Heading to Southern France

[christhreadgill]

So I’m getting married at the end of September, and we are fancying a drive down to South of France in early October for a week.

I’ve got good memories as a child in both Avignon and Perpignan, so have put a rough pin in that area. My E91 should be up and running by this point, so would like a jaunt down with an overnight stay.

Is the below a decent route to follow? Or better to head to Bordeaux from Tours and follow the coast for a bit?



Thoughts being this far south in early October would be OK weather-wise, and can head for the Pyrenees and maybe come back overnight ferry from Bilbao, via the N260 route.

Thoughts on a postcard!

[littlebasher]

I'd say the scenery on your chosen route is probably better than going via Bordeaux

Nice way to avoid Paris too !

[Car bon]

South of Bordeaux the autoroute is pretty boring. The coastal route has some lovely places, but by October is very quiet if not closed up for the year.

[CABC]

a lot of places close from Oct 1st, and the weather is surprisingly variable, more so than eastern Spain ime.
pleasantly peaceful if you're forewarned and flexible though. if you're taking a nice car the Pyrenees are calling.

[Dblue]

Route looks good but stay on the A75 south of Clermont and cross the Millau Viaduct , then down to the A9 at Montpelier rather than going across to Lyon and the inevitably busy A7.Its free (except for the viaduct) and empty.
IF you really want some proper driving leave the A75 at Mende and do the Tarn gorge, Florac and across to Anduze on the Corniche des Cevennes.

[christhreadgill]

Thanks all.

Appreciate October is out of season, but that’s actually quite appealing, and hence not heading for the Cote D’Azure!

Millau was on the list for the drive down. I don’t think getting Calais/Le Harve to Avignon in one day is doable unless sticking to the Autoroutes - will have to find a Chambre D’Hotes somewhere around Limoges / Lyon probably.

[braddo]

Consider staying in Vichy - it is a beautiful spa town. The A75 down to millau is the most entertaining motorway i have been on

[m44ttg]

If you are in south west France, it's worth checking out the D622, just east of Auterive. Fabulous for a spirited drive.

[Dblue]

braddo said:

Consider staying in Vichy - it is a beautiful spa town. The A75 down to millau is the most entertaining motorway i have been on

Its also free except for the viaduct itself -
So much better than the A7 which has lots of traffic and lots of gendarmes too.