This is a route we've used a lot, together with some campsite suggestions. It can be done almost entirely toll-free - you can even avoid the Millau viaduct toll by coming off into the town, and staying at one of the many campsites there for an overnight stay!
Dunkerque or Calais to Clermont Ferrand then Millau or the Languedoc with few tolls
NB You’ll need a Michelin or other good atlas to follow this route.
Section 1: Calais/Dunkerque to Rouen
Take the free autoroute, A16 direction Boulogne. At Junction 29 come off the autoroute and take the N1, direction Abbeville. At Abbeville take the free A28 towards Rouen.
Section 2: Around Rouen
At Rouen we take a route which takes us through the Grandmere tunnel, (see separate page)
Section 3: Towards Orleans
Continue through Pont de L’Arche and then on to A154 at junction 19 direction Evreux. Pass Evreux on the A154 and at the junction with the N12 take the N12 toward Dreux. This is the only hold-up we’ve found as there are roadworks on this section and it joins a busy HGV route. Before Dreux take the D828, then the N154 direction Chartres.
By pass or go through the centre of Chartres (not busy, easy signposts) but continue on the N154 direction Orleans. An alternative is to take the autoroute south of Chartres - we sometimes hop on the A10 autoroute at junction 13 and then take the A71 and off again at Junction 02. ***
Section 3 – South of Orleans to Moulins
Take the N20 through Ferte St Aubin, Salbris, and down to Vierzon. At Vierzon we take the N76 toward Bourges, bypassing Bourges on the D400.
If we want to stay overnight in Nevers then we head down the D976 direction Nevers then we head down the N76 direction St Pierre le Moutier then the N7 to Moulins.
Alternatively if we don’t want to stay in Nevers we take the N76 from Bourges to St Pierre Le Moutier, and continue down the N7 to Moulins
Section 4: Moulins to Clermont Ferrand: take the Moulins by pass, and just after Moulins the N9 to St Pourcain sur Sioule, Grannat.
You can get on the A71 at Gannat, in which case you pay 3 or 4 euros
or continue on the N9 towards Riom, and on at Junction 13 in which case you pay a couple of euros or continue the Clermont Ferrand ‘by-pass’ – direction Montpellier, and on at junction 2 on the A75 and then continue on to the A75 in the direction of Millau in which case you pay nothing.
A75 all the way down to Millau – some super overnight stops all alongside the river, take the exit before Millau so you don’t pay the toll (you can cross the bridge on your way home!). Then across the Larzac and through the tunnel of the Pas d’Escalette – spectactular views when you come out, on a clear day all the way to the Mediterranean. At the Aire Le Caylar, just before the Pas you can use the service area, or park up and walk up into the village – do look at the carved tree, which amazes small children. At Lodeve you can exit, and stock up with fuel at the Super U – generally parking available too for car and caravan if you want to shop or stop for a picnic.
Possible overnight stops
Camping La Grande Sologne at Nouan Le Fuzelier
Camping la Sologne at Salbris
Camp Municipal La Bellon at Vierzon
Camping Municipal de Nevers
Camping De Neuvre at Chatel De Neuvre (which is on the alternative route to St Pourcain from Moulins, the D009)
Camp Municipal Ile de la Ronde at St Pourcain sur Sioule
I know others recommend Camping de la Filature at Ebreuil, too – which only involves a small detour at Grannat
Overnight stops to the south of Clermont Ferrand have included
La Grange Fort at Parentignat
Camp Municipal de Mas at Issoire
** At this point we have also done the alternative route towards Gien, Briare and then Cosne sur la Loire, and down to Nevers – there are also only small tolls to pay on sections of this route – and a choice of sites at Gien – Le Bois du Bardelet, or Camping Touristique de Gien which is right alongside the Loire, or the Municipal de Plancherotte at Coullons, nearby. There are supermarkets and petrol stations in Gien for a cheap stock-up and fill-up.
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