If you enjoy driving in France and you want to make getting there part of the experience then take the ferry or Le Shuttle to Calais or Boulogne.

The most direct route from Calais to Le Mans is via Abbeville, Rouen and Alencon but Paris is not much of a detour if you want to take it in as a part of the trip (remember the A16 south of Boulogne is now open making the trip to Rouen much faster). From Calais follow signs to Boulogne and then to Abbeville. The autoroute is payage (toll road about 50 Francs) to Abbeville. Then pick up free autoroute to Rouen (signposted Rouen). At Rouen remember to stay in nearside (right hand) lane as you exit the tunnel. Cross the river and take the slip road that turns back underneath. Follow this road around the east side of Rouen following signs for Le Mans. After joining Paris/Cherbourg autoroute take second exit (Signposted Le Mans). This is where the autoroute runs out. Very soon you come to a petrol station where you turn left. This junction is not very well signposted and the turn is easily missed. You are now on the RN138 to Le Mans. Skirt round Alencon on the bypass and keep heading south to Le Mans.

The shortest driving route is by ferry to Caen then down through Falaise and Alencon. Le Havre Dieppe and Cherboug are also closer by road than Calais or Boulogne. For comparison, (taking it easy), the 260 miles (415Km) from Calais will take about five hours. The Caen journey will take about two and a half hours , Le Havre three, Dieppe three and a half and Cherbourg four.

Check the tickets and travel page for late offer details.

Check the motoring in France page for what to take with you.

If you are going via Calais then you will be needing a meal stop somewhere. If you are taking a sailing that arrives between 12 and 2pm, then I suggest that you head for the town of Desvres on the D341 out of Boulogne, where the "Cafe Jules" in the main square will do you an excellent 3 course set meal for a modest FF80 (lunchtime only).

Remember to moderate your speed. There are frequent radar speed traps. Fines must be paid on the spot or they impound your car. If you see flashing headlamps coming the other way this is a genuine warning. Also take care with alcohol, spot checks are common and anyway it is wise to stay sharp with French traffic to negotiate.