Travel Information
If you choose to travel on the autoroutes, you will find that you are required to pay a fee at the péage stations. You can pay with cash (euros only) or a credit card or French Carte Bleu. You need to go to the appropriate lane depending on how you are paying. The péage starts just after Junction 3 (for St. Omer) if you are travelling from Calais. At the time of writing (February 2009), the cost for a car from Calais to Bapaume (Junction 14) is 9 euros 40. It is cheaper with a motorcycle. The costs increase each spring and we will aim to update this page accordingly.
Cost of the Tolls in France
If you would like to check the cost of travelling by autoroute in France, load up the Michelin site: www.viamichelin.com On the left hand side of the screen, remember to change the country to France where appropriate. You can enter, for example, From Calais 62100 To Combles 80360 and get the entire route information direct to our village. If you are travelling by motorcycle, click on the boxes that say Favour Motorways and Allow Border Crossings and change Automobile to Motorcycle and you should get the correct toll charges. You will also get a printable map of the route.
Autoroute Rest Stops / Petrol Stations
We thought it might be helpful to list the service station stops on the autoroutes, as there are not many of them. There are other ‘aires’ along the route, but they are for very basic toilet facilities and for use as picnic or rest areas only.
Southbound departing from Calais
From the Ferry Terminal you are directed straight onto A26 for Paris. From the Euro Tunnel you initially join the A16 and should keep a sharp eye out for signs for joining the A26 for Paris (A16/E40 Junction 47 which is also Junction 1 for A1).
The first Autoroute services are on A26 approximately 35 miles/50 kms at Aire de Rely where there is a Shell petrol station and shop and café. (Ensure that you have enough fuel when leaving the ferry or tunnel for this first part of the route).
The second Autoroute services are Aire de Souchez after Junction 6.1 where there is an Esso petrol station and small shop. This is approximately another 25 kms from Aire de Rely.
The third services are for food only if you are travelling southbound (you have to walk over an enclosed bridge across the motorway) and this is the Aire de Wancourt. (A further 17-20 kms from Aire de Souchez).
The fourth and last petrol station and services before you leave the Autoroute system is Aire de St. Leger where there is a petrol station and shop.
Northbound departing Orchard Farm
Whether you join the A1 autoroute at Junction 13.1 (Peronne, Albert and Combles) or Junction 14 (Bapaume) the first service station is just north of Junction 14 and approximately 25 miles / 30 kms from Orchard Farm. This is Aire de Wancourt and has a large complex of petrol station and cafes. Upon leaving this service area, do not do what we did once – miss the turning only a couple of miles further on for A26 to Calais! Our advice? Stay in the right hand lane and watch for the signposts!
The second services are at Aire de Angres (located opposite Aire de Souchez) and there is a petrol station and shop. This is approximately 18 kms from Wancourt.
The third services are at Aire de Rely and there is a petrol station and shop.
If you wish to have some ideas of cross-country routes, do request our page of suggested routes.