DIRECTIONS TO ETANG BAUDY FROM CALAIS
Having driven to and from Calais many times using different routes, we have found the following route avoiding the nightmare of Paris to be the best.
The route is mainly motorway/dual carriageway apart from a small section between Rouen and Orleans. This section is in the process of being upgraded to dual carriageway but in August 2011 still had a few small intermittent sections of single carriageway.
Toll prices are based on a car on our last trip in August 2011.
Sat Nav users please be aware that using the lake as your final destination will take you through Paris. To avoid this you will need to program in Rouen, then Chartres, then Orleans to follow our route. Once at Orleans you can enter the lake details.
Calais A16 south to A28 Toll 7.50€
A28 to Rouen. Then follow signs for A13 Evereaux – dual carriageway past Rond point de Vache which is a roundabout with large models of cows on it.
A13 direction Evereaux, Orleans, Toll 2€ to A154 direction Orleans.
A154 becomes N154. At end of dual carriageway take the 3rd exit on the roundabout direction Dreux, Chartres, Orleans. Now single carriageway N12 to dual carriageway. Small service station has cheap fuel.
Follow signs for Dreux centre, Chartres, Orleans D828 leading to N154/N123 direction Chartres, Orleans. Mix of single & dual carriageway.
At Chartres N1154 direction Orleans. Single carriageway.
N154 direction Orleans. Single carriageway becoming dual carriageway.
N254 to A10 direction Orleans.
A10 to A71 direction Vizeron. At Vizeron Toll 10.70€.
A20 direction Limoges.
Exit at junction 36 direction St. Yrieix la Perche.
Following signs for St. Yrieix la Perche at T-junction turn right to roundabout.
3rd exit on roundabout on to D704 and continue to St. Yrieix la Perche, approx 35km.
As you enter St. Yrieix there is a roundabout with a HyperCasino supermarket on the left and Gamm Vert Garden Center on the right. Take the 1st exit on the roundabout. Sat Nav users will be directed in on a different route.
Follow this road slowly (narrow road) to the T-junction and turn right. There will be a large lake on the left.
At next T-junction turn left, going under the viaduct and through the small hamlet of Marciallac. As you go over the 2 speed bumps at the end of the hamlet turn right. Follow this road passed our lake on your right to the T-junction and turn right. The entrance to the lake is approx 100m on the left.
Distance 451.76 miles/727km. Travelling time approx 7.5 hours