Getting to and moving around in the Tarn and Aveyron

Automatic translation

To come on holiday in the Tarn, Aveyron and Tarn et Garonne, you can take the major transport routes, then rent a vehicle or use the public transport networks to get around the towns on the outskirts. This large territory is predominantly rural, so it may be easier to come and get around by car (or bike for the brave), if you are planning a vacation in the countryside.

We have detailed all the means of transport by department, to allow you to make the best choice to come to Tarn, Aveyron and Tarn et Garonne.

How to get to the beautiful and numerous perched villages?

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Access by public transport, plane, train, bus

Come by plane

To come to the Tarn-et-Garonne by plane, you can take flights serving Toulouse Blagnac airport. This is only 35 minutes from Montauban.

• There is also an airport in Agen (fr), with several regular flights to and from Paris and other major cities in France.
• To come to the Tarn department by plane, you can, from Paris, take a line to the small airport of Castres Mazamet (fr).
• To come to Aveyron by plane, you can use Rodez airport, which provides flights to Paris, Brussels and other European cities. Check the airport's website.

Come by train

To come to the Tarn et Garonne by train, it is possible to take the TGV Paris Bordeaux Toulouse line, which stops, depending on the train, at Montauban. Practice ! You can also consult the lines that serve the town of Caussade and other small local stations, on the TER d'Occitanie website (fr).

• To come to the Tarn by train, about fifteen stations are at your disposal, in Albi of course but also in Gaillac, Cordes-sur-ciel, Carmaux... Check the timetables and do not hesitate to look on the site of Oui SNCF (fr) to do good business.
• To come to Aveyron by train, there are 3 main stations in the department: Millau, Rodez and Villefranche de Rouergue. Other small local stations make inter connections, but be careful because they are not frequent.

Coming and getting around by bus

To travel by bus in the Tarn, a website exists, powered by the Regional Transport Network, Tarn Bus: www.lio.laregion.fr (fr) You will find regular lines, lines to move from town to town and to inside large cities.

• To travel by bus in Aveyron, the Departmental Council has set up a dedicated section of its site (fr), with timetables and routes, long distance and regular lines.

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Getting around by car, by bike

The simplest means of transport to access the towns and villages of these rural departments, however, remains the car.

The main roads of the Tarn et Garonne are the A20 motorway from Paris. The A62 motorway arrives from Bordeaux and goes towards Toulouse. Several departmental run in the four corners of the department and around Montauban and Valence d'Agen.

The main road axes of the Tarn are the A68 motorway, which arrives from Toulouse and turns into the national 88 near Albi. Castres and Albi are the two main road junctions and then branch off towards the many departmental roads in the sector.

To come using the main roads in Aveyron, you will take the only motorway in the department, the Méridienne A75, which crosses it to the east from Béziers to Clermont-Ferrand and passes by the majestic Millau Viaduct. National 88, comes from Albi, crossing the department to Rodez to then join the A75. The departmental ones are organized around Villefranche-de-Rouergue to the west, Rodez and Millau to the east.

The small roads of the Tarn Aveyron

In these 3 departments, the main roads are departmental and many municipal roads, generally in good condition, to travel between towns and tourist villages. You will enjoy smooth traffic and roads beautifully bordered by nature and the mountains in the high altitude regions.

Regarding electric cars, be aware that a network of terminals is available in Tarn, Aveyron and Tarn-et-Garonne. It is increasingly easy to get around, many hotels, lodges and campsites offer terminals to their customers. Consult the Charge Map (fr).

Carpooling services (with areas near highways and public transport), car-sharing and vehicle rental between individuals exist, consult the dedicated websites. However, it is not the most reliable means of transport to go on vacation, perhaps reserve these services for occasional trips once you arrive.

By bike in the Tarn Aveyron

You can arrive in the Tarn Aveyron by bike, from the existing greenways and specialized routes (fr). The small roads of this department are little frequented.

In Tarn-et-Garonne, there are two main routes for cycling: the greenway of the Canal des Deux Mers and the Véloroute des Gorges de l'Aveyron. both are furnished and secure.

Are you coming by car and want to cycle? You can easily rent a bike on site and even rent a trailer or a cart to attach to your mount, to pull your belongings and young children! It's great on the canals, where the road is flat and lined with trees. For the less sporty, don't be discouraged and still enjoy 2 wheels by renting an electric bike!

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Travel on foot, on horseback

Some of you may be on a pilgrimage and walking the routes to Santiago de Compostela.

In the Tarn et Garonne, pass the Puy-en-Velay road, otherwise known as the GR65 or the Via Podiensis. It goes through Lauzerte, Moissac and Auvillar.

In the Tarn, you are spoiled, two main routes to Santiago de Compostela pass through the department: La Voie d'Arles (or Via Tolosana, 115km in the Tarn, Montagne Noire, Castres, Sidobre...) and the Voie du Puy (a variant of the Via Podiensis, which passes through Cordes-sur-Ciel, Gaillac...).

Compostela in the Tarn Aveyron, here in Cordes-sur-Ciel

In Aveyron, 2 sections of the GR65, the Via Podiensis, cross the department from east to west. Espalion, Estaing, Conques, Decazeville over a hundred kilometres, it's a very beautiful road to take, rich in history and breathtaking urban and natural heritage.

The Tarn l'Aveyron and the Tarn et Garonne are departments very favorable to equestrian tourism. Equestrian centers are present almost everywhere, you can go horseback riding for a day or more, depending on your level.

• In Tarn, the Departmental Committee for Equestrian Tourism has set up a site dedicated to riders (fr).
  
• There is also a site for Aveyron (fr).
  

Priority to the sheep!