Driving Directions to Ancinnes, near Alençon

We are 8km - 10 minutes - from the A28 Exit 19 Alençon South (head for either Champfleur or St Paterne then Ancinnes) or the A28 Exit 20 Rouessé-Fontaine (head for Mamers and after 1km turn left to Rouessé-Fontaine then Ancinnes).

We are in the village centre but out of sight from the main road. Our driveway is marked by a circular, green and yellow "Gites de France" sign next to a Cross, on the left 50 metres downhill from the church.

Crossing the Channel to Normandy

Normandy and Western France are extremely well served by ferry services from Britain and Ireland. If arriving by ferry or Eurotunnel, click on the port in the box (top right) to see a route map and minimum drive time.

 

Channel Ferries and Eurotunnel - which route?

There are many options so there is almost certainly a ferry port/price combination to suit you.

Bear in mind that a shorter ferry crossing from England to France may leave a longer drive on the French side, but may sometimes be quicker overall. Even from the northern port of Calais the drive can be done in about 3 hours 45 minutes, but it is best to allow a extra for stops and delays en route. Delays and traffic queues are particularly common in July and August - allow extra time.

Check out P&O Ferry offers here: P&O Ferry to Calais or click the logos on the right for other routes.

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Rail travel in France

We are 10 minutes by car (see below for car hire) from the railway station at Alençon, which is served by trains running from Caen to Tours via Le Mans. Le Mans is served by both high-speed and regular trains from Paris Montparnasse.

Journey times:
Le Mans to Alençon 30 minutes: timetable Le Mans-Alencon

Caen to Alençon 1 hour: timetable Caen-Alencon

Paris to Alençon via Le Mans 2 hours: timetable Paris-Alencon

Tours to Alençon 2 hours: timetable Tours-Alencon


The French train companies are TGV, Corail and TER; all train tickets (not just Paris to Normandy train tickets) can be purchased online from Rail Europe.

Car Hire or Public Transport?

If arriving by train or plane (nearest airports Tours or Paris) then you MUST hire a car in order to get anywhere in rural France and for sightseeing. Public transport is virtually non-existent outside major towns and taxis are expensive, plus they are frequently unavailable in evenings.

How much does car hire cost in France? Probably cheaper than you think - see here: Holiday Autos Car Hire. You can easily spend more on train fares and taxis, not to mention the convenience and flexibility that having your own wheels gives you. Hiring a car (Focus or Berlingo) for 4 days typically costs less than 4 return taxi fares from here into Alençon, which is only ten minutes from here.I can't stress strongly enough - HIRE A CAR!

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