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                                      The Millau Experience .....       Moira and Petes' recent drive to Marseillan

 
  We have on several occasions now driven down to Marseillan and have come to love the route which takes us over the Massif Central and the Millau bridge. Stunning! The bit around Paris seems a bit daunting but now we just follow the signs for Bordeaux and half a hour out of Paris change onto the A71 and head for Clermont Ferrand. Coming from the wilds of Norfolk we have to brave the M25 to the south coast but after that the loosening of the bonds begins: preferably these days at the channel tunnel but otherwise the cheapest way to jump the water possible. It's become a matter of pride to make the transition as inexpensively as possible and mostly we take the pirate beaters from Calais to Boulogne  Speedferries. If you do, speak to the helpful and pleasant staff about the information monitors and like us you may be be lucky and get invited to the bridge to meet the Captain (and you think policemen are getting younger, he has the smallest steering wheel Moira had ever seen) a very worthwhile experience to while away the 50 minute crossing.
    Once out of Paris and as the miles fall away the mantle of UK life seems to melt with each degree of latitude passed. Artenay seems to always   appear as we become weary, not the most exciting place but always a welcome bed either in one of the modern hotels by the autoroute or the more traditional and quirky hotel in the village, Gradually being renovated but still with a good dose of Gallic humour and very passable home cooked food. We always these days travel with our faithful "Logis de France" and have had some interesting! but never dull experiences on the way. The road after Clermont Ferrand comes to life and the journey over the volcanic mountains is breathtaking, if you have the time  and the inclination get off the autoroute at every opportunity and meander through the little villages with their tiny streets and inviting bars. One such establishment lurks at junction 36, Lompdes,   go through the village and at the far end is a gem, two ladies run a bar with cafe at the back. Always packed with the local workforce past and present, A polite enquiry as to whether we  can eat was and is always answered with just a 'yes'.
 Viaduc du Millau from the viewpoint

    A  choice of wine, only the colour,  and no discussion about the food,  it just comes. Perfect. I'll not mention any more specifically incase the hordes decend and five years of hard  won discoveries bite the dust.        Once over the passes and nearly home you will if you have any soul be impressed with Sir Normans little bridge.   How the French ever managed to swallow their pride and ask an Englishman for help defies belief but we came to the rescue and now they have a  truely world and Walt Disney beating attraction, www.viaducdemillau.     Just before the bridge, travelling south the Aire du viaduc de Millau offers the best views although the walk to the view point in best undertaken pre lunch and without an Apero. It's so good we don't even mind the toll, obviously payback time is less than a year and it saves at least an hour on the journey.   The latest bit on this route to get  a makeover is the Lodeve by-pass, by-pass being the biggest understatement this €. If it's not   to sad to wax lyrical about a road I will for a moment. ........... There! Go and look for yourself.