The Middle Bit to Millau and point Sublime!

[Dean]

Any information - ideas ?

In a few weeks I shall be heading off for a jaunt into France, heading down to the Millau Viaduct and back. I always intended to pay the viaduct a visit but it never happened. (Either Alps or Pyrenees in the past) So these parts are new to me.

Can anyone please offer any ideas or suggestions on what is close to our trip-route that would be worth a visit-look and help enhance this Ride?

At this stage our etap stops are booked so set in stone!

something like this: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209245962594525340023.0004c4874b0c2d495c236&msa=0

from the chunnel first stop is Orleans, from there Millau I have heard the visitors centre underneath the viaduct is worth a look, from Millau on our way to Issoire I found this short route follows the Canyon via point Sublime to Ispagnac (I have seen pictures of this route in other threads)

http://www.routeyou.com/route/view/245711/car-and-motorcycle-route-gorges-du-tarn-motor-tour.en

from Ispagnac up to Issoire Via the Volcanoe, Puy de Sancy, then from Issoire to Troyes then home.

It always ceases to amaze me what gems are in France to be stumbled upon and just a train throw from England !

Is there anything close to this route that anyone could suggest a visit? (Road, place, Sites)?

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

You need to include Gorges du Tarn (near Millau)

Included!

 

[John Armstrong]

Puy de Dome:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?aq=1&...l0&aqi=g4g-s1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl

http://www.puydedome.com/

Great views on clear days, but, can get very popular, and try and avoid it when billions of flies decide it is the day to hatch!

 

[High-Tower]

You need to include Gorges du Tarn (near Millau)

Included!

+1 Don't miss this out, just follow the valley up from Millau.

 

[John Armstrong]

Don't miss this out, just follow the valley up from Millau.

Don't "just follow the valley" as you need to get out of it to appreciate its splendour, eg from La Malene heading towards Florac:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?aq=0&...lllll0&aqi=g5&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl

and google street view at the hairpin bends heading up the valley sides.

 

[hatzyian]

There are two visitors centers, on just to the north of the bridge, and another at the bottom of the bridge just outside the town (west side). The lower one is alot quieter and really shows the height of the bridge.

 

[gman2]

Do a search for Eiffel Viaducts.

Here's one that's not too far from your route.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garabit_viaduct

 

[Phluppe]

Once having passed the Montlucon region, that's where the beauty starts.

Try to include as many of the following roads, and you'll be fine:
- Gorge de la Sioulle (D109)
- The road from Puy de Dome (allthough I wouldn't bother going there, since you can't get up there by bike no more) towards Puy de Sancy (D942, D210, D27, D983 and all the way to the ski station)
- Col de Croix St. Robert (D36)
- Pas de Peyrol (D62 & D680)
- Col de Perthus (D317)
(If Pas de Peyrol is closed, like I encountered in March, take the Col de Sere over Super Lioran, nice alternative road)
- Entraygues-sur-Truyère is a nice region, can't go wrong there.
From there it's just around 3 houres eastbound and you're in Millau.

Grtz, Philip!

 

[Dean]

Thank you all for the information so far it will help me fine tune the route , I'm still going through it there is a vast amount in this area I have a feeling rain or shine the Days will be very long




any other input is welcomed

 

[Allan Davies]

Albi is a must as its on the way and the D999 is ace, lovely place to visit and have some scran

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Stay off the motorways, your route down to Orleans and beyond is mind numbing

Can also recommend the D999

 

[Dean]

Do a search for Eiffel Viaducts.

Here's one that's not too far from your route.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garabit_viaduct

It even looks interesting at night

I must have a stop there, thanks

 

[Dean]

Albi is a must as its on the way and the D999 is ace, lovely place to visit and have some scran

I googled Albi Images it looks like a must see, thanks

Stay off the motorways, your route down to Orleans and beyond is mind numbing

Can also recommend the D999

Albi to Millau D999

Yes i agree motorways are not fun

 

[stonehenge]

After Millau, head to Grasse using the D999 and derivatives, the excellent D362 and then turn right onto the mind blowing D37/D38, so twisty it almost made me ! From Grasse head towards the N85 and head north its whole length.

 

[Dean]

After Millau, head to Grasse using the D999 and derivatives, the excellent D362 and then turn right onto the mind blowing D37/D38, so twisty it almost made me ! From Grasse head towards the N85 and head north its whole length.

That would have to be another trip , as mentioned My Etap - hotel stops are booked, from chunnel to Orleans, Millau, Issoire, troyes and back to the Chunnel, 5 days.

This Trip is the middle bit to millau and what ever I can fit in around it on route to the Etap stops.. Happy to take slight detours

Have been route napoleon a few times superb twisties

 

[Dean]

Puy de Dome:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?aq=1&...l0&aqi=g4g-s1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl

http://www.puydedome.com/

Great views on clear days, but, can get very popular, and try and avoid it when billions of flies decide it is the day to hatch!

Puy de dome It looks great google images are superb, I will add it to the route, thanks


Hopefully on the Day there will be no Flies on me

 

[John Armstrong]

Puy de dome It looks great google images are superb, I will add it to the route, thanks


Hopefully on the Day there will be no Flies on me

I was there a few years back, and checking because of a comment in an earlier post, it looks like you have to pay €5 and let a bus take you up according to here:

http://www.france-for-visitors.com/massif-central/auvergne/puy-de-dome.html

Could always walk up

 

[Dean]

Once having passed the Montlucon region, that's where the beauty starts.

Try to include as many of the following roads, and you'll be fine:
- Gorge de la Sioulle (D109)
- The road from Puy de Dome (allthough I wouldn't bother going there, since you can't get up there by bike no more) towards Puy de Sancy (D942, D210, D27, D983 and all the way to the ski station)
- Col de Croix St. Robert (D36)
- Pas de Peyrol (D62 & D680)
- Col de Perthus (D317)
(If Pas de Peyrol is closed, like I encountered in March, take the Col de Sere over Super Lioran, nice alternative road)
- Entraygues-sur-Truyère is a nice region, can't go wrong there.
From there it's just around 3 houres eastbound and you're in Millau.

Grtz, Philip!

Thanks for the listing

I have just googled Gorge de la sioulle, images, looks superb

Puy de dome may be open now, this year see below ......

I was there a few years back, and checking because of a comment in an earlier post, it looks like you have to pay €5 and let a bus take you up according to here:

http://www.france-for-visitors.com/massif-central/auvergne/puy-de-dome.html

Could always walk up

Thanks,

I found this link suggesting It may be re opened after work to panaramic posts is complete 2012

http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Puy-de-Dôme&qryMountainID=7084

 

[sycomoto]

Just done it

We drove down to southern Spain via the milau. The road after the bridge towards perpenion is bloody fantastic even in a range rover. I love France and could live there.

 

[Gazzabart]

Oradour sur glane is worth a visit on the way down