Travel to St Priest Les Fougères, Dordogne, France
By Car
The most frequently asked question we get from people is, "How
long does it take to get to you?" A difficult one to answer, as it's almost
like asking , "How long is a piece of string?". For it very much depends
on from which ferry port one is coming from, how fast do you want to drive,
how many stops do you want to make and for what duration, and on what roads
do you want to travel - motorway or national roads.
Anyway, as a rule of thumb, and allowing for two short stop-overs ( with no lingering, long lunches) and averaging a reasonable speed, allow 6-8 hours.
For those people coming from Calais, Dieppe, or Le Havre we recommend that you head for Paris, followed by Orleans, Chateauroux, Vierzon, Limoges, Périgueux to La Coquille (see detailed directions from there).
From Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo, being more to the west, head in a south easterly direction towards Tours, then Chateauroux and continue as above.
Approaching Limoges on the A20, take Exit 33, Limoges Centre, Périgueux.
Follow the Périgueux signs. You will go through a series of traffic lights in Limoges. Look out for the sign Périgueux. Keep in the left lane. There are traffic lights and it's a left turn. When you take this left turn you will be on the RN21. Continue to La Coquille. In La Coquille turn left at the traffic lights on to the D79 (see detailed directions).
If you are on the A20 and miss Exit 33 Limoges Centre continue on the A 20
and
Exit St Yrieix La Perche. (See
detailed directions from there).
Note
In France you must have with you, in the car all original documents relating
to the car i.e Registration Document, Green Card, MOT (if applicable) and a
valid Driving Licence. It's a good idea to keep copies, separately, of all these
documents.
We recommend that drivers observe speed limits, especially when driving through small villages. Speed traps are often hidden and fines are on the spot.
We also do advise that people be careful about drinking and driving. The law is just as strict in France as in the UK and one can be stopped at anytime and randomly breathalysed. Also don't be surprised if one is stopped and pulled over on a quiet country road. They are patrolled as well as the major roads.
Recommended Maps
For localised driving we recommend Michelin Maps Numbers 72 and 75.
By Air
Limoges Airport is just 40 minute's away by car from us. Ryanair (www.ryanair.com)
operate a daily service from London Stansted and they've also introduced services
from Liverpool and East Midlands. Flybe (www.flybe.com)
operate a regular service from Southampton. Car hire is available at the airport,
but it is advisable to book before arrival as the demand is very high and unless
booked in advance the chances are cars will not be available.
A useful web site about Limoges Airport is http://www.limogesairport.com This is an unofficial guide but it has a lot of practical information about airlines, car hire, access etc.
Bergerac to the south, and Poitier to the north, have regular flights from
a number of regional airports in the UK and both airports are approximately
a 2 hour drive from us.
Note: When leaving Limoges airport it is not necessary to go into Limoges centre.
The airport is located on the west side of the city making it even more convenient
for travelling to us. Exiting the airport, turn left on to the D20 heading for
Aixe sur Vienne. At the D79 turn right still heading for Aixe sur Vienne. At
Aixe join the RN21 direction Périgueux until reaching La Coquille. At
the traffic lights in La Coquille turn left (see
detailed directions from there).
By Train
For those people wishing to journey by train, La Coquille is on main line SNCF
with connection to Limoges-Paris-London and, of course, to any other French
or European destination. For those wishing a direct service to Lille (Eurostar)
the TGV goes from Angouleme and the service has a good connection time table
with the Eurostar. This train also stops at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris
for flight connections. Allow 2 hours to drive to Angouleme.
