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 a 40 minute drive. Ryanair (www.ryanair) and Flybe (www.flybe.com) operate regular services to Limoges from a number of UK regional airports;
Ryanair from London Stansted, London Luton, Liverpool, East Midlands, Leeds, Bristol, Bournemouth and Edinburgh.
Flybe from Belfast City, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey, Jersey , Leeds , Manchester, Newcastle and Southampton
Check both airline web site for details of routes and timetables.There are seasonal variations.
Car hire is available at the airport, but we advise guests to book their car at the same time as making their airline reservation as the cars are much in demand.
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.
Car Hire at Limoges Airport - a website which offers a car hire comparison service
at Limoges Airport is http://www.carhiresearch.co.uk/ , just put in "Limoges Airport" as the location. Take a look before booking your car. Could save you some money.
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. A new road has been opened which by-passes Aixe sur Vienne
where there was always a bottle-neck, thus reducing the driving time to us by
some 15 minutes. Exiting the airport at the roundabout go straight ahead. Take
the first exit to the right, follow the direction Angouleme (not Limoges). Continue
until you see the first sign for Perigueux. Follow that. This will take you
onto the RN21. Continue until reaching La Coquille and at the traffic lights
turn left. (see
detailed directions from there). .
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.
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 Limoges and the service has a good connection with the Eurostar. This train also stops at Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris for flight connections and also at Euro - Disney. There is usually a connecting local train from either Thiviers or La Coquille (depends on the day of travel) to Limoges. But it is advisable to get to the local station ahead of departure time in case there are any problems on the line and you might have to drive to Limgoes. This has happened to us. Allow a good hour and a quarter driving time to Limoges. The driving time to Limoges is usually one hour, but allow a little extra for possible delays and getting through Limoges to Gare Benedictine. The station is sign-posted in Limoges, SNCF Gare Benedictine.
