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 #1 Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 25/01/2012 @ 18:33 |
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Two questions really so I'll lay it out so peeps can copy which part they're replying to 
Driving in France - we're a group of 4 driving to Alpe D'Huez 2nd weekend in Freb. Due to work commitments we're on the 6pm ferry out of the UK Friday 10th arriving France 11pm their time. Originally we were going to try and get a hotel an hour or so away from Calais to stop over and break up the journey, but due to the apartment we're renting being free the week before we're now going to drive straight there and take up occupancy early and try and get a half day extra snow boarding. 
My question is, if we stop at a service station, can you sort of have an hour or so and catch a few Zzz's or do the Police or garage owners move you on 
Alpe D'Huez - we're based in the L'Eclose Est region so not far off the main area, so anyone got any tips for decent bars in there and any food places such as pizza places, burger joints etc. Don't need big fancy restuarants, want to keep the food costs down as know the beer prices will be a bit tasty out there. Tips on any bars with happy hours BOGOF deals etc welcome too  |
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| #2 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 25/01/2012 @ 20:34 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Never been to alpe d'huez but driven to Courchevel loads of times. If you've not driven in France before then you're in for a bit of a treat, the toll roads are empty all the time even rush hour (you prob won't notice overnight though) road works are over and done with quickly so they can keep people on the toll roads and the speed limit is 110 in the wet and 130 in the dry, although everyone does 150 whatever the weather.
Service stations are the crappy places you have over here. There are picnic areas, play areas for kids, toilets, some with showers (french toilets and showers are generally minging though). The food is reasonably priced and it's normally pretty good, not just a burger king which costs three times the price of one in the high street!
I wouldn't worry about kipping in your car at all. I've done it before and never had a problem. You'll probably see camper vans and lorrys in the car parks overnight anyway. |
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| #3 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 25/01/2012 @ 20:38 |
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If driving make sure you drink lots of water and shotgun the passenger seat so when you do kip in the car you get no pedals or steering wheel. Take a sleeping bag as it can get cold.
when I drive I normally get an early afternoon ferry from Dover-Dunkerque (£29 return depending on offers), which gives you 2 hours relaxing from the drive from the south-west. It gives you then a couple of hours daylight driving. Kip in the car, although we have stopped in hotels in Dijon before and arrange to arrive in resort first thing. |
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| #4 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 25/01/2012 @ 22:09 |
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| In reply to post #3
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With four of you driving??? Will be dead easy. If you start in Calais at 11pm you can bomb it down to the bottom of the Alps 6 - 7 hours. Sun should be coming up by then.
Don't speed around Calais though or at all really, French coppers seem to hang out there waiting to clobber the Brits, I think it's their national sport! |
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| #5 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 25/01/2012 @ 23:04 |
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| In reply to post #4
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QUOTE (mrpugster - 25/01/2012 @ 22:09) With four of you driving??? Will be dead easy. If you start in Calais at 11pm you can bomb it down to the bottom of the Alps 6 - 7 hours. Sun should be coming up by then. Don't speed around Calais though or at all really, French coppers seem to hang out there waiting to clobber the Brits, I think it's their national sport!
One of the 4 is my son and although he's 19 and has a full licence & Pass+ it's still silly money to add him on so he's not driving. Plan is for 3 of us to do 2 hour shifts. The ferry is 4 hours so will get some ZZZ's then. That's why asked if ok to stop for a bit at services and kip. Ferry docks at 11pm, so don't expect to be off it and heading out of Calais till midnight. Think it's a 9 hour run to ADH and just found out our place is booked now week before, but can get in at 11am so have 11 hours to do teh journey so think a rest stop along the way will be a good idea.
Cheers for tip on their Police, will make sure we stay in the limits. |
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| #6 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 26/01/2012 @ 02:00 |
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| In reply to post #1
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QUOTE (stevebev - 25/01/2012 @ 18:33) Driving in France - we're a group of 4 driving to Alpe D'Huez 2nd weekend in Freb. Due to work commitments we're on the 6pm ferry out of the UK Friday 10th arriving France 11pm their time. Originally we were going to try and get a hotel an hour or so away from Calais to stop over and break up the journey, but due to the apartment we're renting being free the week before we're now going to drive straight there and take up occupancy early and try and get a half day extra snow boarding. My question is, if we stop at a service station, can you sort of have an hour or so and catch a few Zzz's or do the Police or garage owners move you on
Plenty of truck stops along the way. Half of the services are deserted in the middle of the night anyway, so I can't see it being an issue. Having said that with 4 of you driving I can't see why you'd need to stop at all. Just take it in turns while the others sleep  |
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| #7 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 26/01/2012 @ 02:01 |
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| In reply to post #4
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QUOTE (mrpugster - 25/01/2012 @ 22:09) Don't speed around Calais though or at all really, French coppers seem to hang out there waiting to clobber the Brits, I think it's their national sport!
Hmm worth remembering that one  |
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| #8 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 26/01/2012 @ 08:12 |
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| In reply to post #5
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QUOTE (stevebev - 25/01/2012 @ 23:04) One of the 4 is my son and although he's 19 and has a full licence & Pass+ it's still silly money to add him on so he's not driving.
I think you have to be over 21 to drive on the motorway anyway?!? |
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| #9 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 26/01/2012 @ 08:29 |
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QUOTE (tombolton82 - 26/01/2012 @ 08:12) I think you have to be over 21 to drive on the motorway anyway?!?
Take it you mean in France? Didn't know that. Doesn't affect me & the other 2, but handy to know. |
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| #10 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 26/01/2012 @ 12:28 |
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| In reply to post #1
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The 2nd weekend in Feb is the start of half-term hols for much of the uk. It will probably also be the start of one of the rolling hols for French kids too.
The roads south of Reims are one big jam unless you get past there before 5am and Lyons by 9.00.
Driving though the night is definitely the way to go. You will be ok to rest in a service station but park somewhere well-lit and don't leave your car unattended - even for 2 mins. Note that many service stations shut at night although you ususally get fuel with a card. Probably worth researching the decent ones which are open 24hrs. The Via Michelin website will plan your route as well as a sat nav and lists the toll costs. There is a new Reims by-pass to the West that hasn't made it to some sat navs yet and also a new road around the north of Lyons - but.. it has a crazy toll that only works with cards and again adds to the congestion. |
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| #11 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 26/01/2012 @ 15:29 |
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| In reply to post #10
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Definetly drive through the night, take advantage of the empty rds and get a full day on the slopes. As long as you have one other person to holds the reins for a few hours then you'll be sweet. Yes the new road round Lyon is a big bonus, after Dijon just follow signs for Grenoble. And switch off the Sat Nav till your the other side of Lyon. |
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Snowboarding ruined my life |
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| #12 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 26/01/2012 @ 16:12 |
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| In reply to post #11
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Thanks for the tip about the new road layout :-) |
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| #13 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 26/01/2012 @ 16:14 |
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| In reply to post #1
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If the roads will be busy maybe it's best to have a kip at one of the services at the bottom of the alps.
I did this one year not knowing where I was, complete darkness, woke up around 6am with the sun just coming up to find I was surrounded by mountains haha was a nice surprise! |
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| #14 Re: Driving in France/Alpe D'Huez bars Posted 27/01/2012 @ 18:52 |
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| In reply to post #10
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QUOTE (oldgit - 26/01/2012 @ 12:28) There is a new Reims by-pass to the West that hasn't made it to some sat navs yet and also a new road around the north of Lyons - but.. it has a crazy toll that only works with cards and again adds to the congestion.
Oldgit, any more info on the new road? Been on ViaMichelin site but not sure if it's showing it or not. |
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