D999 Albi to Millau

[briwy]

   

Does anyone know what this road is like please?

We are travelling up from Toulouse to Clermont Ferrand and I would like to have a look at the Millau bridge on the way.

Using the D999 seems to save about 80 miles over using the autoroute but it looks awfully bendy and slow on the map.

Any ideas please

Thanks

Brian

[Cerise]

Very bendy but extremely pretty and the road itself is good.  Unless you always like to roll at 130 I don't think it will take you much longer than the autoroute and the bridge and the views are worth it.  If you are looking for a lunch stop you could visit the caves at Roquefort and have lunch in the village there as it iis en route.

Enjoy your trip

Maggi

 

[briwy]

 Thanks cerise.

Sounds good,  definitely give it a go in preference to the autoroute

Brian

[Ron Avery]

The D999 is certainly not as bendy as the D 922 from your place to Cordes or St Andre, Cerise.[:D]

The D 999 is quite a major route and if I remember correctly quite wide by D road standards, as you approach Millau there are marvellous views of the Tarn valley (with places to view)  and the bridge from afar and you can get to the visitor centre off this road.  As for the N88 towards Clermont- Ferrand up to Carmaux and Rodez from Millau unless you want to stop en route, take the A75, it is quite a way from Rodez to the A 75 at Severac (48kms). 

What you could do if you really want to sight see, is go on the "old"  road to St Flour and Clermont-Ferrand from Rodez via D921 to  Espallion, then D 920 through Laquiole (where the knives are made) and Chaudes-Aigues ( hot water springs 82c ).  Also between there and St Flour there are fantastic views of the Gorges and dams of the Truyere.  At St Flour you join the A75 where its about 90 kms to Clermont-Ferrand and about 40 kms shorter than picking up the A 75 at Severac, mind you, that must be one of the most scenic motorways in Europe up through Mende and on through the volcanic mountains.

[briwy]

 Thanks for all the suggestions Ron.

Unfortunateley we wont have time to do all this as we are enroute from Cauterets to the ferry in Le Havre so will just have a look at the bridge.

Definitely sounds like a good route for next time though.

Brian

[jc]

A quick diversion off the A75(5min.)is worthwhile to see the Viaduct du Garabit.-nr. St. Flour.

[Ron Avery]

You can see the Viaduct du Garabitit quite well from the A75, (Garabit also built the Eiffel Tower, if you did not know) not sure about the pink paintwork though, look out for it on the left driving north just after the exit to the Aire for viewing it.