Narbonne to Calais. What to see en route?

[Hel999]

after a total change of plan due to such good weather in Spain leading to us staying longer, we are postponing our tour of West Coast France until another time and have ended up at Narbonne. Tunnel crossing is on Friday 29th so we have a few days to get to Calais. We are going via Millau, Clemont Ferrand...... But as I didn't study this area of France before leaving I'm not sure what is a 'must see' or 'must stay' on the way home. Love old towns, history, pretty villages, lakes, etc etc. Any suggestions welcome as internet is limited and I haven't time to do much research for myself now. Thanks, Helen

 

[chaser]

after a total change of plan due to such good weather in Spain leading to us staying longer, we are postponing our tour of West Coast France until another time and have ended up at Narbonne. Tunnel crossing is on Friday 29th so we have a few days to get to Calais. We are going via Millau, Clemont Ferrand...... But as I didn't study this area of France before leaving I'm not sure what is a 'must see' or 'must stay' on the way home. Love old towns, history, pretty villages, lakes, etc etc. Any suggestions welcome as internet is limited and I haven't time to do much research for myself now. Thanks, Helen

Very interested in this as we are doing the reverse route on the third of May

 

[Clarky]

There are a several lovely historic villages just off the A75 that are well worth exploring, with good aires.
If you look at my blog you will see lots of photos:-
Blesle,
https://motorhomemoments.wordpress.com/2016/04/16/a-beaux-village/

Le Malzieu-Ville,
https://motorhomemoments.wordpress.com/2015/10/05/should-we-go-or-should-we-stay/

La Couvertoirade, https://motorhomemoments.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/france-2014-second-helpings/

You may have to 'fast forward' through the blog to find the bit you want.

I have put a video of Le Malzieu-Ville on my YuTube channel:-

Richard.

 

[namwaldog]

We stopped off at a very pretty village called La Canourgue,
44.433416, 3.211759 44°26'00.3"N 3°12'42.3"E
There is a free Aire there and it is just off the A 75 about 120 miles south of Clermont Ferrand and about 30 miles north of Millau.

The village is classified as a 'Village étape' which means that it has "all the basic services required by a traveller

• Population under 5000

• A range of "basic" shops (butcher, baker, newsagent, grocer)

• A range of varied eating places

• A classified hotel

• A Tourist Information Point or Centre

• A shaded parking area

• A telephone

• A picnic area

• Public toilets

• A Cash machine"

The village is surrounded by hills and all the streams seem to run under the buildings to this central point to form a river.
Nice Boulangerie just round the corner.

 

[Hel999]

@namwaldog thankyou. Spent a lovely afternoon and eve in La Canourgue. Such a lovely place.

@Clarky thankyou also. We are currently sitting eating croissants from the artisan boulangerie after exploring the medieval old town. What a stunning place.

I am so glad I started this thread now. We would have undoubtedly missed these 2 places and just stayed on the main road if it hadn't been for you guys.

As we don't want to get too far up France until Thursday this is what we shall be doing for the next few days, exploring places like these so keep the suggestions coming.

Oh and although it is sunny with blue skies mostly, it is a bit of a shock to have temps of 0 and 1 degree with the odd snowflake after being in temps of 28 degrees a few hundred miles back!

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[kelv]

Millau is a great place to stop there are a couple of nice sites on the river easy walk into town.

 

[Rapphil]

Millau is a great place to stop there are a couple of nice sites on the river easy walk into town.

Agree Millau a favourite and don't forget centre under the bridge to see how it was built..fascinating.

 

[snowdrops]

Also very interested as we're doing the reverse in June. Heading for Barcelona before our 2 weeks in France.

 

[magicsurfbus]

Near to Clermont-Ferrand you have the Puy de Dome, a relatively extinct volcano (last eruption a mere 9,000 years ago) that you can ascend by foot, bike or electric train for some breathtaking views of the surrounding terrain. Also various things on the summit to keep your interest including loonies jumping off it with hang gliders and the like. You can park overnight in the MH parking area. Just down the road from there is Vulcania, a volcano-themed visitor attraction which is a bit different to most. They have a purpose built aire.

 

[Tootles]

after a total change of plan due to such good weather in Spain leading to us staying longer, we are postponing our tour of West Coast France until another time and have ended up at Narbonne. Tunnel crossing is on Friday 29th so we have a few days to get to Calais. We are going via Millau, Clemont Ferrand...... But as I didn't study this area of France before leaving I'm not sure what is a 'must see' or 'must stay' on the way home. Love old towns, history, pretty villages, lakes, etc etc. Any suggestions welcome as internet is limited and I haven't time to do much research for myself now. Thanks, Helen

Very nice 88 mm Flack (anti-tank) emplacement on the road between Narbonne Plage and the town, with a fixed position for a Flackpanzer 1V Wirbelwind on the cliff overlooking the beach. Well worth a visit.

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