Which is the best route to avoid Paris,driving from a northern French channel port towards Bordeaux?

Question

Which French port would it be best to arrive at?

Answer 1

Calais to Rouen to Le Mans to Cholet to Niort to Bordeaux about 565 miles.

useful web site   www.autoroutes.fr which has an interactive route planner showing costs of using toll motorway.

Answer 2

The shortest routes to Bordeaux avoiding Paris are from the western Channel ports.

I think St Malo would be your best choice for arrival port.

Then you take the N137 to Rennes, head south via Nantes passing west of La Roche-sur-Yon and head for Niort.

Here, you join the A10 that takes you straight to Bordeaux.  

Enjoy your trip :)

Answer 3

The first answer is the way I would go as it cuts out a lot of the driving. Have a look at the Vendee coastal region on the way down ( around St.Jean de Mont ). This area is everything as beautiful as the Med without the crowds.