34 replies to this topic

[ToM 2012]

Paris is easily avoided if you don't wish to get entangled in the madness of the ring road.
Don't try to cover too many miles in a day with a classic Mini, I have driven from London to Swiss border and also London to Millau Bridge in just one day in modern cars but would not recommend trying to do that in a classic Mini!

we was hoping to do a good drive a day just stopping of at places ile be nakerd if i drive all day long. and i dont want to get tired on those roads even tho i havent drove on them before.

[ToM 2012]

good ?

if you get a clear day the views are amazing, well worth the trip. can't for the life of me remember the name of the highest one but you can drive almost to the top then a bit of a walk the rest of the way.

sounds good mate will look into it. what was that really windy road that was on top gear its like a figure of 8 going down the hill i want to go down that

[ToM 2012]

best road in the world i think its when hammond is in the green Porsche and james was in that yellow aston martin racing car.

[petej]

I wish someone had told me that before I went Tom, first junction I presumed had the right of way until the french driver jumped up and down on his seat hand on horn, its not to bad driving on the otherside after a few miles its the next morning after a nights sleep that you need to remind yourself before you drive off that your need to be on the right.

[tractor]

I didn't realise this is what you're building towards Tom, I've been following your thread for a while. Best of luck to you.

I'm hoping to do something simular myself when mines done, my wife's Italian and we plan to drive 'Lisa-Lou' down to south to see her relatives who I've never met and she hasn't seen in quite a number of years

Trac

Edited by tractor, 24 March 2013 - 10:40 PM.

[Mad Max]

3 year ago me ane my mate had our two minis and done a fortnight tour of south Europe. We went from Dunkirk to Paris, onto Nice, Monico, Turin , stelvio pass, Zurich and then to the mighty nurburg for a cheeky lap then home. Best holiday ever :) so yes it is possible.

I can throw so pictures up if you want and probably find the actual route. Got it somewhere.

[mab01uk]

i herd you have to give way to them if they come out a junction?

Only on some French roads, normally in rural areas but not as common as years ago: no-priority sign

Beware of it if you see this yellow sign with black line across - You are no longer on a road with priority;
surely a skull-and-crossbones would be more fitting!

http://www.abelard.o...rst-arrival.php

Edited by mab01uk, 25 March 2013 - 07:23 PM.

[richand26mhz]

Im doing a similar trip in May, Going to the alps Austria via Brugge and Luxembourg, I have made a list of spare parts i might need,
Main thing was wiper blade as the last road trip to the lakes it came off at 50mph, going to take oil and a small jerry can also make sure you have a french driving kit and maybe some back support for the passenger .

[ToM 2012]

cheers all for your comments. i think i better get my head in the book on the signs lol i dont fancy crashing after i have just rebuilt it that would be gutting. and mad max if you could throw some pics up that would be great im sure we would all like to see them. and good look with your trip in may richand26mhz thanks all

[Tamworthbay]

i herd you have to give way to them if they come out a junction?

Only on some French roads, normally in rural areas but not as common as years ago: no-priority sign

Beware of it if you see this yellow sign with black line across - You are no longer on a road with priority;
surely a skull-and-crossbones would be more fitting!

http://www.abelard.o...rst-arrival.php

In very rural areas, you just get a crappy board with prioritaire adroite on it (think that is about the right spelling). I found this out on a B road doing a lot of mph on a Honda CBR600 when a tractor pulled out on me. He was completely nonplussed by my gesturing. Only found out later he had right of way. Pretty much all main roads are normal now, you just need to watch the smaller roads. As said above, its great fun.

[ToM 2012]

cheers mate

[62S]

200 miles a day is plenty in a Mini if you don't want to turn it into an endurance event especially if going via the mountains.

The Route des Cretes which was part of the Common Run on the Rallye Monte Carlo in the 1960's is an amazing road and these days it is missed by so many people. It is on the way to Switzerland and includes the Ballon d'Alsace hillclimb course and yet has very little traffic on it unless you are there duringa cycle race. Most people these days seem not to know about it and go via Dijon.

[ToM 2012]

looks easy on the map its only there lol ile be absolutely nackerd any one no ruffly what they spent on fuel and cost of b&b?

[62S]

There are plenty of fairly cheap hotels in France. If you don't speak much French, the Premiere Classe chain is worth considering as their staff normally speak some English. Ibis have good coverage as do F1.

[ToM 2012]

ok cheers 62s i stoped at a ibis before they are ideal. how far would a full tank get you would it get me from halesowen down to dover you rekon?