DRIVING France has a very good road system and it appears to us that they cater more for the 'long distance' traveller. The Autoroutes, although mainly toll roads, are very quick and usually less congested than the UK and with a higher speed limit, you can make good progress. There are also ample rest areas and fuel stops that also allow you to take your time if necesary. Our French Farmhouse is approx 450 miles from Calais and on average will take about 8 hours travelling using the Autoroutes. This is extended if you decide to use the 'N' or Route Nationalle -equivalent to our 'A' roads. Cheap hotels near every motorway exit in many towns include (cheapest first): Formule 1, Ibis, Premier Classe, Campanile. Prices per room range from £20 to £50 incB&B. Always clean, mostly en suite, friendly and Campanile food is great. Obviously we send you detailed directions from Riberac to our farmhouse with your booking confirmation. There are many route planners available to get detailed directions and our preffered route is Calais:Rouen:Le Mans:Tours:Poitiers:Angouleme:Riberac, details of which will be included with the booking confirmation. FLYING Cheap flights are well advertised now and are provide an easy alternative to driving. Car Hire is available from all the airports we have used and it is simple to book. The closest airports to the house are Bordeaux Bergerac and Angouleme. We are familiar with both Bordeaux and Bergerac having used them several times and can recommend them. We understand Angouleme airport is as good as the others and is about 70km distant although have not found out which airline flies there! Please use the links below to help with your travel plans. As above we send you detailed directions from Riberac to our farmhouse with your booking confirmation. RAIL The TGV travels all the way to Bordeaux stopping at Angoulême, and whilst we have never used the french railway system we understand it is excellent. Eurostar from London now takes under two and a quarter hours to get to Paris and from there you can change to pick up your onward TGV service. We shall post more details as they become available. Car Hire facilities are opposite the station entrance in Angouleme.