Used to argue with my Hungarian driver on best route to Barcelona,some go over the viaduct at “Millau”,great scenery etc,some go Bordeaux to Toulouse/Perpignon/Jonquara,with toll and motorway all the way,as national parallel to the motorway is mostly weight limit,and coming on and off national more times than a whores nickers,plus wastes transit time.Would there be at least 3 ways to go.One route has a toll free motorway,or jazzed up dual carriegeway.Not keen on “Millau” viaduct if heavy,a days driving dissappears,slogging up and down the steep gradients.
What about Toulouse to near Andorra and then down. I think trucks can go that way but not sure.,
If coming from Calais, i go Rouen ,Evereux, dreux, Chartes, Oleans, Vierzon, Limoges, Toulose, Narbonne , then over at jonquera. But some people go Reims , Leon, and round that way, as well as the way you said via Millau. I would not go via Bordeaux, too far over, would not go via Andora, maybe this time of year but not winter, but a little bit up and down for heavy traffic. I find all the routes pretty much of a muchness but i like the route i decribed, as there are still some good stopping places
I go via Millau because I prefer the drive and the scenery.
gosh in the good days when we did lots of work for sony (bridgend to barcelona) from Le havre we used to go down heavy about 37t but come back with empty packaging and it would take ±15hours driving factory to boat which ever way you went
if going Millau when the motorway way ended at the airfield we always got a tug from customs there and youd wind your way down the valley into town and look up at the start of um building the pillars for the viaduct and think are they really gonna put a road up there?
only been over it once sinse it opened they did put a road in the sky 
The millau route ok if not too heavy, well if not in a 610 or whatever… Not that many places to stop and the services tend to service both North & south, so they fill up quickly.It used to be quiet, before the bridge was built.
I used to go Paris, Lyon, back in the 80’s but only because the boss told me to.
calais—>rouen…>le mans…>tours…>chateauroux(A20)…>toulouse…>narbonne…>perpignan …jonquerra
i think is about the fastest route having also done the reims lyon montpellier routa as well, never done the milou bridge as boss would of probably deducted it from my wages,lol he was a screwge (spelling lol)
tommy t:
calais—>rouen…>le mans…>tours…>chateauroux(A20)…>toulouse…>narbonne…>perpignan …jonquerrai think is about the fastest route having also done the reims lyon montpellier routa as well, never done the milou bridge as boss would of probably deducted it from my wages,lol he was a screwge (spelling lol)
Unless it has changed since I was last down there, going via Millau is the cheapest option. I can’t remember what the toll is, but it’s not much, 16 euros ISTR, and a lot of the motorway either side is toll-free.
Here’s some footage I shot of the approach to Millau Viaduct on my way to Barcelona in 2007, it certainly is a beautiful piece of engineering…
Yeah ,the Brits certainly know how to design bridges !
harry:
Yeah ,the Brits certainly know how to design bridges !
True, it was designed by Norman Foster. Or rather, Norman Foster’s computer. 
If it had been designed by the prince of wales It would have been a solid brickbuilt hump back that we all could be proud of!!
Harry Monk:
harry:
Yeah ,the Brits certainly know how to design bridges !True, it was designed by Norman Foster. Or rather, Norman Foster’s computer.
Been over it twice and it is certainly impressive, especially the approach going south.
Last time I was in Millau I did a collection for Casablanca ; no bridge in them days .
squarepeg:
Been over it twice and it is certainly impressive, especially the approach going south.
The landscaping on the Southern approach is entirely artificial and is designed to make the viaduct keep appearing, then disappearing from view, for heightened dramatic effect.
The French may have their faults, but their transport system, both road and rail, makes us look like a third world country. Even the tiniest roadside verge seems to be immaculately manicured, and everywhere I go they are either building a new autoroute or a new 180mph railway.
I do miss going through the town of Millau though, there was a supermarket on the right with parking opposite and I often used to stock up with lovely smelly cheeses there…
Harry Monk:
squarepeg:
Been over it twice and it is certainly impressive, especially the approach going south.The landscaping on the Southern approach is entirely artificial and is designed to make the viaduct keep appearing, then disappearing from view, for heightened dramatic effect.
Never knew that, it certainly has the desired effect.
Harry Monk:
The French may have their faults, but their transport system, both road and rail, makes us look like a third world country. Even the tiniest roadside verge seems to be immaculately manicured, and everywhere I go they are either building a new autoroute or a new 180mph railway.
Agreed and Spain is not far behind, while we are standing still.
Harry Monk:
I do miss going through the town of Millau though, there was a supermarket on the right with parking opposite and I often used to stock up with lovely smelly cheeses there…
Bet the good citizens of Millau don’t miss the traffic though, especially the long jams during the summer months.
I live in France now ( retired ) and do the run from Perpignan to Calais several times a year in my camper, this still allows me to play at trucking or so the wife says. If you are heavy the Millau route is a pain with all the hills and the steep and twisty bit round Pezenas it is not all toll free and the service areas are generally not great. The route via Toulouse and Narbonne is easier and toll free as far as Brive except for the bit between Orleans and Vierzon . The total distance is about 30miles longer via Toulouse , there are more service areas and in my opinion it is a nicer drive. Also when you cross the border at La Jonquera it is possible to get quite a lot of the way to Barca on national road which runs almost alongside the motorway, A lot of trucks do that as Spanish motorways are expensive. I dont post here often but log on every day just to stay in touch.
Tom,
Toujours a Vacances !
Ive just round tripped Barcelona, left Suffolk Monday evening, arrived in Barcelona FC Nou Camp Wednesday 5pm, got on 10am boat this morning in Calais, i went Paris Clermont Millau both ways, dont know the cost cos we got the boxes. Now in Birmingham having a 11hr break, then home in morning…