Since the advent of the Channel Tunnel and the tremendous improvements made to the motorway networks in northern France and the Alps have made life much, much easier for the growing number who decide to drive. You can now get to Les Brévières easily in one day.
The advantages of driving? It can be less hassle, it gives you tremendous freedom once you’re in the Alps, and it can save money. Having a car offers the opportunity to sample other resorts in the area or further afield. From Les Brévières you can easily reach Ste Foy, La Rosiere, Les Arcs, La Plagne and the Three Valleys, where a day’s skiing is included in your week’s Espace Killy ski pass.
Travel time
The journey time can be surprisingly short. From Calais, for example, you can cover the 900km (560 miles) to Tignes in just eight hours plus stops – all but the final few miles is on motorways.
Please remember that the speed limit on french motorways is 130km or 110km if it is raining.
The costs
The cost of driving depends, of course, on your car’s fuel consumption and on how many passengers you cram into your car. You’ll pay from around £150 return to take your car with one passenger on a short channel crossing. Allow around £200 for petrol, depending on fuel consumption. Don’t forget French motorway tolls – the trip from Calais to Albertville and back will cost around £150.
The options for crossing the channel
Cross the Channel early on a Friday morning and return nine days later on the Sunday evening – giving you both Saturdays on the slopes. After a full day on the slopes on the final Saturday, driving towards the Channel for a few hours before stopping for the night means you won’t find Sunday’s journey too demanding
| Eurotunnel | Fast and frequent trains offer the quickest route to France. You can book your travel directly through their web site. |
| Hoverspeed | Hoverspeed have ceased operating services on the Dover-Calais route. |
| Sea France | This is the most useful web site of all the ferry companies. Here you can find detailed schedule and fare information, as well as make your booking online. |
| Stena | General information about crossings run by various companies. |
| P&O | European Routes via Portsmouth; their site gives crossing times, but no booking facility. |
| Brittany Ferries | A more relaxed, if slower, crossing because their routes are much further to the west. Their web site gives fares and schedules, but no booking facility. |
General Route Advice…
two main options exist, either follow the motorway via Chambery or take the N90 road via Annecy to Albertville. We would recommend the motorway as the N-road can get very blocked with traffic.
IMPORTANT: Please note that the Col Du Petit St. Bernard is closed during the winter months. Some route finder websites (including Google Maps) and car GPS Sat Navs do not recognise this and propose a route through the Mont Blanc tunnel and the Col Du Petit St. Bernard mountain pass – IGNORE this routing and opt for one via Annecy – Albertville – Moutiers – Bourg St. Maurice to Tignes Les Brevieres or the motorway towards Chambery then Albertville etc.
