motorway aires: 16 |
motorway aires[1]
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new! Cathedrale Saint-Gatien at Tours updated: Romanesque churches and cathedrals in south-west France the perpendicular or English style of cathedral the fire at the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris Stone tracery in church and
cathedral construction stained glass and cathedrals in Normandy fortified churches, mostly in Les Landes cathedral labyrinths and mazes in France Germans in France on first arriving in France - driving Transbordeur bridges in France and the world 2: focus on Portugalete, Chicago,
Rochefort-Martrou France’s western isles: Ile de Ré Ile de France, Paris: in the context of Abelard and of French cathedrals Marianne - a French national symbol, with French definitive stamps la Belle Epoque
Pic du Midi - observing stars clearly, A64 Futuroscope the French umbrella & Aurillac 50 years old:
Citroën DS the forest as seen by Francois Mauriac, and today bastide towns
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the other autoroute des deux mersOur 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 airesClick on the yellow links to see the full page for each aire. 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. 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.
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 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].
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. 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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