How do we get there?
How do we travel to South West France?
Getting to South West France is easy, and the effort of travelling there is rewarded with quiet roads winding through unspoiled countryside.
by road
East and West: The A62 ‘Autoroute de Deux Mers’ runs from Bordeaux on the Atlantic to Toulouse, and then to the Mediterranean, passing Agen and Montauban along the way.
North and South: The A20 /E9 ‘L’Occitanie’ runs from Vierzon in Cher, down to Montauban in Tarn-et-Garonne, passing by Limoges, Brive-la-Gaillard, and Cahors along the way.
From the North: For a smoother journey, we suggest bypassing Paris by taking the route via Rouen and Le Mans.
Guest-Recommended Scenic Routes: Thank You for Sharing!
“Anyone driving down from the Channel ports – it’s worth getting off the motorway at Souillac and driving cross-country rather than staying on the Motorway until Cahors. Journey time is the same, and the countryside and villages are really beautiful.”
by ferry
Ferry Companies:
P&O | Brittany Ferries | DFDS | Irish Ferries | Hibernia Line
Travellers journeying by ferry from the UK or Ireland might opt for a night crossing followed by a prompt start in the morning. This will ensure arrival in South West France by roughly 4pm.
From the northern Ferry ports you can bypass Paris by taking the route via Rouen and Le Mans.
by air
The most frequented airports to South West France are Bergerac (EGC), Toulouse (TLS), and Bordeaux (BOD). They have a great choice of departure points from northern Europe in summer, and regular services in winter. Smaller airports include Brive (BVE), Carcassonne (CCF), La Rochelle (LRH), Limoges (LIG) and Rodez (RDZ). Download direct flights serving this area from northern Europe:
Transport from the Airport
For those comfortable with driving in French metropolitan areas, Toulouse and Bordeaux airports are great options. However, for those less accustomed, Bergerac Airport or the smaller airports offer a more relaxed arrival with exits onto quiet rural roads allowing time to acclimate to the different driving conditions.
Arrivals at Toulouse can avoid the busy Peripherique by taking the Ouibus bus service to Montauban, which is just 40 minutes from Toulouse, and continuing from there.
by rail
From the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany Eurostar rail services have high-speed routes as far south as Bordeaux and Toulouse. (Note ‘Thalys‘ becomes Eurostar as of Oct. 1)
The French SNCF (National Network) runs a high speed train service (TGV) along the Garonne valley, with stations at Montauban, Agen and Brive-La-Galliard.
The French TER (Regional Network) connects cities in the South West such as Bordeaux, Toulouse, Limoges, Pau, Bayonne. TER also links to rural areas with connections to Agen, Angoulême, Cahors, Figeac, Moissac, Penne d’Agenais, Périgueux, Villeneuve-sur-Lot, to name a few.
electric vehicle charging
Electric car charging is available at some of Halcyon Leisure properties. Below you can find a list of these, as well as helpful information and links to maps and tools for charging stations across Europe.
Hotel Chains in France
Need a break from driving? Hotels are often clustered near motorway exits and the outskirts of larger towns. Here are some options to consider:
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Since 1986, Halcyon Leisure has been bringing owners and guests together to enjoy the stunning countryside of South West France.
