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Via Cantal and Aveyron


PaulT

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We shall be travelling down in just under two weeks time to the Haute Garonne. However, this time, instead of the 05:50 shuttle and then drive down the Autoroutes to arrive in the evening we have decided to see something of the countryside.

 

We shall travel over on a late afternoon shuttle and stop as Chartres for the night. Next day down to below Clermont Ferrand and then across country towards Toulouse to take in the Cantal and Aveyron scenery.

 

I would be grateful for any must see things so that we can try to plan our route or suggestions on a scenic route..

 

Thanks

 

Paul

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I'd suggest taking the road from Massiac (on the A75 south of Clermont) to Aurillac via Le Lioran (the N122). In the winter Le Lioran is a nice small ski-resort, and the mountains are quite a sight even in summer. If you then take the D920 south from Aurillac, and leave it at Lacapelle del Fraisse for the D601, you can take in Conques for a visit - it's well worth the detour. After that you head towards Rodez and Albi for Toulouse.

If you really like unspoilt scenery, leave the N122 at Murat and head towards the Pas de Peyrol and Puy Mary (a Tour de France route) and come into Aurillac via the valley of the Jordanne. If you can spend yet more time in the Cantal, go from the Pas de Peyrol to Salers (the other road away from the pass) and try to time it for lunch - Salers beef and Salers cheese are specialities that are simply not to be missed. The town is worth seeing too.

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[quote user="Araucaria"]If you really like unspoilt scenery, leave the N122 at Murat and head towards the Pas de Peyrol and Puy Mary (a Tour de France route) and come into Aurillac via the valley of the Jordanne. If you can spend yet more time in the Cantal, go from the Pas de Peyrol to Salers (the other road away from the pass) and try to time it for lunch - Salers beef and Salers cheese are specialities that are simply not to be missed. The town is worth seeing too.[/quote]

At the Pas de Peyrol, take a break at the buron (small sheperd's refuge) at the edge of the road and enjoy a simple meal of truffade (crushed crispy sliced potatoes and local cheese) and jambon sec.

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Thank you for those suggestions which look good. How about if I go off of the A75 further up the A75 and venture down to Massiac - would it be more scenic than the N122.

The aim of the journey down is to enjoy the scenery and if it means going the long way then so be it. We thought it would make a nice change from just sitting at 130kph on the Autoroutes to get to our house asap.

Paul

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