Peter
If you are looking for an intresting route down look at the D roads.
I usually go back to Caen via Mayenne/Domfront/Flers great old style French roads.
If I was looking for an alternative route from Cherbourg, would consider dropping down to St Lo, then to Vire, onto Flers/Domfront/Mayenne/Conlie, this brings you out onto the N138 3 kilometers north of the le Mans ring road.
This is not the fastest route, but certainly more intresting than the N roads, and if you are in the spider you can pop past any slow traffic almost as easily as we can on the bikes.
Cheers Barry
Barry, yes it is a sceanic route used last year for the PQ's and enjoyed its many sweeping pieces of road.
Also have looked at the route on Aysedasi's web page which is similar so may try that for a change. He has other suggestions from Caen and Calais as well. Rather be travelling the quieter French roads enjoying the scenary. Hope to catch up with you guys in a few weeks. all the best Peter
http://www.aysedasi.btinternet.co.uk/2002/directions/lmcherbourg.htm