A close call in Rouen

Jewellbags

Jewellbags

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Just a numpty newbie near mistake but... in my diversion through Rouen to Calais I almost , almost followed google maps through a roundabout underpass . If I had then 7m Belle would still be be lodged underground and I’d be particularly unpopular with the Rouen populace .

:-) note to self - don’t trust tech 100%
 
you are certainly not the first, nor the last. the local gendarmes are used to reversing big vehicles back down the road to get them out

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Dorwyn said:
Watch the underpasses at Le Havre too.
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I seem to remember those when I used to travel with my dad when he was along distant lorry driver . All on the main route away from the ferry ?
 
Jewellbags said:
I almost , almost followed google maps through a roundabout underpass .
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I am really glad for you that you didn't (y) ..................but that's why I prefer specific Truck maps, rather than Google maps, which only cater for pedestrians, bikes, and cars. :(

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
Loved the Le Havre tunnels when that was a favourite ferry route on a motorbike, all the islands traffic lights etc are a right PITA in a convoy of cars two of em towing trailers! (when one can't read maps or recognise French place names eg Calais)
 
I hate Rouen with a vengeance. My car was nearly written off by a speeding drive, and on another occasion the dear sat nav decided to take me right through the centre of the city in the motorhome. Signs everywhere screaming 3.5 t limit and me weeping behind the wheel.

Glad you missed the underpasses ( I’ve also seen them completely flooded) and echo the warning about the ones in Le Havre, I almost got caught by those once.
 
Almost did that in Valencia , then further down in Alicante area it’s very easy to do in strange towns I found the biggest problem was ,trying to get out back into the traffic flow . o_O
 
Been there , done that, yet there are people on here that insist they don't exist :doh: :Smile:

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I used to duck going in those underpasses in a car. Very low.
 
Not Tunnels nor underpasses, But one occasion took the wrong exit, finished up 32ft R-V towing car on trailer, though the centre of Rouen. :sick: (D18 not D18E)
 
In the early days of Sat Navs, we had a TomTom which took us through the city centre, and tried to take us through one of those low height Rouen underpasses. Fortunately I had observed the signage and took the slip road off up to the right. No truck maps in those days. :(

Having related our experience to a former long distance Trucker, he gave me great advice re Rouen. "If not sure of the route, tag on to a Spanish or Portugese registered truck, and follow them. You won't go wrong." (y)

Cheers,

Jock. :)

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We do the East of Rouen route or well South now when visiting our friends in Les Andelys but do remember an early journey north through central Rouen in our old Autosleeper Symbol when we were so busy trying to avoid the tunnel that we ended up on the tram lane. That’s not a recommended route either!! Fortunately some frantic waving from pedestrians saved us on that occasion and we managed to move over in time.
 
Not just abroad, up in Northumberland at Alnwick. Following the Satnag to a car park. Turned up the high street to see the arched bridge 9ft 6in, a quick calculation and I went for it. The guy coming the other way in his car must be still laughing to this day.
Also had to let the tyres down and take the lid off my top box to get on the Troon to Belfast High speed ferry.:LOL::cool:
 
Even John McGuinness made this mistake!

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We nearly followed the sat nav to that underpass in Rouen a few years ago, but if, like me, you think you know better than the sat nav, (most of the time,) you won’t get caught out. Other than that, Ive always found Rouen pretty easy to drive through.
 
I have had to have someone guiding me back from that underpass in Rouen myself, can someone please tell me exactly where it is ?
Many thanks.
 
The route through Rouen.

Found this post from a few years ago and has worked every time since. Worth printing out and putting in glove box.

"Over many years we have not found a sensible alternative to bypass Rouen. The motorway becomes Dual carriageway at the city's edge and drops down through a tunnel. Exit this in the inside lane and in 1.5km take the 3rd exit signed to Vernon. The slip road ends in traffic lights - go in the centre lane to turn left across a dual carriageway. You should now be in the right hand lane for the next set of lights. Go straight on then bear right onto the D6015 signed for Vernon. In a little while the Seine appears on your right and you are clear of the City.

I would be really tempted to keep these instructions they were written by a driver for a driver and worked really well for us."
 
Lenny HB said:
They do exist but they are well sign posted some people must drive with their eyes closed.
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I also really do not understand how anyone find themselves in a low tunnel situation in Rouen! We've also taken our RV plus trailer, PVC and Harleys, never finding these low tunnels. We also use a sat nav and paper maps together with watching where we are going :giggle:

Mick
 

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