Places to stop between Beziers and Clermont-Ferrand

I guess a few people here have done this journey at some point. I'm considering doing it over a few days. Any suggestions for especially picturesque towns, etc., suitable for an overnight stop?

Thanks.

endecotp said:

I guess a few people here have done this journey at some point. I'm considering doing it over a few days. Any suggestions for especially picturesque towns, etc., suitable for an overnight stop?

Thanks.

Click to expand...

St. Flour is a pleasant hilltop town with cathedral - the station is in the valley of course! It is only served by the through 'IC' service in each direction, however.

St. Chely has more trains but it has the steel works - haven't visited to comment.

Millau is nothing to write home about, but maybe my memory is clouded by a grotty hotel I had to endure there some years ago!

Sir Felix Pole said:

Millau is nothing to write home about, but maybe my memory is clouded by a grotty hotel I had to endure there some years ago!

Click to expand...

I think I stayed in that hotel! Millau is fairly unremarkable, it is true, but does have the fabulous road viaduct a short way to the south, designed by Norman Foster, and discussed in this thread.

We took couchettes to Lioran about 30 years ago to start a walking tour around the Cantal hills/mountains. It was a really good holiday staying in small Logis de France places and some gites d'etape (a dormitory over the municipal campsite.) We ended up at Aurillac which was a very nice small town but the museum was closed for the holidays... A nice chap took pity on us and gave us a private/ personal tour of the cheese-making department in the agricultural school next door!
We came out via Beziers - but the Eiffel-built railway viaduct (not the new Millau road one) isn't really visible from the train, of course!

Millau is fine for an overnight or as a base. I remember from 20:years back narrow streets and arcades.
Marvejols looked nice when we drove past (following Toutes Directions!) and St Flour is a definite with splendid views - you'd want a taxi on arrival though.

Ten years ago in June we took the train from Paris to Carcassonne and stayed for a few nights. Then we picked up a hire car and drove back to Auxerre stopping at various places en route, where we dropped the car and took the train back to Paris.

Highlights en route - don't know of any of these are doable by train - the Foster designed Millau viaduct, the castle they are building at Guedelon using 13th century methods, the volcanic scenery Puy de Dome just outside Clermont-Ferrand (the dining experience Cuisine Degustation at Hotel Radio never to be forgotten) and views of Eiffel's Garabit rail viaduct. Would like to ride over that on a train.

We arrived in Auxerre mid afternoon and dropped the car and only had the rest of the day to explore before leaving next morning by train for Paris but have always wished we'd stayed two nights so we could have explored Auxerre more.

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I'll let you know what I eventually do.