France in a VW Type2

Spent a few hours this morning plotting a route around france that makes for realistic distances to be travelled (about 250km a day is the max the kids can handle). Upshot is that between the morning of June 4 and evening of July 14 we'll be covering 2,148 km (1,335 for the imperialists among you).

We're getting the ferry from Cork to Roscoff and will travel down the Atlantic Coast as far as Arcachon, which is just south of Bordeaux. Then its inland to the Dordogne to stock up on fine foods and more wine (we're planning three nights neat St Emilion - one of myself and Sandra's favourite varieties of the red stuff), and head up inland to Mont St-Michel. From there it's a stroll along the North Coast back to Roscoff. We're planning to stay in most places at least 3 nights and there's only one overnight to break up a long journey. In fact the average drive is under 150km with the longest clocking in at 277km.

I used the RAC Route Planner (pic above) which I found really good - provides an overview map and detailed directions for each leg. It's actually just a skin on Map24.com, which I've always found excellent for Irish driving. Someone also recommended Via Michelin to me, and Mappy.com also looks good, but to be honest I don't see a lot of difference between any of them.

UPDATE: Have spent a bit more time with both the RAC Route Planner and Mappy.com. RAC service gives me better routes - direct via D roads, which is my kind of driving. But the extras on mappy.com are great - highlights speed cameras, shows what the motorway signs you are looking for are like, and you can add in cash machines, Wi-Fi spots and other useful services along you're route. As a result I'm having to force mappy.com along the routes the RAC has suggested.