I will be driving from rodez to la malene next month and suffer from vertigo! What are the roads like and are there any that should be avoided for sufferers like me. All advice would be greatly appreciated

The road at the bottom of the gorge is narrow with lots of curves, but not very high above the river. The roads into the gorge are steep, with drop offs. They didn't bother me, but I can't say how they will effect you. Very beautiful area. We spent the night in La Malene which looks like a picture post card. Close your eyes and go for it! You can read about it here.

http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/triprepor...59&index=0

Or you can ogle the Gorge from the new Millau Viaduct that soars above it hundreds of feet and has special turnoffs to peer into the gorge. Bridge is near Millau, a sweet regional town far below the bridge.

I hope i have the right gorge!

Hi J,

We have been there. The Gorges are gorgeous.

The part of the road that is down by the river is no problem.

However, if you are coming in on the D995, you will have a very steep and tortuous road to navigate with views directly down into the valleys.

I avoided this route, because my wife suffers from vertigo.

I think that the least stressful route for you would be to leave the D995 at Le Massegros and take the D32 N to where it meets the D43 near Le Domal. Follow the D43 S to La Malene.

You can follow the route at www.map.google.com.

Enjoy your visit.

Hey PQ,

You are suggesting that someone who suffers from vertigo go up on the Millau bridge?

Do you offer Hindu's meat, too?

Oops faux pas - good point - lost sight of OP's problem and thought OP wanted to see gorge but scared to drive thru it - bridge could be worse, yeh! - just drive over the bridge and don't stop? Some bridges in US have professional drivers that take the wheel whilst driver closes their eyes.

Hi PQ,

My LW, who has vertigo, was OK with the bridge from a distance of several miles, but as we go closer to it, the very thought of being up there scared her.

dgassa

Do you mind sharing with us the name of your B&B in Albas, France?

s

Swagman,

Here's a link to the B&B, Del'Ayre. It's in French but you can find more info by doing a google search on the B&B name and La Malene.

http://www.chambres-gorgesdutarn.com...lozerepag.html

You can check out our trip report here:

http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/triprepor...59&index=0

Swagman,

Sorry, about that, I thought you meant the B&B in La Malene. The B&B in Albas was named, La Carreire and can be found at this link. There are links to many of the places we stayed on the last page of my trip report.

http://www.lotfrance.com/

Thanks for the links.

How many days/nights would you dedicate to visit the Gorges du Tarn?

s

I suffer from mild vertigo at times and though some of the roads in the Gorges du Tarn scared the bejeezus out of me last year, I have to say that this year I didn't really have that problem. But then again, we stay at a gite in the mountains near St. Germaine de Calberte, Mas de Lou Albeihs.


And also, once you are on the bridge...it is not scary at all. We did the drive over this year and I was quite suprised given all the posts I've read here about other people's fear of driving over the bridge.


And in answer to swagman's question about how long to stay...it depends on how much time you have and how much you want to see.

Last year we stayed 2 nights and and had planned to stay 4 this year, but because of a mixup on our end with reservations, we only stayed for 2 nights.

Next year, I know we plan to stay at least 4 nights.

Swagman,

We only spent two days, one night. We were on the way to Albas and just passing through. More time would have been nice, perhaps one more day.

I love that bridge and snapped a few pictures and we intend to drive across it in September when we overnight in Albi

How will be the drive from Avignon to St Malene through the gorges. Are the roads very steep any other alternate roads available for less stressful driving.

Any insight would be very helpful.

There are no alternate routes. Do you have a good map? It will show that there is only one route around the Gorges. If you're easily panicked by heights and twisting roads, well, bon courage!

If you are concerned go to http://youtube.com
and use Gorges du Tarn as your search term... you will find dozens of videos to see what it's like. The roads are not terribly steep... pretty flat through the gorge really, but there are some drops and there are plenty of bends.

Or go to http://maps.google.com and type in "La Malene, france" ... zoom in a bit then drag the little yellow figure onto the road on the map... you're now in Streetview mode and by using your cursor can literally 'drive' along the road and see for yourself.

I enjoyed our drive so much I'd love to return and spend more than the all to short parital day
it took to drive from Aguessac to Ste Enimie.

Rob

thanks, Rob. It was very helpful. Can a day trip from Avignon to St Enimmie possible.

According to Via Michelin it's a little over three hours from Avignon to La Malene which is only a few miles west of Sainte-Enimie.

Cali4nia

I can recommend that you do an overnight trip to the Gorge. It is too far as a day trip and to wake up in the Gorge is an amazing experience.

La Malene is more tranquil but Sainte Enimie has a wider choice of accommodation and dining options.

Be sure to do the canoe downstream. If not, take the flat-bottom boat ride, it leaves from La Malene and try to be on the first couple of departures when the Tarn is still relatively inactive, from memory, 1st departure is at 8.30am. The information hut is right at the car park next to the stone bridge.

s