Massif Central -France

[Peter Pan]

Hi folks!

I'm toying with the idea of doing a trip to the Massif Central in France next year, for a week departing on a Saturday morning from Dover and returning the following Sunday (8 nights away in total).

I'm assuming 1 overnight stay on the way down, one on the way back and 6 nights in one (maybe two) hotels once down there and was wondering whether anyone :

1. Could recommend the best Town to stay for the 6 (or 3 night) duration in order to maximise the touring days out.
2. Could recommend a good, biker friendly hotel which is clean, with good food, reasonably priced and has good off road parking for my pride & joy.
3. Can produce a "must see" or "whatever you do, don't miss this" list of routes to ride or places to visit.
4. Had any good routes available that I could load straight into my Garmin 2610.

Thanks Guys. Would be grateful for your help (once again!)

 

[Spikehammer]

You could base yourself in Le Puy-en-Velay, beautiful place.

http://www.centralia.ctc.edu/~vfreund/frenchresources/frenchslides/MassifCentral/LePuy/LePuy.html

Try the roads in the area and also any of the roads (look for the smaller ones especially) leading too or from Les Vans.

From Le Puy you could do most of the area: Ambert (http://www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourisme/ambert.htm) and Thiers(http://www.ville-thiers.fr/) to the North, The Ardeche to the South (http://www.guideweb.com/ardeche/indexa.html), The Cevennes National Park and The Gorge du Tarn to the West (http://causses-cevennes.com/defaultUK.htm) etc , etc.

Stop in Orleans (http://www.virtourist.com/europe/orleans/01.htm) on the way down and Amiens (http://www.justtourfrance.com/Picardie/town.asp?town=Amiens&area=Somme&county=Picardie)
on the way back, both great places to explore and not too crowded.

Have fun.

 

[Banjaxed]

Agree with Spikehammer

We spent some time south of Le Puy and if you can make it to Najac, you won't be disappointed. We stayed at L'Oustal del Barry, which had unbelievable food and our room overlooked the medievel street, straight down to the castle. Unbelievable!
Most of the roads were good, some were great and a few were outstanding. The Gorge du Tarn was fabulous (eagles soaring overhead) and we followed the Caravan Towing World Champoin through the gorge. Pedal to the metal, this guy FLEW round some very twisty bits - and I especially liked the way his expensive new caravan cleared the rough-hewn tunnel walls by inches...
Bags of info available online - for the Auvergne, try here.
There's always the temptation to try and fit too much in, so I'd suggest that if you want to enjoy this bit, bite the bullet and take the autoroute there and back. Otherwise, you may end up with endless hours in the saddle and not see anything but tarmac for the entire 8 days.
Have fun you lucky devil!

 

[Peter Pan]

Excellent stuff!

Thanks Spikehammer and Banjaxed of Worthing Great advice. Am VERY grateful. Gives me plenty to work on ..........

 

[Baz]

we did the trip a few years ago & stayed in La Boubel which was a nice little place with a Cable car.

Roads were outstanding especially one trip up & around Puy Mary

We left Calais at 11:00 and arrived at 21;00, so is do able in one day if you use autoroutes.

Baz

 

[Tim Cullis]

Try this route from Puy de Dôm to Aurillac, especially the latter section from Pas de Peyrol to Aurillac. It's the cheese trail, so you need to stop at farmhouses and ask for 'un degoustation' (a taste) before you buy.

 

[Peter Pan]

we did the trip a few years ago & stayed in La Boubel which was a nice little place with a Cable car.

Roads were outstanding especially one trip up & around Puy Mary

We left Calais at 11:00 and arrived at 21;00, so is do able in one day if you use autoroutes.

Baz

Cheers Baz, Is the spelling for La Boubel correct 'cos for some strange reason I can't find it on my City Navigator maps v8? Where is it near?

 

[Peter Pan]

Try this route from Puy de Dôm to Aurillac, especially the latter section from Pas de Peyrol to Aurillac. It's the cheese trail, so you need to stop at farmhouses and ask for 'un degoustation' (a taste) before you buy.

Thanks Tim. Garmin file duly saved.

Can you or anyone recommend a good hotel in this vicinity?

 

[Baz]

Sorry it La Bourboule, its about 4 miles east of Mont Dore.

Think the hotel was called Charlotte.

Baz

 

[Peter Pan]

Sorry it La Bourboule, its about 4 miles east of Mont Dore.

Think the hotel was called Charlotte.

Baz

Found it! Thanks Baz