France Gorges
 

I will be driving from Beynac down to Toulouse, Sept 20th, and I just can't seem to figure out a gorge to visit. Which one if any would be closer to the route I would take south. We would leave early morning and hope to get to Toulouse by early evening. Any suggestions would be most appreciated, thanks.

Hi S,

Which do you have in mind?

((I))

That's my problem. I don't have a name. When I see one mentioned on here I look it up and can't seem to find it on Mappy so that I can see where it is and how close to the Dordogne it is. I don't know why this is stumping me.

Don't know much about them but I think Gorges of Aveyron should be on the route.

Bonsoir Susan! In which department is Beyzac? I found 3 on mappy. Maybe les Gorges du Tarn...

Bonjour Coco...why didn't I think to just ask you!!!!
Beynac & Cazenac in the Dordogne.
Yes, I was thinking of Gorge du Tarn but I can't seem to find it on the map.

grimmy: thanks, I'll look that one up too.

Susan I live quite far from there, but my grandma lived near Toulouse and I remember passing by les gorges du Tarn (Ste Enimie which was crowded!))
Here are a few links, good luck! :-)
http://www.ot-gorgesdutarn.com/index-gb.html

http://www.gorges-du-tarn.fr/modules/googlemaps/

http://cardoule.com/?lang=en
Voila!
((S))

Find the Millau bridge and it's just to the northeast, not to close to the Dordogne.

Hi Susanna,

Go to www.viamichelin.com and www,mappy.com.

Look up St. Chely du Tarn.

Also see my trip report. We did that route in reverse.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34676645

Photos at http://tinyurl.com/sjch4

((I))

Thanks Ira, did you think that this gorge was worth the drive? Via Michelian works much better than mappy.

Thanks Coco for the links

Thanks Images2, I also wanted to see the Millau Bridge...which it says is 4 1/2 hours away! I might have to find a closer gorge.

We really just want a nice ride with beautiful scenery on the way down to Toulouse.

The Gorges du Tarn are definitely NOT on the way between Beynac and Toulouse. If you want to see gorges-like scenery, I'd suggest you go by way of Figeac and St-Cirq-Lapopie, then wind your way back to Toulouse from there.

It looks to me like Tarn Gorges are considerably out of the way.
Here is a link to the Aveyron Gorges which I think is doable on your route.
http://www.chambres-hotes-sud.com/gorges_aveyron_en.php
Also http://www.saintantoninnobleval.com/Region.html
looks to be about an hour or so out of Toulouse.

What about the one NE of Avignon with the aquaduct over it?

Hi S,

>Ira, did you think that this gorge was worth the drive?

Absolutely.

>The Gorges du Tarn are definitely NOT on the way between Beynac and Toulouse.

Direct Route 2:17 hr

Via Figeac and SCLP 4:43

Via St Chely du Tarn, Millau and Albi 08:25

I would certainly go out of my way again to see the Gorges du Tarn.

((I))

PS,

That was meant with all due respect to St. Cirq (who knows much, much more about the region than I) and Grimmy.

((I))

Well, ira, that's considerably out of the way!

And "the one NE of Avignon with the aqueduct over it" - I assume you mean the Pont du Gard? Also way, way out of the way.

From Beynac to Toulouse is a straight shot south, drivable in about 2- 2.5 hours. The only areas I know of where you can see anything resembling a gorge is around St.-Cirq-Lapopie, or you could get off at Caussade and go a bit east to St-Atonin-Noble-Val, and Bruniquel. There are gorgey parts of the Aveyron in this area.

OK, this gives me some food for thought. I just need to get to Toulouse in the late afternoon to hook up with friends.
Thanks St Cirq, I'll check out the route from Figeac to St-Cirq-Lapopie although I think that I was going to try to go there from Beynac on a day trip.'
grimmy: have you been to this gorge? Thanks for the link.
Ira: thanks for the time schedule, 2+ hours is certainly doable, I'll check it out, thanks again for all input on so many threads.

You are welcome, S.

susanna, We drove through the area of the Gorge de l'Aveyron while staying near Toulouse. We stopped in both Bruniquel and St. Antonin-Noble Val, the latter was added after watching the film, Charlotte Gray. I decided the Gorge du Tarn was just too much of a drive for a daytrip but Aveyron

ugh, Monday fumbles, pushed the wrong key ;;) Aveyron gave us a lovely drive with some terrific photos. Have a great trip. Deborah