[F] Route advice: A10-A16 around Paris

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Rob_A1010
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[F] Route advice: A10-A16 around Paris

Post by Rob_A1010 »

Hi

We're driving back from the Massif Central in a few weeks, heading for the Somme area for a stopover. Rather than doing our usual Orleans-Chartres-Rouen route I fancy a change by doing it around Paris.

Looking at the map it seems that A10-N118-A86-A15-A115-N184-A16 seems like a do-able route, plus I get to do the long tunnel!

Anyone else done that route, or recommend a slightly different one?

Thanks

Rob
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Bryn666
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Re: [F] Route advice: A10-A16 around Paris

Post by Bryn666 »

Bear in mind the A86 tunnel has a 2.0m height restriction so any roofboxes or taller SUV type vehicles are not suitable for it.

If you can't use the A86, and you're feeling brave/traffic isn't horrendous, try the Peripherique itself from the A10/A6. You will be able to experience the lengthy A14 tunnel between the BP and A86 that way before picking up the A15.
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Re: [F] Route advice: A10-A16 around Paris

Post by Rob_A1010 »

Thanks Bryn, we've just got a standard Skoda Fabia so should fit in tunnels OK!
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Re: [F] Route advice: A10-A16 around Paris

Post by Bryn666 »

Oh you're set then - the N118 is a rollercoaster of a road, very narrow and twisty down the hill from the A10 but full dual carriageway.

Last time I was in Paris was 2 months before the A86 opened so I need an excuse to go back...
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Re: [F] Route advice: A10-A16 around Paris

Post by c2R »

Yes, the N118 + tunnel is definitely an experience and much better than using the B.P. Although the speed cameras everywhere on the peripherique now, coupled with lower speed limits means it's definitely not the terrifying experience anymore that it was in the 80s and 90s!
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Re: [F] Route advice: A10-A16 around Paris

Post by A303Chris »

c2R wrote: Tue Sep 11, 2018 22:36 Yes, the N118 + tunnel is definitely an experience and much better than using the B.P. Although the speed cameras everywhere on the peripherique now, coupled with lower speed limits means it's definitely not the terrifying experience anymore that it was in the 80s and 90s!
When I went round the BP on an early Sunday morning July I thought the speed limit used to be higher than 70kph.

I've just watched a video of the A86 as obviously at only 2 metres height Google Streetview can't get in there. Is it as claustrophobic as it looks and it seems only SW section is this low.
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Re: [F] Route advice: A10-A16 around Paris

Post by Bryn666 »

A303Chris wrote: Thu Sep 13, 2018 14:01
c2R wrote: Tue Sep 11, 2018 22:36 Yes, the N118 + tunnel is definitely an experience and much better than using the B.P. Although the speed cameras everywhere on the peripherique now, coupled with lower speed limits means it's definitely not the terrifying experience anymore that it was in the 80s and 90s!
When I went round the BP on an early Sunday morning July I thought the speed limit used to be higher than 70kph.

I've just watched a video of the A86 as obviously at only 2 metres height Google Streetview can't get in there. Is it as claustrophobic as it looks and it seems only SW section is this low.
The A86 west tunnel is a single bore with a dual deck traffic configuration, hence the low height limit. It is claustrophobic but no more so than being parked inside a Channel Tunnel car train. There was a plan for a larger diameter tunnel for HGVs from the A12 to the A86 near Rueil-Malmaison but it's well down the funding queue, if at all likely to happen.

The BP was reduced to 70km/h last year I believe. Prior to this it was reduced to 80km/h in 1993 or so. It opened with a 90km/h speed limit.
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Re: [F] Route advice: A10-A16 around Paris

Post by JosephA22 »

Bryn666 wrote: Thu Sep 13, 2018 14:36 The BP was reduced to 70km/h last year I believe. Prior to this it was reduced to 80km/h in 1993 or so. It opened with a 90km/h speed limit.
I drove round it on the way to Spain in 2015 and I'm pretty sure it was already 70km/h then. It was a Saturday evening and was not particularly busy, but it was noticeable that almost everyone was sticking to the limit, although traffic was light enough to have gone a lot faster if anyone had chosen to.

Having driven through France again on the way to and from Portugal this August (from Poland - long journey!), I find it incredible how much French driving has changed since just a few years ago. Almost everyone was sitting exactly on the speed limit on motorways and major routes. Different story on local routes, where drivers didn't seem bothered what the limit was.
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Re: [F] Route advice: A10-A16 around Paris

Post by Rob_A1010 »

Back from our fortnight in France, and pleased to say that the A10-N118-A86-A15-A115-N184-A16 route around Paris worked well for us. Hit the tunnel tolls just after 1300, so wasn't too much traffic. The tunnel is certainly unusually low!

Other road highlights of the holiday included the Port d'Envalira (highest road in the Pyrenees, bizzarely with three petrol stations and a go-karting course at the summit!), the coast road from Argles to Colera, and the Tunnel du Puymorens.
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