The Middle Bit to Millau and point Sublime!

Dean

Dean

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Any information - ideas ? :nenau

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 :D!

Is there anything close to this route that anyone could suggest a visit? (Road, place, Sites)?
 
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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.
 
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!
 
Thank you all for the information so far :clap it will help me fine tune the route :thumb2 , I'm still going through it there is a vast amount in this area :D I have a feeling rain or shine the Days will be very long :D :D :D




any other input is welcomed :thumb2


:beerjug:
 
gman2 said:
Do a search for Eiffel Viaducts.

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garabit_viaduct
Click to expand...

It even looks interesting at night :D

France-ViaducGarabit.jpg


I must have a stop there, thanks :thumb2
 
Allan Davies said:
Albi is a must as its on the way and the D999 is ace, lovely place to visit and have some scran:thumb2
Click to expand...

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

Johno23 said:
Stay off the motorways, your route down to Orleans and beyond is mind numbing:blast

Can also recommend the D999
Click to expand...

Albi to Millau D999 :thumb2

Yes i agree motorways are not fun :(
 
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 :barf! From Grasse head towards the N85 and head north its whole length.
 
stonehenge said:
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 :barf! From Grasse head towards the N85 and head north its whole length.
Click to expand...

That would have to be another trip :bounce1, 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 :D :D

Have been route napoleon a few times :thumb2 superb twisties :beerjug:
 
Phluppe said:
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!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the listing :beerjug:

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

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

John Armstrong said:
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 :eek
Click to expand...

Thanks,

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

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

:D
 
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.:thumb2
 
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