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motorway aires: 16

motorway aires[1]
the other motorway
of the two seas
- the A64 and A61

featuring Hastingues, Poey de Lascar,
Pic du Midi, Pyrénées,
Ayguesvives, Renneville, Port Lauragais,
Carcassonne, Pech Loubat aires

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clickable areas in pink or orange change to a hand icon

the other autoroute des deux mers

Our featured motorway system stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, and should be called the Motorway of the Two Seas -l’Autoroute des Deux Mers. However, that title is given to the A62 motorway that runs from Bordeaux to Toulouse and the A61 from Toulouse to Narbonne. These motorways run closely alongside the long Canal that also connects these two seas, the Canal du Midi.

The motorways featured in this page, which also extend from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, are the Pyrenean Autoroute, the A64, from Bayonne in the west to Toulouse and the A61 from Toulouse to Narbonne on the Med.

Both these motorways have several notable aires worth visiting, while Toulouse is home to a scientific theme park - the Cité de l’espace - Space City.

Note that as you approach Toulouse, there is increasing air pollution, both from the weight of traffic and from local heavy industry. It is often better to keep your windows closed, and even close off your car’s air circulation from the exterior.

featured aires

Click on the yellow links to see the full page for each aire.

Hastingues

This large open aire with a service station features the pilgrims’ route to Santiago de Compostelle in north western Spain, which close by is a well preserved bastide, or fortified town.

Poey de Lascar

Travelling on the long A64 in south west France need not be boring. Stop at a wildflower haven and relax awhile.

Pic du Midi - observing space clearly

This is a vast aire themed on astronomy and the international Observatory, less than 50 km away by road and over 2000 metres higher, at the top of the Pic du Midi. There are many astronomical installations, a film show and a cafeteria, as well as views over one of the more impressive parts of the Pyrenees mountain range.

Pyrénées

With a service station and small café and shop, this aire is dominated by an extraodinary sculpture that celebrates the greatest show in the world, the Tour de France.

Port-lauragais and two neighbouring aires
on the Canal du Midi

For a while, to the east of Toulouse, the A61 motorway runs very close to the magnificent canal that goes from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. On the southern side of the motorway are three aires worth visiting, two small and one large one with many facilities, including boat trips on the Canal itself [depending on the time of year].

Carcassonne

View from the Belvédère de la Cité aire looking towards Carcassonne.

Two aires, one in each direction of the A61 autoroute, provide panaromic views of the magnificent medieval fortified city, restored and now the most visited place in France.

Pech Loubat

In the land of the Cathars [a fervent Christian sect during the Middle Ages], this aire is veritable wild flower park with a dramatic view towards the nearby Mediterranean Sea, observed by three silent watchers - giant Cathar knights surveilling their lands.

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end notes

1. aire: in this context, an area —
   aire de loisirs: recreation area;
   aire de pique-nique: picnic area;
   aire de repos: rest area;
   aire de services: services , motorway (GB) or freeway (US) service station.
   

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v1.0

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