Calais to Cap D Agde (south of france advice please.
Discussion
HI
Planning on driving down to Cap D Agde this summer, The route that seems most direct is A26/A1 to Paris ring road, then A10/A71/A75 down to Agde?
We will be stopping half way maybe clermont ferrand?
Is this the most direct route to take?
We want to see the Millau span bridge which I think we drive over?
Any one done this route? pass on any tips? would be much appreciated...
Looking for useful stops on the way too!
Planning on driving down to Cap D Agde this summer, The route that seems most direct is A26/A1 to Paris ring road, then A10/A71/A75 down to Agde?
We will be stopping half way maybe clermont ferrand?
Is this the most direct route to take?
We want to see the Millau span bridge which I think we drive over?
Any one done this route? pass on any tips? would be much appreciated...
Looking for useful stops on the way too!
All sounds about right - but expect delay around Paris if you stick to the Peripherique. If you want to really see the Millau viaduct you'll have to stop at the viewing area before crossing or - better still - take time off to go down into the town so you can look up. Driving over it, particularly in bad weather, is like flying - you can't see a thing over the sides.
A stop around Clermont/Riom or a bit further south around Issoire or St Flour also sounds ok. Make sure you try the local delicacy 'aligot' with your dinner. It's a mix of mashed potato, melted Tomme fraiche cheese and cream - once tried, never forgotten. It's all pretty rugged scenery from then on but nothing much outstanding except for the Millau viaduct. You might want to stop for a coffee at the A75 service area near St Flour called Garabit and walk to the edge of the car park for a view of the nearby 19th century railway viaduct of the same name - one of Eiffel's early efforts (I think...).
While I'm sure I don't need to tell you about the delights of Cap d'Agde (I was there a couple of weeks ago but at my time of life I prefer Sete, just across the causeway), the old town of Agde itself is worth a look. It's built mostly of black basalt, a bit like Clermont Ferrand, and wasn't much rated. But now it calls itself 'the black pearl of the Mediterranean coast' and it does have some interesting buildings. A little word of advice - don't use the public loos at the town centre car park unless you are looking for something other than a quick pee.
Travelogue over...
A stop around Clermont/Riom or a bit further south around Issoire or St Flour also sounds ok. Make sure you try the local delicacy 'aligot' with your dinner. It's a mix of mashed potato, melted Tomme fraiche cheese and cream - once tried, never forgotten. It's all pretty rugged scenery from then on but nothing much outstanding except for the Millau viaduct. You might want to stop for a coffee at the A75 service area near St Flour called Garabit and walk to the edge of the car park for a view of the nearby 19th century railway viaduct of the same name - one of Eiffel's early efforts (I think...).
While I'm sure I don't need to tell you about the delights of Cap d'Agde (I was there a couple of weeks ago but at my time of life I prefer Sete, just across the causeway), the old town of Agde itself is worth a look. It's built mostly of black basalt, a bit like Clermont Ferrand, and wasn't much rated. But now it calls itself 'the black pearl of the Mediterranean coast' and it does have some interesting buildings. A little word of advice - don't use the public loos at the town centre car park unless you are looking for something other than a quick pee.
Travelogue over...
Thanks for the tips and feedback...Its our first visit to Cap D Agde so any more advice would be much appreciated.. We normally drive to St Jean D Monts in the Vendee, however the weather has been getting worse over the past few years and last year we had more rain than sun! A real shame as we love the area!
We will be in the south of France for approx 3 wks... so were planning on driving across the coast and doing cannes, monaco nice etc... any advice?
Just wondering have you done the other route down via Reims, Troyes, Dijon,Lyon? according to the sat nav it only takes 30 mins longer? but with so many cities it must take longer? I really wanted to visit Avignon... Not sure why it just sounds like a delightful place?
Will definitely try the Mash.. sounds delicious!
We will be in the south of France for approx 3 wks... so were planning on driving across the coast and doing cannes, monaco nice etc... any advice?
Just wondering have you done the other route down via Reims, Troyes, Dijon,Lyon? according to the sat nav it only takes 30 mins longer? but with so many cities it must take longer? I really wanted to visit Avignon... Not sure why it just sounds like a delightful place?
Will definitely try the Mash.. sounds delicious!
We drove down to Millau and on to the Pyrenees last year but took the Reims, Troyes, across to Bourges (for overnight) then down to Clermont Ferrand and Millau (overnight again). We weren't in a hurry so stopped for food and petrol quite regularly.
I was advised to avoid the Paris peripherique at all costs!
You won't see a lot of the Millau viaduct driving over it, as mentioned it's best seen from below. We diverted off the motorway quite early and drove down to and in the Gorges Du Tarn to get to Millau which was lovely scenery and good fun.
I was advised to avoid the Paris peripherique at all costs!
You won't see a lot of the Millau viaduct driving over it, as mentioned it's best seen from below. We diverted off the motorway quite early and drove down to and in the Gorges Du Tarn to get to Millau which was lovely scenery and good fun.
Cap D'Agde is a bit of an acquired taste architecturally (although I like it personally) but old Agde is quite nice. Pezanas is lovely and Beziers has it's own charm. Go to the delightful hamlet of Villeneuvette and visit the huge inland lakes (Lac Salgou & Lac Le Peyne) which are lovely.
There are some nice - though often busy - beaches to the west of Agde, around Arjeles and Vias and, if your into wine, some great vineyards to tour.
All in all, a delightful area and curiously overshadowed by the much over-rates Provence/Cote D'Azur
There are some nice - though often busy - beaches to the west of Agde, around Arjeles and Vias and, if your into wine, some great vineyards to tour.
All in all, a delightful area and curiously overshadowed by the much over-rates Provence/Cote D'Azur
Edited by ClaphamGT3 on Thursday 9th April 13:06
We do the exact route 4 or 5 times a year. (We have some apartments we rent out in Cap). Providing we miss the morning/evening rush hour in Paris, its the quickest route.
Alternatives are Reims/Dijon/Lyon, done it once on recommendation of a friend and spent 2hrs getting past Lyon.
Another route is to go via Rouen/Chartres/Orleans, a little cheaper on tolls, just about the same distance, but adds around an hour travelling time compared with a good run through Paris. We normally get a late ferry from Dover and hit Paris at around 5am, and see no traffic.
As said above, the best way to view the Millau is to stop at the viewing point/car park just before the bridge.
We usually do it in one straight run down around 10 hours including coffee stops, cheap fuel at Carefour in Issoire, just 300yds from the motorway junction, a very boring drive from Calais to Clermont Ferrand, but gets much more scenic and interesting for the last 3hrs from Clermont all the way down to Cap.
Anything else i can help with feel free to pm.
Alternatives are Reims/Dijon/Lyon, done it once on recommendation of a friend and spent 2hrs getting past Lyon.
Another route is to go via Rouen/Chartres/Orleans, a little cheaper on tolls, just about the same distance, but adds around an hour travelling time compared with a good run through Paris. We normally get a late ferry from Dover and hit Paris at around 5am, and see no traffic.
As said above, the best way to view the Millau is to stop at the viewing point/car park just before the bridge.
We usually do it in one straight run down around 10 hours including coffee stops, cheap fuel at Carefour in Issoire, just 300yds from the motorway junction, a very boring drive from Calais to Clermont Ferrand, but gets much more scenic and interesting for the last 3hrs from Clermont all the way down to Cap.
Anything else i can help with feel free to pm.
Do this every other year with a caravan , The Paris ring road is getting a bit of a bad reputation with Roma Gypsies preying on non French motorists stuck in traffic , begging and cleaning windows , and kicking in doors if monies are not handed over .
As for the rest of the trip as said before , the Milau Viaduct visitor area is on the northern side , if you want to see from below you need to go down the old road heading for Pyre , and the lower visitor centre on the D41 under the bridge
As For Agde , we stay at the Le Grau D' Agde on the coast , nice open beach FREE parking much quieter
As for the rest of the trip as said before , the Milau Viaduct visitor area is on the northern side , if you want to see from below you need to go down the old road heading for Pyre , and the lower visitor centre on the D41 under the bridge
As For Agde , we stay at the Le Grau D' Agde on the coast , nice open beach FREE parking much quieter
Thanks for the advice.. I will drop you a pm if that is ok..
Herdwick said:
We do the exact route 4 or 5 times a year. (We have some apartments we rent out in Cap). Providing we miss the morning/evening rush hour in Paris, its the quickest route.
Alternatives are Reims/Dijon/Lyon, done it once on recommendation of a friend and spent 2hrs getting past Lyon.
Another route is to go via Rouen/Chartres/Orleans, a little cheaper on tolls, just about the same distance, but adds around an hour travelling time compared with a good run through Paris. We normally get a late ferry from Dover and hit Paris at around 5am, and see no traffic.
As said above, the best way to view the Millau is to stop at the viewing point/car park just before the bridge.
We usually do it in one straight run down around 10 hours including coffee stops, cheap fuel at Carefour in Issoire, just 300yds from the motorway junction, a very boring drive from Calais to Clermont Ferrand, but gets much more scenic and interesting for the last 3hrs from Clermont all the way down to Cap.
Anything else i can help with feel free to pm.
Alternatives are Reims/Dijon/Lyon, done it once on recommendation of a friend and spent 2hrs getting past Lyon.
Another route is to go via Rouen/Chartres/Orleans, a little cheaper on tolls, just about the same distance, but adds around an hour travelling time compared with a good run through Paris. We normally get a late ferry from Dover and hit Paris at around 5am, and see no traffic.
As said above, the best way to view the Millau is to stop at the viewing point/car park just before the bridge.
We usually do it in one straight run down around 10 hours including coffee stops, cheap fuel at Carefour in Issoire, just 300yds from the motorway junction, a very boring drive from Calais to Clermont Ferrand, but gets much more scenic and interesting for the last 3hrs from Clermont all the way down to Cap.
Anything else i can help with feel free to pm.
Thanks for your advice...
MX51ROD said:
Do this every other year with a caravan , The Paris ring road is getting a bit of a bad reputation with Roma Gypsies preying on non French motorists stuck in traffic , begging and cleaning windows , and kicking in doors if monies are not handed over .
As for the rest of the trip as said before , the Milau Viaduct visitor area is on the northern side , if you want to see from below you need to go down the old road heading for Pyre , and the lower visitor centre on the D41 under the bridge
As For Agde , we stay at the Le Grau D' Agde on the coast , nice open beach FREE parking much quieter
As for the rest of the trip as said before , the Milau Viaduct visitor area is on the northern side , if you want to see from below you need to go down the old road heading for Pyre , and the lower visitor centre on the D41 under the bridge
As For Agde , we stay at the Le Grau D' Agde on the coast , nice open beach FREE parking much quieter
You lucky thing!
We've driven down a couple of times via the bridge
Paris is fine until arriving in the area of CdG airport then grinds to a halt.
Not too bad but requires some patience!
Lyon winds me up each year!
Long queues.
Even the eastern ring road was slow last year.
We stopped at Paris St German
As for the south nr you.
Try lunches at the ports of Meze and Marsillan
Very nice.
Pezenas is pretty. Considered buying there!
Carcassonne is a good day out.
Sommieres has a lovely market place with a fantastic lunch spot
Pic saint loup wine is an up and coming
Plenty of big hitters near you should you wish to taste
Have a great time.
We've driven down a couple of times via the bridge
Paris is fine until arriving in the area of CdG airport then grinds to a halt.
Not too bad but requires some patience!
Lyon winds me up each year!
Long queues.
Even the eastern ring road was slow last year.
We stopped at Paris St German
As for the south nr you.
Try lunches at the ports of Meze and Marsillan
Very nice.
Pezenas is pretty. Considered buying there!
Carcassonne is a good day out.
Sommieres has a lovely market place with a fantastic lunch spot
Pic saint loup wine is an up and coming
Plenty of big hitters near you should you wish to taste
Have a great time.
There is an alternative to the Peripherique when traversing Paris that is slightly longer and involves more in tolls. There is an outer peripherique called the A86. It's pretty good on the W side of Paris, but avoid it if you take the E. Side. From Calais instead of the A1, take the A16 (which is a less boring and marginally cheaper autoroute) then, as you approach Paris take the A86 direction Nanterre. You end up at a section that is tolled and passes through a very long tunnel under Versailles and which spits you out S of Paris. You can then pick up your Autoroute to the South.
Because the tolls are moderately high (to pay for the long tunnel) and the alternatives are free, it sees a lot less traffic even during rush hour. The stretch between the tolls and where you leave the A16 can be busy it it's rush hour, but it is certainly less hassle than the Periph at rush hour (by the way did you know that traffic entering the periph has priority over traffic already on it).
Because the tolls are moderately high (to pay for the long tunnel) and the alternatives are free, it sees a lot less traffic even during rush hour. The stretch between the tolls and where you leave the A16 can be busy it it's rush hour, but it is certainly less hassle than the Periph at rush hour (by the way did you know that traffic entering the periph has priority over traffic already on it).
Absolutely agree with above post - take the West route round Paris using the A86 and the Duplex tunnel - quite an experience in itself because it is low and a bit claustrophobic (so no roof racks!) and there are no lorries - cost about 7 Euros in toll though. Pings you out near the start of the A10 and then motorway all the way south. Have a great time!
Oops, you're right. I forgot to add that the Duplex has a 2m height limit and as well as anything over 3.5t also bans motorbikes and LPG cars. There are speed cameras hidden in the roof (behind some of the speed limit signs) at a distance of about one every mile or so.
The tolls are variable according to the day and time. You can pay as little as €1.5 or as much as €10.5 see http://www.duplexa86.fr/fr/article/tarifs
The tolls are variable according to the day and time. You can pay as little as €1.5 or as much as €10.5 see http://www.duplexa86.fr/fr/article/tarifs
trunnie said:
There is an alternative to the Peripherique when traversing Paris that is slightly longer and involves more in tolls. There is an outer peripherique called the A86. It's pretty good on the W side of Paris, but avoid it if you take the E. Side. From Calais instead of the A1, take the A16 (which is a less boring and marginally cheaper autoroute) then, as you approach Paris take the A86 direction Nanterre. You end up at a section that is tolled and passes through a very long tunnel under Versailles and which spits you out S of Paris. You can then pick up your Autoroute to the South.
Because the tolls are moderately high (to pay for the long tunnel) and the alternatives are free, it sees a lot less traffic even during rush hour. The stretch between the tolls and where you leave the A16 can be busy it it's rush hour, but it is certainly less hassle than the Periph at rush hour (by the way did you know that traffic entering the periph has priority over traffic already on it).
I am going south from Calais later on in the year towing a caravan , and I was looking at giving the Peripherique a miss and using the A86 , obviously the west side A86 is out of the question due to the tunnel , but what is the objection to using the east side route Because the tolls are moderately high (to pay for the long tunnel) and the alternatives are free, it sees a lot less traffic even during rush hour. The stretch between the tolls and where you leave the A16 can be busy it it's rush hour, but it is certainly less hassle than the Periph at rush hour (by the way did you know that traffic entering the periph has priority over traffic already on it).
I did a virtual drive around the east side using Google street view and it seamed ok to me .
I would be traversing Paris at around 11pm/midnight
Pretty horrific traffic jams on the couple of occasions on Saturday afternoon/early evening that I tried the A86 East side (I live to the W of Paris). It runs past quite a few shopping centres. This may be less of a problem in summer. It also has a few autoroutes joining it which tend to slow it down.
Re-reading your post, at that time of night the jams should have disappeared and you'll just have to worry about the mad Parisian drivers. I did it in the opposite direction at about 1am on a Sunday morning and it looked pretty quiet.
Re-reading your post, at that time of night the jams should have disappeared and you'll just have to worry about the mad Parisian drivers. I did it in the opposite direction at about 1am on a Sunday morning and it looked pretty quiet.
Edited by trunnie on Thursday 23 April 17:37
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