You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Last year I drove through the night in one hit. Don't fancy doing that again this year so going to leave a day earlier and stop somewhere on the way down.
Looking at the route I'm thinking somewhere between Dijon and Troyes.
Any suggestions of where, within about an hour's detour of the main A26 route down, would be a worthwhile stop over?
Not very helpful I know, but the one time I drove there it was utterly bland for the entire journey - nothing but wind turbines for miles (at least that is my mental memory of the experience).
doing something similar in a couple of weeks - stopping in an F1 hotel in Dijon as it is slightly better than sleeping in the car
Dijon, drink wine, eat well and look around. Take an extra day or two and head to a few chateaux whilst you're there.
Dijon is nice for a night. There's a hotel somewhere near the train station with secure underground parking too which I used last time I went down to the south to ride.
Troyes looks lovely, we're spending 2 days that later this month
Foret/Lac d'Orient, off the A26 by Troyes, is very nice, only stayed in the camping there though. Probably not so good if you only want somewhere to kip for the night, unless you want a quick swim in the lake.
Could always head to Epernay and stock up on Champagne.... (just off the route but still slightly north of Troyes)
I can wholeheartedly recommend Langres, it has an excellent municipal campsite on the ancient city walls right in the (small) centre of town, with amazing views across the lovely scenery. Couple of nice restaurants and cafes/boulangeries within walking distance. I've stopped there many times it is perfect. Just off the peage between Dijon and Troyes.
I've also stayed in Premier classe motels in Troyes Sud and Dijon. Both excellent value and easy access. Good for winter trips or if you don't want to camp
Langres also has nice cheese. We stayed in the hotel des Remparts some years ago (on the way to the Vercors/Grenoble) and ate in the town. Nothing dissuade us from returning, one day.
Besançon is a lovely town.
Reims is nice, big pedestrianised area with loads of nice cafes and bars. Epernay is good too, the Mercier champagne house is worth a tour, got a little train around their gargantuan cellars. The fun is really in visiting all the small champagne houses though, well worth a trip on its own.
stayed in troyes last year on our road trip out to alps lovely old town and a few nice bars and restaurants
stayed in epernay on the way back and had a tour of the champagne cellars/vineyards and drank some lovely vintage fizz on the return journey
We stop at the campsite at mersault. There is wine. And we pool.
Champagne region in France. Not really ideal in terms of distance wise, but can get yourself some nice champagne, none of this Moet rubbish.
And we pool.
Eww!
Dole is very nice and close to the A39 although a bit further on.