Hazy Baby Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 Hi all! Going to France as usual this September into October - about 5 weeks - and thinking of a completely new area - to us. Fancy following, not going over, the Pyrennes from east to west. Has anyone any experience of the roads in that area I.e suitability for a motorhome? Have googled but most info is about going over into Spain which is not our intention. Our Laika is just less than 6m so hoping roads will be fine for us! Thanks, Hazel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian81 Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 Living 80km from Toulouse we have spent many happy days in the Pyrennes in our 6m motorhome. Some of the roads are narrow and steep but in general perfectly OK. We particularly enjoy popping over one pass into Spain and coming back on another, especially as we find food and wine cheaper in Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazy Baby Posted August 14, 2016 Author Share Posted August 14, 2016 Thanks, Ian. Nice area to live! Do you mean the roads parallel to the mountains can also be steep and twisty or just the ones "over the top"? As I said we just want to go from the Med coast to the Atlantic on this occasion, not into Spain. If we like what we see, perhaps that's for next year! Hazel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldi Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 Afternoon folks, We have done that trip a few times and the other way too. Twisty roads but good scenery , plenty campsites and aires. You will need an overnight stop. Lots of motor homes do it and tuggers. norm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 I hear what you say about Spain, but the Spainish side is warmer, drier, less expensive, and has generally better roads and a very different scenic look to the French side of the Pyrenees - less touristy in Spain for a start! Sept to Oct might well be wet and if it is it is often a lot wetter on the French side with low cloud and porr visibility so don't dismiss Spain just yet - unless you like poor visibility and rain! The roads French side are OK but can be quite interesting at times as they tend to be more twisty and thus more scenic, especially if you travel through the mountains and hills cross sountry than they do if you travel to cross the range from France to Spain. Just take it nice and slow and steady and you will be fine - assuming that you know your van and have a basic competence in van handling. We don't use sites so can't say, but Aires abound and many of them are free and most of those that do charge are only around 7 Euros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazy Baby Posted August 14, 2016 Author Share Posted August 14, 2016 Thanks to both! Rich, you really have thrown a spanner in the works as we (well I!) had convinced ourselves that best to do familiar France first and then Spain later. We have been to Spain but not in the van. Lots to think about.........perhaps need a trip to Waterstones tomorrow to buy Spanish maps to go with our set of French Michelin locals! Hazel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin17 Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 The mountain passes parallel to the border can be higher and more difficult than the crossing ones eg Tourmalet. I would have no qualms taking a 6m (or larger) van over them, they are all regularly traversed by lorries. If you have been to other mountain areas such as the Alps then you won't have any trouble. Driven much worse in Italy! We did the french E Pyrennes in sept/Oct a few years ago fromSt Girons to Port Vendres, some wet weather but some lovely. Pyrenees Catalanes regional park is nice, stayed on an abandoned campsite (no facilities) near Mont Louis some lovely walks at Lac des Bouillouses. Having said that we did the Spanish side for the first time this year and were very favourably impressed. Roads much wider and better surfaced. Scenery just as good if not better. Important for us walking with dogs, was no sheep and no protection dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazy Baby Posted August 14, 2016 Author Share Posted August 14, 2016 Thanks, Colin. All seems very positive - pros and cons to both sides of the border. So, looks like we'll go along the Pyrennes AND nip over them! Hazel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melenter Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 We have done the Pyrenees a few times and it is one of our favourite trips. Down towards Andorra turn west and just keep on going. We first did it by following the tour we France cycle route over most of the cols. We always go September and have been bathed in sunshine most of the time, you can't predict the weather so just go for it 7 Metre M/H no problem, the roads are not busy and made to enjoy the scenery, what's the rush east to west a doddle, can n have lots of stop overs of two or three night.. My tip ditch the sat have follow a good map to each days destination Enjoy B-) :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazy Baby Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 Melenter - 2016-08-14 8:23 PM We have done the Pyrenees a few times and it is one of our favourite trips. Down towards Andorra turn west and just keep on going. We first did it by following the tour we France cycle route over most of the cols. We always go September and have been bathed in sunshine most of the time, you can't predict the weather so just go for it 7 Metre M/H no problem, the roads are not busy and made to enjoy the scenery, what's the rush east to west a doddle, can n have lots of stop overs of two or three night.. My tip ditch the sat have follow a good map to each days destination Enjoy B-) :-D Thanks Melenter! Yes, we never use the satnav once in an area we want to explore - the local French Michelin maps are great especially for cycling on the minor roads. I expect Spain have something similar. Hazel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 sorry unable to attach pdf file that I downloaded from web of someones trip parking and route PM me your email and I'll send it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazy Baby Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 witzend - 2016-08-15 8:38 AM Found this a little while ago posted somewhere may be useful Is there a missing link, witzend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will86 Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I did part of the Pyrennes down roads so narrow, a van and a half, with drops one side and rocks the other. I now won't go near them so pick your route .VERY carefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Hazy Baby - 2016-08-15 8:45 AM witzend - 2016-08-15 8:38 AM Found this a little while ago posted somewhere may be useful Is there a missing link, witzend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Hazy Baby - 2016-08-15 8:45 AM witzend - 2016-08-15 8:38 AM Found this a little while ago posted somewhere may be useful Is there a missing link, witzend? Found original location its in download section https://sites.google.com/site/hanktestsite2/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMS Posted August 19, 2016 Share Posted August 19, 2016 The French IGN are similar to our OS maps, the large scale being much better for cycling. The details of the mountains may put of cycling though! Note some roads are definitely unsuitable for motorhomes these are usually marked before you enter the gorge, as there are tight bends, very narrow roads and outcrops of rocks that will make your van a convertible! Otherwise it is beautiful region. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazy Baby Posted August 19, 2016 Author Share Posted August 19, 2016 Thanks all for your info. Looks like it's a case of "suck it and see" - go there and take note of signs and any warnings, take local maps etc- we certainly don't want to take the roof off!!! Hazel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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