Son, wife and two children( 5 & 9 ) are intending to travel by car via Dover to Formigal 75kms south of Pau and then just over the border to Spain for skiing.
I do not think they want a ferry crossing.
Google indicates 12hours /1200km dring from Calais
3 litre diesel SUV but no experience of motoring on the continent. I believe accommodation is sorted
Any suggestions please.
Route,( as per Google?) night stop(s) en route, Toll costs and paying, French road laws ?
Winter tyres required customs border?
Thanks
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Have just driven to Southern Spain.
Used the A63 past Bordeaux and Bayonne although you may take the A65. All roads completely clear but I suspect you may need chains and winter tyre for higher roads in the Pyrenees.
Journey down we used the tunnel. Highly recommended as quick, all formalities on Dover side, miss one and catch the next 30 minutes later, drive straight on to French autoroute.
Coming down we stopped at Poitiers at a Best Western - reasonable price, decent breakfast, clean. Have used Logis de France in the past but can be mixed. With a 5 and 9 year old BW or similar would probably work best. Avoid very cheap near the mway as they can be horrible.
Personally I just accept tolls as unavoidable driving through France. You could save ~100 Euros but this will add time and stress to the drive unless you want to see rural France as part of the journey. Worth doing in spring or summer but not at this time of year.
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Thanks for the updates.
The trip is going ahead.
An update on the destination.
It seems that it is very well sorted re ski lifts etc.
Not very popular with the Brits as no ( cheap ) airport destination close by.
No Spanish half terms for children so should be even less crowded.
I will try to post feedback after their return.
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September 2023 I enjoyed an 8 day walking holiday, with my Spanish walking group, in Vielha. Apparently where the Spanish Royal Family ski. Val d’Aran is spectacular, a simply stunning part of the world. Quite a few motor bikers on tour staying at our hotel, the very acceptable RV Tuca which was cheap as chips.
I’d sailed into either Bilbao or Santander, then spent a week exploring as I headed East to meet up with my C Blanca based multinational group.
I shall probably be returning to that area september 2026 before heading South for the start of the CBMtn Walkers & Explorer groups in October.
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Apologies…i thought Vielha was a 1 hour drive E of Formigal. It’s 3 and a bit hours drive East.
If family enjoys quieter skiing, away from Brit hordes, it comes highly recommended.
Throughout the year.
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Info re - by car to Formigal,Spain , 75kms of Pau - Terry
