Continental excursion
 

Since 2008, as an active member of the Citroen Car Club - in particular a rather odd bunch of BX owners - I have arranged continental road trips for like-minded fans of driving on relatively empty, exciting (sometimes pretty wild) roads roads, in particular French culture, some nice stop-overs and the occasional unexpected adventure/treat...

October 2009 saw the BXagon - a rather oddly named (an amalgamation of L'Hexagone; as the French often refer to their country geographically) and BX) which saw a handful of BXs of various kinds, travel from Calais, back to Calais around the edge of the country, passing through about 47 Departments and covering 2,800 plus miles in 10 days of driving. We raised a shade over £10,000 for Cancer Research UK (about half via JustGiving which proved a very useful method).

Then, in 2012 I organised The Citroen Classic Challenge - this took us from Calais to south of Lyon, via the upper Loire, to Provence, the Alps, Switzerland and the Vosges Mountains across to the Channel coast and back. This time individual teams sorted their own charitable efforts - a few grand went to a variety of charities and the 2,500 miles was I have to say optimised for driving fun and it has become a bit of a legend amongst those who took part...

There was a Scottish tour arranged in 2013 (which in the end I missed out on) but now my effort is directed towards organising another epic trip, this time in June 2015. This is The Citroen Classic Challenge 2015 (imaginative, I know!) and this will take us through the heart of France to the Med and into the Pyrenees and up through Aquitaine back via the Loire Valley to Normandy and back to the UK.

Now I am a Rover convert I have to admit, that although these adventures are great and suit the old car/slightly banger French car owner (I know there are some amongst you - I'm not the only ZX owner ;) ) there is an opportunity to possibly arrange a Road Trip in France that is best suited to the Rover 75 fraternity, with it's own character.

Would anyone be interested in hearing some suggestions?

Thinking about a long weekend/4-5 days for MG/Rover/75 drivers, possibly later this year or next year, visiting this place: http://www.manoir-automobile.fr/welcome/index.php - it really is stunning.

At this very early stage, I reckon on a crossing to Dieppe via Newhaven: It's about £78 return out of peak season. Dieppe to an overnight in Alençon then, day two, on to Loheac for lunch. The afternoon is spent at the museum and then the overnight would be Dinan. Day three would take us and our prized steeds to an overnight at Honfleur via Pegasus Bridge (and Ranville Museum/Memorial) and then after a leisurely start over the Pont Normandie back to Dieppe for the 18:00 crossing.

Anyone up for this trip?: Called, provisionally 'Le Jolly' :)

As for the route? Well, it depends how everyone feels - it could range from a 1000 mile round trip in 4-5 days to 2500 miles in 10 days of driving.
Phil

I like the idea of this. I see these kinda tours for sale in the classic mags i read and think it would be a good laugh,id get to see some things i might not normaly see and id gain axperance driving abroad :) :)

I would like to organise something. I do it for my Citroen compatriots- 2009, 2012 and another road trip through France to an exploration of the Pyrenees next June.

Maybe for this sort of time next year?

Challenger, I'd post up the idea with outlined plans and see what kind of response you get and take it from there :}

France is just beautiful and perfect for a tour.

I did it in 2010 with friends from mgfreedom in Scotland. Here are a few pics of our 3000 mile tour:


http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/...e3813cf62d.jpg

Me! Stopped off at Gaydon for MG15.
http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/...1d3baf5603.jpg


http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/...23083810be.jpg

http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/...fb0b77bac4.jpg
At Dover the night before the Ferry to France


http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/...2c977d46a1.jpg
Paris




http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/...169f034914.jpg
Somewhere - deep France.


Had a ball! You cant beat a good tour!

If you where to ever do an Irish leg I know several local clubs that would join you on the day and I'd happily help anyone out.

I'm going to post up a suggested tour based on one I've arranged before, which takes in Lyon, Provence, the Alpes, Switzerland, the Vosges/Alsace, and Pas de Calais...