Romantic Overnight on long drive?

Hi
You can stay in Montpeyroux, one of the most beautiful village of France, just south of Clermont-Ferrand and close to the highway.
Further from the highway, if you want a romantic night in a luxurious and special place (rooms and small houses spread inside an old village), there is, also south of Clermont-Ferrand, the hotel des Deux Abbesses.

The Viaduct du Millau is well worth the not-direct route...I followed the construction on once it was open on my next trip to France I planned my trip to the south (usually Aude or Ariege) so I could drive over it. It is truly an architectural marvel and the way they built it in such a way that everything was restored (landscape-wise) as it was before was fantastic.
What time to you expect to arrive (with car) in France, and where? Do you want to take primarily the peage to get closer to a destination or do you want to try for the slower RN (route national)?
What sort of lodging would you prefer and let us know your budget as well, please. Any special interests (history, monuments, scenic wonders, etc) or any food interests?
One thing: You'll need to have the safety equipment up front in the passenger area: safety vest, reflector stand, etc. as you can be given a ticket which has to be paid on the spot if you don't have them.
When it comes to buying fuel, look for the stations by the large chain stores, the prices are much lower than you'd pay along the highway or as a standalone.
Once you know your routes, you could also see what supermarches are located on the route. And it's always nice to
get lunch or snacks and drinks to go at a market...(bring your own cutlery with you)...then find a nice aire to picnic in an attractive setting. There was a thread that had a link a listing of all the aires in France; I'll have to look for it. A very useful thing to print out and have (or download if you're bringing a tablet or such with you.
Time for bed here but I'll keep thinking about good routes over the Massif Central...

HI there

We have planned the route and will be booking the Eurotunnel this weekend.

I expect we will arrive in France at perhaps 10am or earlier, and will drive the Péage straight down south, but will leave the A75 before Millau and overnight. We want to drive in refreshed to experience it properly in the morning.

It would just be for 1 night, budget 80-120euro for the room with breakfast. Ideally somewhere quintessentially French - no ibis or service aire hotels. Old or new, I don't mind.

I'm not sure I understand this:
"One thing: You'll need to have the safety equipment up front in the passenger area: safety vest, reflector stand, etc. as you can be given a ticket which has to be paid on the spot if you don't have them. "

Is this in order to drive on the viaduct? Do you have a link to the requirements?

Thanks

I'm not sure I understand this:
"One thing: You'll need to have the safety equipment up front in the passenger area: safety vest, reflector stand, etc. as you can be given a ticket which has to be paid on the spot if you don't have them. "

Is this in order to drive on the viaduct? Do you have a link to the requirements?

Thanks

Don't worry about this. Nobody carries "safety equipment" in the front of their car. Over the years, certain things have become obligatory in case of accident: a reflecting vest and a red triangle. These are to ensure visibility and safety if you have to pull over on the side of the road and get out of your car.

I have yet to hear of police giving tickets for anyone not having these things, although anything is possible. Everybody was also supposed to have alcotest kits but that didn't happen when manufacturers couldn't keep up with the demand before a specific date.

So, no, not necessary for driving on the viaduct in particular, but in general on French roads. Some people have the reflector vest draped over the seat or stuck in a pocket on the back of the driver's seat.

The safety equipment is provided in rental cars but nobody is going to bother visitors with such a thing unless you are stopped for something else and turn out to be the most arrogant, uncooperative person in the world. That's the same in every country, right?

Millau itself isn't a bad town to stop for the night, but if you want a pleasant village feel, I would recommend Gramat, which has an exit on the A75.

Don't worry about this. Nobody carries "safety equipment" in the front of their car. Over the years, certain things have become obligatory in case of accident: a reflecting vest and a red triangle. These are to ensure visibility and safety if you have to pull over on the side of the road and get out of your car.

I have yet to hear of police giving tickets for anyone not having these things, although anything is possible. Everybody was also supposed to have alcotest kits but that didn't happen when manufacturers couldn't keep up with the demand before a specific date.

So, no, not necessary for driving on the viaduct in particular, but in general on French roads. Some people have the reflector vest draped over the seat or stuck in a pocket on the back of the driver's seat.

Phew! I have safety items in the boot, but it sounded like there was a 'special requirement' for passenger requirements. Which would actually be a safety issue if held in the passenger footwell!

Thanks for clarification!

The safety equipment is provided in rental cars but nobody is going to bother visitors with such a thing unless you are stopped for something else and turn out to be the most arrogant, uncooperative person in the world. That's the same in every country, right?

Millau itself isn't a bad town to stop for the night, but if you want a pleasant village feel, I would recommend Gramat, which has an exit on the A75.

Thanks - in the end booked a converted castle on the edge of Millau for our overnight stay.

Coming south the viewing area is just before the viaduct

I was wrong about Gramat anyway -- it is off the A20, not the A75!