It is important to get the map that goes with the guidebook as all altitudes and nomenclature are taken from this map:
Buy it from Needlesports here, we paid CHF22.50 which is 16 quid but it's only £11 at Needle.
The Alpine Club Guide Book is this one:
£19.50 from Needlesports here. This covers everything from hut access info and contact details to route descriptions, grades and descents. In fact we organised our whole trip armed with only these two pieces of info.
Driving time from Calais is about 9 hours and we consider the French Peage well worth the money, faster and safer. We always stop at the rest areas that have no commercial presence and break out the Trangia, having stocked up en-route with the obligatory cheese, tomatoes and saucisson.
Route here.
