Avoiding Rouen

For destinations in western France the Pont de Normandie is yet another way of avoiding Rouen altogether. How many options is that?

We too have been using the Rouen route for many years with no problems.  If it is now in the Crit Air area so be it and best to get one before you leave.    Both in France and in Germany the cities requiring these things are expanding all the time.  We are currently in Germany and we needed an Umwelt to drive into Freiburg (and use the B31 from Colmar to Titisee which goes through Freiburg); I was able to get one at a testing station, just show them your V5 and pay €15 and you get one (I recall the Crit Air cost less than that).  Both are vehicle specific and last for the lifetime of your vehicle.

hi valda, been a while but its time to travel again. when approaching the tunnels in rouen. if im right there are 2 tunnels going west and 1 tunnel coming back east. 

if we are heading west (to go down south) we normall go through the left tunnel to aim for the A13. following your instruction. do we take the right hand side tunnel, which then comes to a roundabout. from there to get onto the D6015. is this correct. we always got told about the height restrictions on 1 of the tunnels. but not sure which one is the low one thanks

Hi Grezza, your opening post a year ago was asking how to avoid Rouen altogether. I thought that was an eminently sensible plan and made some suggestions how to achieve that.

Now, however, you are apparently entangled in talking of three separate tunnels in the city itself. Don’t go there. I still think your first plan a whole year ago was a good one. I support it wholeheartedly.

I'm not sure which tunnels you mean to head for the A13 - but it suggests you're on the A29.  We continue on the the A28 from the bifurcation where the A29 starts.  There is a single tunnel heading South West on the A28, which is full height - used by HGVs.  

I'm happy to email you some old PDFs of the route, and the junctions, which I did a long time ago.  The route hasn't changed, but there are more traffic calming measures on one section - but nothing too bad.  Emaill me on valdaathome@gmail.com if you need them.

I have probably posted this before but I will repeat it anyway. The route south through Dreux to Chartres has to be about the worst in France. Endless junctions, lorries, heavy traffic, nowhere to stop. Don’t worry about Rouen, just follow the signs to Le Mans and pick up the A28 to Poitiers. Pay the tolls and have a safer, easier and faster journey. Important: coming back and travelling North on the Autoroute, don’t try and turn off before the centre of Rouen, pay the toll (just a few Euros) and stay on the autoroute unit the Calais sign comes up.

The exit you want off the A28 is shown on the right of the picture.

peedee

It depends what day and what time of day.  We always travel on a Sunday and have never found it a problem.  

And some of us are not in a hurry and enjoy the variety the route offers.

peedee

The photo PeeDee posted on here is what caravanners see of Rouen, but the city has actually got a lovely historic centre. We had 3 days there in a small hotel right beside the cathedral - with the car in an underground  garage for the whole time and the caravan back at home. There are markets, museums, parks and restaurants all within walking range of where we were, as well as the cathedral, but Rouen just isn’t caravan friendly.