 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there,
we are going to be travelling down to Courchevel next Easter (nothing like a bit of advanced planning!) and plan to leave the UK early on the Friday morning (that's good Friday). We will book the travel lodge in Folkstone before getting an early euro tunnel.
We would like to get as far as the other side of Lyon at least that day so that we only have a few hours up to resort the next morning. I am wondering if travelling around the outskirts of a big city on a Friday evening might be a bit of a nightmare. Is Good Friday a bank holiday there as it is here? Maybe their roads around big cities are better than ours? I dont really want to hit an M25 at rush hour situation (although we may well do that traveling from S.Wales on the Thursday!).
I have found two reasonably priced stopovers for the 4 of us. One by Lyon airport and the other (cheaper!) further in on the E15? If the traffic isn't as bad as i fear, we could maybe get further?
And advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Folkstone to Lyon is about 7 hours driving, it is very busy around Lyon after 4pm. My favourite route is via the airport (the outer outer ring road) as you turn off well before the city. It can be quite confusing around Lyon especially in the half light of dusk and in the rain. Good Friday is not a holiday in France, but Easter Monday is so its fair to assume a good number will make an early getaway. Having past Lyon airport it will be 2 hrs to 2 hrs 20 on a clear run.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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If you're heading for St Exupery take the A39 at Dijon rather than the A31/A6. It's far quieter and brings you out that side of Lyon. Outer ring road has some pinch points, on the other hand I've driven through the centre a couple of times at rush hour, nightmare.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@breeze11, we've travelled via Lyon on that Friday as far as Moutiers on a couple of occasions, arriving there around 5.30-6pm ish. Stayed at Eurotunnel Holiday Inn Express, and got a crossing around 7.30. We've ever had any real traffic problems as far as I can recall, other then one of the driver's making when he forgot to go back onto the A26 from the A4 just south of Reims, and we took a detour via Vitry-les-Francois. Taking the route suggested above by @chocksaway, sometimes via A39, other times via A31/A6 (turn off onto A432 just after Villfranche toll booths).
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The furthest we have driven is Mercure Bourg en Bresse on the first day so I can't advise on en route places beyond that. However if you take the A39 south of Dijon the route round Lyon is straightforward.
What accommodation did you book in Courchevel out of interest? It is somewhere I've fancied skiing but haven't found that much choice of self catering apts.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thank you all for your replies. I hadn’t considered taking the other road from Dijon. I will have a look at that.
Snowymum we’ve booked a self catering apartment in courchevel 1550 through Airbnb. I had the same problem though, really struggled to find a reasonable self catering place. Not much choice in our budget!
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If I'm going to the Tarentaise then I usually turn off the A43 at Amberieu-en-Bugey and go to Chambery on the D1504.
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Can I jump on here and ask about places to stay en route to La Clusaz. Leaving Dorset lunchtime and heading Via Dover-Calais as the Newhaven -Dieppe one doesnt appear to be quoting for February  Need to find 3 rooms sleeping 3 people each.
Thanks
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@JulesBod, you might be better starting a new thread so that everyone sees your requirements.
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Breeze11 - why not cross Friday evening, the full range of Accor hotels are in Coquelles, there's no pressure in the morning and the time difference is behind you? I'd then stay as near resort as you can, drive up in the morning and go skiing!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Val Desire, don't you mean Thursday evening?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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We've driven Good Friday a few times. With your start location I'd make Chambery your target.
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@Val Desire,crossing and staying in Coquelles may depend on his location in the UK, and the time he can leave home. Our own as an example. We rarely get to Folkestone before 11pm, and if there's a delay the tunnel frequency after 11 is very sketchy.Easier to have the Folkestone option. We can't just bunk off work an hour early.
@breeze11, book the HIE as soon as possible, it gets very busy on the Thursday before Easter. Book Eurotunnel early too ,lots of people have the same idea.
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You know it makes sense.
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@JulesBod, If you can reach Reims for your overnight stop try the Ibis at Tinqueux for rooms sleeping 3. We have often used the Novotel next door which has rooms for 4 plus a restaurant. It is well located for the motorway. If you are leaving Dorset at lunchtime you might need to take the tunnel rather than ferry to get to Reims that evening.
Alternatively you could look at crossings with Brittany Ferries to avoid having to go all the way to Dover.
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