Millau to Aubenas
We are planning a holiday in May with our caravan and will be travelling to Millau in France and then on to Aubenas.
Has anyone travelled with a caravan on the N88 north of Millau to Pradelles via Mende, and then on the N102 to Aubenas. On the map the N102 especially looks quite twisty and we were wondering if we would be better taking the motorway route although it is another 70 miles.
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We have done both 'halves' of the route - ie from Langogne to Millau, and from Langogne to Aubenas, and neither direction worried us unduly but we knew what to expect from many holiday in the area previously (including some experimenting with much more unsuitable roads).
Expect it to take longer than the route planner says, because (certainly for us) there were places we just wanted to stop and take photographs. The route down from Langogne to Aubenas has some spectacular views. There are some nice places to stop for a picnic lunch.
If there are just two of you, and neither is sensitive to winding roads, then I would go for it. It's much more interesting than the autoroute alternative.
We've also used a different 'alternative' route, south from Millau to the D7, then via Sauclieres, Aveze, Ganges, St Hippolyte, Anduze, Saint Cristol les Ales, Ales, and then Aubenas but according to Google that will take a lot longer.
NB - All routes were done whilst towing a Swift caravan, with a Ford Mondeo.
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Well, assuming you like the same things as us (wildlife,nice old villages, interesting markets, etc) here are some ideas to be going on with - and there are loads more - I've already edited this and added more!
Wildlife: Vultures along the Jonte - stop at the Vulture centre - you can pay to go round the centre or just use the free telescopes on the parking area opposite. Beavers in the river Tarn and you may see them from any riverside campsite near dusk. Wild Boar up on the Causses at the top of the Gorge at late dusk. Bee eaters - listen for them 'proop-prooping' (very distinctive) overhead as they swoop around catching insects. Butterflies - almost every where and at Les Peupliers they used to congregate in huge numbers on a particular riverside stone. Bats overhead. Watch out for the shepherds on the Causse taking hundreds of their sheep between winter and summer pastures at the beginning and end of the season. Some villages have an official 'Transhumance' which is a celebration of this change of pasture from high up in summer to the valleys in winter. The wild Przewalski's horses on the Causse are also worth a visit. We've seen Eagles flying low overhead, and one dropped his prey at our feet when he was obviously surprised to see us. There are several types of eagle in the area. There are also farmed bison up on the causse.
Walks (for people who like walking, not 'strolling') Walk up to t The Chateau Peyreleau - especially if they're having a theme day (story telling, mediaeval music, birds of prey) - or on other days just for the view. Walk up to the Hermitage St Michel out of Le Rozier - where you'll be so high you're at eye level with the vultures at the top of the Gorge (if you're not a strong walker then drive up to the Point Sublime. An easier walk is the one to the lovely chapel in Meyrueis - and stop off at the double-fronted patisserie in Meyrueis itself for the best fruit pastries in France! Almost anywhere else is worth a walk - most campsites have details of the local area walks and there are some great ones.
Villages - almost all the villages around have something to look at. From Cresse across the river Tarn, Compeyre, Le Rozier is busy and touristy and I don't think particularly attractive, but further up the Gorge the villages climb up the hillside with some cobbled streets and very attractive pale stone houses. Right at the top of the Gorge is Ste Enemie, again with some lovely buildings, and then further up Florac. La Couvertoirade is a Templar village - very touristy but still worth visiting. Ste Eulalie de Cernon is a similar Templar site but less visited and more 'authentic' - and there are several others. St Pierre les Tripiers is a typical 'Cevenole' village with lots of vaulted buildings. Even Le Cavalarie (near to the southern access to the A75) is worth a wonder around the old Templar fortress.
Markets: Millau market is a typical French one, but the night market (Mondays in summer only) is great - food stalls selling their own produced wares, and you get a plate and a glass and can buy and try all the various things. Any other Marche de Producteur or Marche Nocturne is worth a visit.
Natural phenomena (caves, etc) - we liked the Abime de bramabiau which is an underground river which makes a ferocious noise like a roaring bull! The Aven Armand is a huge cave, with an absolute forest of stalagmites and stalagtites - entered on a little railway. The Grotte d'Argilan is another show cave. The rock formations at Montpellier le Vieux is interesting to wander around. The Cirque de Navacelles is a bit further afield but worth a trip - it's a huge meander in a river, which has made a giant bowl with the village of Navacelles at the bottom. There is a nice waterfall to walk to out of Creissels.
Drives - up the Gorge du Tarn obviously, but also along the Gorge du Jonte up to Meyrueis, and along the Dourbie from the Millau end as far as Roque Ste Marguerite, or along to Nant. Up to the observatory at Mont Aiguoal - where on a clear day you can see all the way to the Med. Roquefort for the cheese caves - there is another cheese maker now in the Gorge, just up from Peyreleau - haven't had time to visit there.
Obviously you'll want to see the Millau viaduct, but talk time to drive on the north side of the Tarn to underneath the viaduct at it's highest point above ground and marvel at just how high it is. Watch the hang gliders taking off from the Puncho d'Aghast - and then watch them land down on the strip near Camping Larribal.
Is that enough to be going on with? If you have any other specific interests then just ask - and we'll try to help!
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Hi Val
What a mine of information, thank you so much.
It sounds like we enjoy similar places, I find the old villages and scenery absolutely stunning.
We have caravanned for over 20 years in France but gave up in 2012, however the bug got the better of us and we started again late last year. We love Provence, the Pyrenees and the Dordogne. It is very easy to go back to the same places so we decided this year to have a change. Peter does the driving and I enjoy route planning, navigating and finding lovely, often simple campsites.
Best wishes, Sarah
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There's a really nice simple campsite right on top of the Gorge at St Rome de Dolan. Spacious pitches, the most fantastic views right across to the other side of the Gorge (and down to the bottom if you have a head for heights). The road down into the gorge is steep and winding, but you can actually get to the site easily with a caravan across the causse from the junction at the Aire d'Aveyron on the A75. However, if you look at google maps you'll see why you shouldn't try to get there from the bottom of the gorge with a caravan!
Reviews here http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=15907 but the sanitary facilities have been upgraded since the last review. The website for the site isn't correct on that link, so here's the new website which does show the new sanitary block which is now of a really good standard! Camping Municipal Aux Portes de Sauveterre The 'common room' is a fantastic resource and well looked after by Madam! There may also be a 'travelling van' which is sometimes in the 'square' in St. Rome (just outside the site really) on Mondays and sells take-away 'grillades' - sausages, pork, ham, etc., and accompaniments - rolls, frites, salad etc.
As a small and simple site in a delightful area I don't think you'll find better.
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