Ok, my turn. Used to run mainly the autoroutes in France unless there where none or like the RN10 it was quicker not to.
Even as an owner driver, but I did get big discount as I pulled for Dentressangle and used one of their peage cards.
Never ran at UK speeds and didn’t see many who did. Autoroutes 55mph and RNs slower. Never got done for speeding
but with a big red French trailer hardly ever got stopped.
Used to know many routiers just off the autoroutes as well as many on the RN’s. For the best food and wine I would always go where
the French drivers went.
In Italy always the autostradas, as the national roads where just impossible. Same in Spain.
Didn’t have tax for Benelux countries or Germany in my day so autobahn all the way and Swiss was 28 tons and tax so usually too heavy.
Just realised why I never met a lot of the English drivers running similar routes as I spent a lot of down time with the French drivers or
later in my driving career just didn’t stop (Dockspeed).
newmercman:
Same here Robert, many times I haven’t had the time to ponce around on the old roads. I worked for an Italian firm for a while and because of the requirement to be out of France before 10pm on Saturday when heading to the UK in an Italian lorry I even used to use the then new Dijon to Reims autoroute and eat in Sommesous, just in case I needed to dive into Belgium to beat the 10pm deadline.Many times I’ve got on the motorway in southern Italy and stayed on them all the way to Calais, I’ve also used the autopista from Barcelona to Alicante rather than take the N340 when the click was ticking.
One very well respected fridge firm I worked for insisted that we run the national roads from Macon to Angouleme when going to Madrid from Chalons rather than run the quicker peage route down to Le Bolou and take the N11 to Madrid. That was the only stipulation they had though, anywhere else we could go whichever way we wanted.
There was a very nice Algerian-run Routier just north of Angouleme at Anais on the RN10. It had limited parking room though. Robert
I drove for one of the larger French multinationals and they held an inquest if you used the autoroute when there was a Route National available, you had to get permission from the office to use the peage
robert1952:
newmercman:
Same here Robert, many times I haven’t had the time to ponce around on the old roads. I worked for an Italian firm for a while and because of the requirement to be out of France before 10pm on Saturday when heading to the UK in an Italian lorry I even used to use the then new Dijon to Reims autoroute and eat in Sommesous, just in case I needed to dive into Belgium to beat the 10pm deadline.Many times I’ve got on the motorway in southern Italy and stayed on them all the way to Calais, I’ve also used the autopista from Barcelona to Alicante rather than take the N340 when the click was ticking.
One very well respected fridge firm I worked for insisted that we run the national roads from Macon to Angouleme when going to Madrid from Chalons rather than run the quicker peage route down to Le Bolou and take the N11 to Madrid. That was the only stipulation they had though, anywhere else we could go whichever way we wanted.
There was a very nice Algerian-run Routier just north of Angouleme at Anais on the RN10. It had limited parking room though. Robert
Robert / nmm
What was the name of the routers up the top end of the RN10 ? Came up on the right on the way home ? Fish restaurant seems to ring a bell ? Don’t know why as probably as far away from the sea as could be…
Vivonne
Most interesting thread!
Now, I’m not into “normal” road haulage, so I’m not entitled on having a opinion on that matter.
I do however know a thing or two about heavy haulage and it’s restrictions, certainly where France is considered.
One of the reasons why I like to go to France is that we’re only aloud to take the RN’s, so if you were held up because of the slow speed or the width or length of the load itself, I do apologise. Things are changing though, due to new permits we’re able to drive over the Autoroute (although it’s just for a few miles, mostly from one junction to another).
Another thing is the scenery and maybe the most important thing, park up for the night at a Routiers.
I shall to explain the restrictions, there are 3 categories, quite similar to the ones known in the UK.
CAT 1; total length of 20m, total width of 3m and a total weight of 48t, and most importantly, with a CAT 1 load you’re aloud to drive on the autoroute (not all of them, there’s a special guide where you can look things up)
CAT 2; total length of 25m, total width up to 4m and total weight up to 70t
CAT 3; everything that’s longer, wider or heavier then the above.
It’s as Robert just said, a Routiers is a social thing where one can chat with other drivers, or just the barmaids, get a proper supper, especially with the smaller ones, I for one am not to chuffed about the big centre routiers, although the ones in Chalons en Champagne, Tours, Limoges and Agen are really good.
And the autoroutes are always a pleasure when returning home with a “small” backload, apart from the bigger cities, there’s not much traffic around.
Italy was a whole different thing though, you’re not banned from the autostrada, but there was a serious restriction where the speed limit was involved, only 60kmh, and if I’m not mistaken, if you were over 40m long or over 70t total weight, the max.speed limit was 40kmh…
Another bit of a problem was that you weren’t aloud to leave at a given junction to go to a restaurant, so you did end up at some horrible autogrill thingie…
No, Italy was never my favourite destination…
Spain was just the opposite, only national roads, but that’s no fun either nowadays, because everything seems to be replaced by those dual carriage ways…
Cheers, Patrick
It was on the left though, unless you were in reverse lol
newmercman:
It was on the left though, unless you were in reverse lol
Haha your right…or left ■■
Dusty old car park if I my mind is functioning ? Closed Saturday nights but a fine drop of lunch…
newmercman:
Vivonne
Vivonne was on the left (well, coming home anyway)! The other two on the right at the top (Poitiers) end of that leg of the RN10 were ‘Western Trucks’, a big modern truckstop at Les Minieres; and my very favourite, Etoile du Sud at Couhe. Robert
Tubbysboy:
newmercman:
It was on the left though, unless you were in reverse lolHaha your right…or left ■■
Dusty old car park if I my mind is functioning ? Closed Saturday nights but a fine drop of lunch…
One of, if not the best of the big well known routiers imho
newmercman:
Tubbysboy:
newmercman:
It was on the left though, unless you were in reverse lolHaha your right…or left ■■
Dusty old car park if I my mind is functioning ? Closed Saturday nights but a fine drop of lunch…
One of, if not the best of the big well known routiers imho
Vivonne isn’t what it used to be, I prefer the one on the right hand just before coming up to Vivonne, Le Relais des Miniers in Payre.
Last time I went in there was in 2006 so it was still a good feed
robert1952:
newmercman:
VivonneVivonne was on the left (well, coming home anyway)! The other two on the right at the top (Poitiers) end of that leg of the RN10 were ‘Western Trucks’, a big modern truckstop at Les Minieres; and my very favourite, Etoile du Sud at Couhe. Robert
Crickey I forgot about western trucks… Was unfortunate / fortunate ? enough to spend a couple of weekends there… food was good and not too bad showers if I remember correctly ?
My main memory of the place was leaving a tad before time one Sunday evening and getting nicked at Poitiers Peaje at 2130 … I couldn’t believe it as I had followed 2 cloggies and a very very brave porka…
I used to use a cracking little place opposite to the Vivone Rouitiers .
It was a group of houses and a restaurant ran by a couple, the food was excellent, the log fire in the Winter did it for me.
The Vivonne Rouitiers was a bit like a factory, no interactions from all the staff, pay for the meal at the bar, take the ticket to eat .
The loo made me laugh, if you had a pee, the lady behind the bar could see your todger through the cowboy film style doors with slits .
Also the shopping malls had restaurants , used the one in Angouleme a lot, room for artics .
On Cherbourg route, St Leonards Creperie,mother and daughter ran that.
Eigors at Le Mans, named after the big hairy dog, young couple doing snacks in a Shell garage, popular with the UK drivers .
newmercman:
Tubbysboy:
newmercman:
It was on the left though, unless you were in reverse lolHaha your right…or left ■■
Dusty old car park if I my mind is functioning ? Closed Saturday nights but a fine drop of lunch…
One of, if not the best of the big well known routiers imho
I agree! And I loved Sunday lunchtimes when all the old local families would settle in for a classic three-hour session. Stopped there (Vivonne) many times. Robert
I must say that I wasn’t a huge fan of the more well known places, they were good for a weekend as there was always a decent crowd, but for a nice meal and an early night you couldn’t go wrong by stopping where the native drivers stopped, walk in, sit at the first available seat, shake hands with your neighbours, accept the glass of wine handed to you by whoever was closest to the bottle on the table, wish them bon apetite and practice your French/Italian/Spanish etc as they practiced their English while everybody nodded and laughed as if they understood each other. Bloody good times.
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I liked the RN’s, though I did once make the mistake of going down the N20 (before it was autoroute) whilst a tad on the heavy side - think I went over the weighbridge in Dover at 43t, back in the 38t days. I had a 143, so no shortage of pulling power, but down that N20 stopping power was pretty useful. Sometimes it was easier and cheaper to pay the tolls…, but the nationals were far more interesting. Also re some of the above speed claims??, not sure about sitting on 65mph myself. Maybe middle of the night but not during the day - and definitely bang on 50kms through towns and villages.
EXECELLENT thread it has brought out, us drivers that “did it” and yes i will never agree about this and that about the merits Routies [my opinon] because i never used them and did not want to,and the reason was i suspect when i started out in my to be long -ish 30year- European driving the first man that i followed to the meat markets,Paris [Rungus ] then off to other delivers, it was installed in me that the “load” was the important part “not me time,” so eat when you could ,then bed, then off again.
I was 30 before i started European so i was the "OLD BOY"and could not be arsed with a load of younger bucks let a load of"foreigners"spluttering around a big table, if you have ever been in a work situation,where day in and out when all men eat together [not prison] you would not do it voluntary .
As for speaking or learning any foreign language , i was not capable of doing that,to learn a foreign language you have to have a good command of our English ,written…[ i suspect Robert would agree] … our TALENT WAS THE JOB WE WERE DOING … OUR English was enough for me. and i have not one Education merit at all … SOME WILL SAY YES IT SHOWS…just common sense…others may differ .lol .Most English ,scots,welsh ,Irish would maybe say a few words to order off a menu also order the important beer,but that would be it…
Some would try their own version of language skills ,they thought… the saying that foreigners like you to try ,yes, pleasantry’s but that is about it …" the only embarrassing pigeon /foreign, mixed like a " patwha" some would try to look good or hold “court” as many did … you could hear them in the large eating room in AOSTA and other places the same old ones you kept clear of… once the wine and beer got hold, time to leave them to it ,how many times did you see men fighting each other at a restaurant after all Eating together…at any clearing station in any country and the would be 90%brits .all had a nice meal together?
Never once come across ANY driver unless uni type educated that could hold any “conversation” with any foreigner…,yes i know you had to eat, like us all ,but why not look after and feed yourself, to me that was the job ,you were on your own ,look after yourself that is what i did, my choice…
. Fridge drivers 1980S kept mostly to them selfs,as you all would know how many times did you say “oh f—k here comes a FRIDGE " hope he does not park here…you all did…also they mostly had the better kit…?even in DOVER when parked waiting to clear you would have drivers” switching the fridges off" ,the same men you were supposed to sit in AOSTA, Cariso ,eating together …some may have short memories ,the amount of hassel a switched of fridge would cause [1] the driver and [2] the product. that also kept me away from others…
Even when years later i came of fridge work and went on to dry fright, i still did not eat it any restaurant ANYWHERE . i would pay for parking even in CARISO some will say "i never paid for parking eve"r ,you did in the price of the food, but you could always leave them money behind the bar for parking ,and to be honest when on BOWKERS we would pay for the shower as you did, then some ask for a parking ticket ,that they has stamped out for 4.000 lire and they would all put them in and get paid from the company …now that little s scam,was by the "“company men been on there years top men of company society”"all restaurant eaters…
What about the HORSE MEAT did you eat ,yes!! but you never knew [chevel steaks] yummy, BELGIAN ,HUNGARIAN,ITALIAN,SPANISH, favourite .PDB.
kmills:
I liked the RN’s, though I did once make the mistake of going down the N20 (before it was autoroute) whilst a tad on the heavy side - think I went over the weighbridge in Dover at 43t, back in the 38t days. I had a 143, so no shortage of pulling power, but down that N20 stopping power was pretty useful. Sometimes it was easier and cheaper to pay the tolls…, but the nationals were far more interesting. Also re some of the above speed claims??, not sure about sitting on 65mph myself. Maybe middle of the night but not during the day - and definitely bang on 50kms through towns and villages.
I’d guess you’re describing the later environment than the early-mid 1980’s one which I was referring to ?.By which time things were starting to slow down a bit on the RN’s.With the French motorway network increasing and gradual ratcheting up of the speed enforcement and traffic calming regime on those roads like roundabouts being put in at minor junctions etc etc.At which point I also certainly preferred to use the motorway options available.In which case I’d guess that the speeds I was referring to were a more matter of necessity in the day because the motorway options in France just didn’t exist then as we know them today.
Which then leaves the issue of the massive recent speed crusade even on the French motorways regards car traffic in addition to trucks being limited to 90 kmh anyway and having to pay for the privilege.All of which long since resulted in my preference for the Belgian and German motorway routes to Italy and direct ferry link for Spain. 
Very passive aggressive there PDB, but it’s a good job we’re all different or the world would be a very boring place. Opinions can be a bit like arse holes, everyone has one, but really they should keep them to themselves! I like that analogy lol.
You appear to be responding to my post about improving my command of languages, however you are jumping to conclusions and as often is the case, they are the wrong conclusions.
I could and did read newspapers in French or Italian, not so much in Spanish, but never much liked the Spanish language, anyway I could also hold a pretty lengthy conversation with a Frenchman or an Italian. I didn’t do this to please the foreigners, but because I wanted to.
As for men spluttering across a table, I’m almost lost for words, I think the foreigners take eating and drinking very seriously and from my experience most have impeccable table manners.
Punch ups were not common, sure they happened, but just as they do elsewhere, the greater the consumption of alcohol, the greater the chance of it all kicking off, the same could be said about almost any bar, club or pub the world over.
Now the lorry driving part of the equation, I dare say there was the odd occasion where a driver missed customs or a delivery/collection due to the excesses of the previous night’s consumption in a routiers or bar, but 99.9% of the time drivers got the job done, it’s what they do, I dare say that all of us have had trips where we drove, slept, drove, slept, delivered, reloaded, slept, drove, slept… However they were miserable trips and if they became the norm it was time to find another job. Not because they were only doing the job to eat in restaurants and get on the ■■■■, but because a job where all you are is an extension of the machine, all work, work, work is not some that a person with a lorry driver’s sense of adventure would enjoy, that’s more the domain of a factory worker who is content to do the same thing day in and day out.
Finally I’ll address the fridge issue, for many years I dragged a noise box around behind me, I never once had mine turned off, sure a few drivers threatened to, but I made it quite clear that it wouldn’t be in their best interest to do so and I never had a problem. You also underestimate the effect a few glasses of a decent red and a good meal have on people’s ability to sleep soundly, so there’s a lot less chance of a fridge being a nuisance in the parking area of a routiers than there is if you park in a lay by or service area where all the drivers have jumped straight into bed after cooking up a tin of stew in the cab.
I reckon you missed out on a great experience, or maybe you’ve always been a grumpy old git and you enjoy being miserable, I’m pulling your leg there, just trying to get a bit of passive aggressiveness into my post.