The A84 between Caen and Rennes is more than just a motorway; it’s an asset for mobility, economic development and rural areas. It was opened, section by section, up until 2003 and has transformed the lives of people and businesses in the region. The infrastructure on the “Route des Estuaires” between Spain and Belgium has become a pillar for transport in the Grand Ouest region.
The bridge between Normandy and Brittany… People first began discussing a motorway between Caen and Rennes in the 1960s. But the project didn’t begin to take shape until the late 80s. The idea was clear: relieve congestion on the heaving motorways (primarily the N175 and N12), improve road safety and encourage trade between both regions. Economic development was the main focus. The A84 was also designed to be part of the “Route des Estuaires”, a major European motorway along the coast between Spain and Belgium, avoiding Paris. It was a long-term endeavour intended to open up the Grand Ouest region.
For me, this motorway connects Normandy and Brittany and gives me safety and security on a 4 hour journey. The fact that this part of the motorway is free is a source of pride given the toll charges on different networks throughout France.
A staggered project
Building work began on the A84 in 1986 after the first section opened between Bretteville-sur-Odon and Grainville-sur-Odon, near Caen. The project took almost two decades to complete with several stages. In total, the A84 covers 170 kilometres through the Normandy countryside. The motorway has 30 interchanges providing fast access to towns and villages along the way (Villers-Bocage, Aunay-sur-Odon, Villedieu-les-Poêles, Avranches, Fougères, etc.) and up to 80 engineering structures, including the Viaduc du Saultbesnon (Manche). The aforementioned viaduct stands 347m long and 31m high without disturbing the valley below, making it a feat of engineering in itself.
Direct impact on local areas
The last section of the A84 motorway opened to traffic on January 27th 2003. In a matter of 20 years, the A84 slowly transformed the everyday lives of people living near the motorway. The journey from Caen to Rennes dropped from 3 hours to under 2 hours, making travel a breeze for workers, students and families. Improved transport links also boosted rural communities in the southern Manche, attracting more visitors and new residents.
The A84 changed my life. After my divorce, I left the Vendée region to move closer to my family in Ouistreham. The A84 made life easier as my boys could visit their Dad who still lived there. Without it, we'd have had to change our custody agreement and it would have affected their relationship.
It has transformed the economic landscape too. The road has been an asset for companies, especially those involved in logistics. New business parks appeared in the likes of Villers-Bocage and Saint-Lô, giving the local job market a lift.
Empowering tourism and business
By making it easier to reach iconic places such as Mont-Saint-Michel or attractions such as Zoo de Champrépus and Zoo de Jurques, the A84 has also fuelled tourism and helped significantly increase visitor numbers. The same goes for towns such as Avranches (with its Scriptorial Museum) and Villedieu-les Poêles (with its bell foundry and coppersmith). In the meantime, new traffic flow between big cities helped support and even improve local business.
In the space of just 20 years, the A84 has done what it set out to achieve. It’s still a strategic road connecting the Grand Ouest with the rest of France and Europe with its link to the Route des Estuaires.
Thematics
