TRAVEL TO AND IN FRANCE - Autoroutes

More and better French Autoroutes

Toll-free autoroutes in France

Unlike just a few years ago there are now 2 major alternative autoroutes to the notorious A6 via Lyon to the southern parts of France. The scale of French investment in roads is impressive, and despite much of the network (but not all) being on tolls, the saving in time and potential road rage is well worthwhile for those in a hurry or with children. The other benefit is for those of us who prefer to potter through the towns the old N road is now less congested and more enjoyable.

For the South West the A20 ia now complete linking Paris and Toulouse via the A10 to Orleans, then the A71 to Vierzon onto the A20 for Toulouse via Limoges, Brive, Cahors and Montauban. This is a very enjoyable road cutting through some glorious scenery - and such a joy for those who used to struggle on the old N20. Cahors is now less than 7hrs from Calais - although you will have to pay about €40 (£25)in tolls (2005 figures),

viaduct Viaduc de Millau - autoroute A75 crossing the Tarn river

For those heading to the Languedoc the A75 is now almost complete, and importantly the traditional bottleneck of Millau is now bypassed by the spectacular Viaduc de Millau over the Valley of the River Tarn, designed by Sir Norman Foster and the highest bridge piers in the world ( 240m high). I have driven over it and is beautiful, elegant and breathtaking - worth a detour for. (Look at some stunning images of the bridge at www.viaducdemillau.com.
It measures 1125 ft. at its tallest point (62 ft. taller than the Eiffel Tower) and spans a length of 1.5 miles. It is estimated that it would take 7.4 seconds for a bottle of wine to hit the ground if dropped from the bridge's deck.

Tourist Office for Millau - CLICK HERE

LATEST - Richard Binns, the knowledgeable francophile and author of numerous guide books to France (French Leave, Hidden France, Bon Voyage) has a small booklet on a new route to the South of France using the Viaduc de Millau - called "Sun Run Supreme". The 665-mile SRS from Calais provides two alternatives: a fast run south (over 80% on autoroutes and dual-carriageways); or a lazy amble. You can select from three cost options: ‘toll-free’; ‘almost free’; or ‘frugal’ (about £15). The arrow-like run is the most direct route to the Med. The final 170 miles, often over 3,600ft-high, is an exhilarating A75 motorway mountain run.

It is available to order from his website at www.richard-binns.co.uk/ for a mere £2.00 including P&P

The A75 (le Méridienne) now links Paris and Beziers via the A10 to Orleans, then the A71 to Clermont-Ferrand, Millau and Pezenas through the heart of the Massif Central. Again the journey, particularly south of Clermont-Ferrand is wonderful - through the Volcanic region of le Puy and then through the Massif Central and down into the Haut Languedoc. Calais - Pezenas in about 9 hours with tolls of €55 (£37) in 2005. The "aire" and visitor centre at the northern end of the Bridge is incomplete, and only open to southbound traffice at the moment. There is another viewing area accessible from Millau town off the D992 towards St Georges-de-Luzenon. However, the A75 has no tolls throughout its length (from Clermont Ferrand south) - although you do have to pay a small toll to cross the Millau bridge.

Other new routes:-

SW France - A89 Mussidan to Thenon (east of Perigueux) - part of what will eventually be a cross-country route from Bordeaux to Clermont-Ferrand.CLICK HERE

Northern France - A29 Amiens to Neufchâtel which links Lille, Calais with Le Havre, Rouen, Caen, Normandy and Brittany CLICK HERE FOR MAP

Loire Valley - A87 Les Essarts to La Roche-sur-Yon - a new link from the Loire through to the Vendée CLICK HERE FOR MAP

Normandy - A28 from Rouen to Alençon - due to opened in October 2005 and with the stretch from Le Mans to Alencon already open this will make a fast route south from Caen and Le Havre. see www.alis-sa.com/

Normandy - A28 from Le Mans to Tours - where it connects with the A10 autoroute to Bordeaux - is due to opened in December 2005 - completing the route from the channel ports, Calais, Boulogne,Dieppe,Le Havre, Caen to western France and the Loire without going anywhere near Paris which has to be good news!

A few useful links:-

www.autoroutes.fr information on French autoroutes

www.viamichelin.co.uk - great journey planning site for France and the rest of Europe - calculates times, toll fees - even tells you where the speed cameras are!

"Wise Bison" - a useful French road site, which warns you of potential heavy traffic periods (such as those busy summer weekends when half of France is heading south whilst the other half is heading north) - but also has details of the "Itineraires Bis" - i.e. alternative routes which are often delightful and well-signposted (green Itineraire Bis" signs).