Paris to Montpellier
 

We will be picking up a car at CDG in Paris and would like to know the best route to take to reach Amboise to visit the chateaus in the area and then on to Montpellier. Thanks for your help.

Take the A10 Orl&eacute;ans/Tours from Paris, making sure you don't branch off on the A11 to Le Mans or later the A71/E9 to Clermont-Ferrand. Keep on the A10 at Orl&eacute;ans for Tours. Amboise is the next exit after Blois (D31).<BR>To go on to Montpellier, it is such a long drive, either split is up or go on the Autoroute as quickly as possible. Go on the D76 to Vierzon and take E11/A71 passed Clermont-Ferrand until the end of the autoroute. Keep on the D9 past Millau into Montpellier.<BR>The autoroutes are toll roads and can be quite espensive. The drivers are crazy in Montpellier! Please make the effort to visit Saint Guilhem le Desert whilst in the Montpellier vicinity, and take a walking tour of Montpellier. Also, pay a visit to the restaurant Maison d'lozere (I think that's right).<BR>Alternatively, Air France from Paris CDG to Montpellier is reasonably cheap!

Hi<BR><BR>Just a few points.<BR><BR>There is a newly opened section of motorway Vierzon towards Blois for about 20kms ........ it saves a lot of time.<BR><BR>After Clermond Ferrand the new Autoroute A75 continues to just short of Montpellier ( dedicated website at : http://www.a75.com ). It is very scenic, quiet and toll free. The only unfinished part is the major bridge at Millau, which can have delays at peak times. Reckon about 650 km Amboise to Montpellier. Allow 6 hrs minimum. About 25kms after CF, there is a Carrefour hypermarket adjacent to an autoroute junction (well signed on the right)........... worth stopping at for cheap fuel.<BR><BR>I live nearby and haven't noticed Montpellier traffic to be &quot;crazy&quot;, particularly after you've driven in Paris !<BR><BR>I second Maison de Lozere. The set lunch menu is particularly good value. Something cheaper is L'Entrecote off La Comedie (to the side of Monoprix).<BR><BR>Cheapest flights from Paris to Languedoc are probably with Air Littoral to Nimes.<BR><BR>Regards<BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Thank you for all your helpful advice. Any additional suggestions on accommodation/restaurants would be greatly appreciated. We will be travelling late October so hopefully will be fairly quiet.

Some of the older hotels in town are a little run down. There are some chain hotels in the Antigone area of the city. The Mercure is fine and with reasonable rates. The Astron is an appartment hotel. The rooms have microwave, sink and eating area as well as a sofa. There are separate bedrooms. The Sofitel nearer the centre is probably the best hotel in the city. They tell me the Holiday Inn is good, but I have not used it.<BR>Sorry for offending the drivers Peter. I didn't say the traffic was crazy, just the drivers! But you are right, it is nowhere nearly as chaotic as Paris. You are so lucky living in this region. It is much quieter than Provence. I travel there a lot as I do business with a local company (ABX). A quick question for you if I may? Is it worth venturing over to Nimes next time?<BR>Oh and by the way, I like the Brazerie du Theatre just off the Comedie also.

Hi<BR><BR>I prefer Montpellier, but Nimes has much of interest. The medieval city and Roman remains are worth a visit. The arena is in good condition and still used for conferences, sports events and concerts (David Bowie did a concert there last year).<BR><BR>Thursday nights in summer, the town comes alive. There are three separate markets through the medieval streets. The nice part is that it is also &quot;music night&quot;. About 6 different groups of musicians move through the city stopping to play at various squares. <BR>A long outdoor restaurant meal in one of the squares is perhaps the best vantage point. <BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR><BR>

We have booked accommodation in the small village of Montagnac near Montpellier - has anyone ever visited this village and know anything about it?<BR><BR>Thanks for any info you can provide.<BR>

Hi<BR><BR>Take care in your searches. Quite a few different Montagnacs are listed !<BR>&quot;Your&quot; Montagnac is 40km NW of Montpellier.<BR>The tourist site looks interesting : http://www.ot-herault.com/montagnac.html<BR><BR>I haven't been to this village - I live E of Montpellier - but you will be well situated to visit Languedoc. <BR><BR>Bonne chance<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR>

I suggest that you go to the Loire via Chartres and visit the cathedral. You'll be in Amboise the same day if you leave CDG fairly early. From Amboise, I would go eastward, to see Blois and Chambord and then go south toward Cahors. Possibly see Albi and Carcassonne on the way to Montpellier. I would avoid the autoroute whenever possible, and try to enjoy the countryside.