Arles to Paris

What is the best way to go from Arles to Paris...I would like to stop about half way in an interesting village or town for lunch. I have heard, Bourges or Limoges...but which way would be the easiest drive? Thanks!

|||

The shortest, most direct and by far the quickest route would not take you anywhere near Bourges or Limoges.

The direct route, which I would guess to be about 750km, takes you right up the Rhône valley to Lyon, then Beaune, and from there to Paris.

The entire route is Autoroute, and if you want to do it in one day, that is probably the only way to do it. Driving time will be close to 8 hours with a couple of stops for gas and so on, allowing for heavy traffic and possible congestion around Orange, Lyon, Beaune and the approaches to Paris.

Probably your best place to stop for lunch would be Beaune.

I would suggest that you take a minimum of two days for the trip if you possibly can, and get off the Autoroute and explore at least a few of the marvellous places along the way, and see something of the scenery. Otherwise the driver will see only other cars, and the passenger(s) pretty much only a ribbon of concrete.

You could easily spend a week along this route without having seen a quarter of the worthwhile places you will be speeding by.

If you do not already have one, a good road map or atlas of France is something you will most probably need. Michelin makes a very useful Route Planning map of France, #911, which shows major routes AND alternate routes, with travel times and distances, and potential areas of congestion.

To travel via Bourges - which does have a remarkable cathedral - would add at least an hour to the trip for no very good reason. A detour via Limoges (not a particularly attractive place, IMO) would add perhaps a couple more.

Be aware that the French authorities have been enforcing speed limits rigorously for a couple of years now. There are many speed cameras along the highways as well as other speed controls.

|||

Go to the viamichelin.com website. this is the best website for travel directions in Europe. It will give you the total time, kilometers, cost of tolls and gas.You can ask for the quickest route.It also has the weather and much more. It%26#39;s a wonderful and very useful website.