 just keep following the signs for the A104/ N104, the outer ring, and the destination boards for Lyon A6.
Take the A6 Sud(south) where indicated, J33 and almost immediately you pass a giant servce area. I never eat there because I know what is ahead! Down the dip (watch your speed and no overtaking) and up the other side to leave at J12. Be very careful, Js11 and 12 are very close together sharing the same entry slip and 11 will lead you astray! Leading onto the N7 through Ponthiery and keep on that road at the right fork in Pringy. Within a km or so after a newish roundabout there is a small mom and pop routier on the right, called KM36 or something, with parking both sides of the road. Pop is in the kitchen but Mom, fierce of face but trim of calf, rushes about serving on tables and at the bar. They are very strict on meal times though so if you are tight for time don’t rely on getting served. Mealtimes in France are midday to 2.30pm and 7pm to 9 or 10. Larger ones can keep going later, but don’t count on it unless you know the place. Otherwise it is just snacks and drinks. Most open about 5 or 6 in the morning for coffee and croissants.
From there continue south on the N7 through the forest of Fontainebleu towards Nemours, picking up the A6 again just before the town. Don’t get drowsy though, the 2nd exit, which may still be un-numbered, signed A77 is the one you want.
I am not suggesting you pull into every resto I give you, it all depends what time you are in the vicinity and ready for a meal or stopover. Thus the next one is on the N7 in Dordives. Leave A77 at J17 towards Montargis and as you enter the town take it easy, not to miss the entry to the parking on the right, just before some lights I think. You could turn at the lights and enter round the back but I think it is a bit tight.You can choose to re-trace your steps to the AR from there or continue south on the N7 but I don’t know if there is a truck ban through Montargis.
Whichever, the next stop is in the fork of the N7 and D940 about 25kms south of Montargis. I have never used this, only seen it, and if you decide on the AR route you need to come off the A77 at J19 and turn back north for 1km. The resto will then be on your right.
You have a choice here, A77 where completed, or N7 to Nevers where after circleing the town continue on the N7 south to Moulin. There is a resto just south of Toulon-sur-Allier on the N7 but it may have been by-passed by now. If you are ready for a break keep your eyes peeled to the left on the by-pass or the right on the old road. Again I don’t have first hand experience of this place.
Whatever you do you need to turn right (west) on the N79 almost immediately and then left (south) on the N9 in 4.5kms. towards Riom & Clermont Ferrand. At Riom get onto the A71 at J13 and by-pass Clermont. Now called the A75 this AR continues south to Issoire where, if you have that gnawing feeling again, a short detour at J14 turning back north for a couple of kms. will take you to an excellent eatery on the right hand side, with loads of parking.
Regain the A75 by-passing St. Flour, to Millau which you now by-pass using the magnificent new bridge, uncharted territory for me so I don’t know if the AR is continuous either side or whether there are still stretches of the N9. I am on my ‘resto map’ at the moment, will edit if necessary after checking my up-to-date version from the car in the morning!
Anyway, A75 all the way to Clermont l’Hérault and N9 to Beziers.
Very late now but tomorrow I’ll do you a comparative kilometrage/time estimate so you can make your own decisions. Remember the mealtimes and think ahead, also that if you want to avoid paying tolls or are ready to eat, the old main roads (not always N roads) where parallel are usually good and still retain their good transport stops. Just keep your eyes peeled for banned sections, you can only traverse those if you know there is a routier ahead.
A couple of tips on routier ‘etiquette’.
If parking up at mealtimes, especially at the busier places, look for the man before abandoning the motor. He will direct you where to park to make sure everyone gets in. Some of these places get chocker.
Once inside, take an aperitif if you want at the bar first, but in any case enquire there if you have to pre-pay or not, then wait at the entrance to the dining room to see if the waiter wants you to sit in a particular place. If in doubt fill partly occupied tables first, especially if they are the long many-seated variety, it’s much more friendly and easier for the waiters to get round everyone, they are often very busy!
Bonne route et bon appé■■■!
Salut, David.
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)it took ages second time it it took ages third time I went the long way round.Where are3 you going in beziers,depot de la sud?cause there are three exits for beziers.