En route on the N102 between Haute-Loire and Drôme via the Ardèche: presentation, route, stages and map.
The N102 trunk road?
Route nationale 102 (abbreviated to N102) is a major French road linking the Margeride region of Lozère, the Haute-Loire and the Allier valley to the Ardèche. It crosses a varied landscape between the Massif Central and south-eastern France.
Approximately 145 kilometres long, this route plays a key role in linking Clermont-Ferrand to the major routes in the south of France, towards the Rhône Valley and Occitanie. This route, marked by its history and strategic function, combines practical utility with tourist appeal.
Layout and geography
The N102 trunk road starts at Lempdes-sur-Allagnon with the A75 junction and then continues towards Brioude, in the Haute-Loire, where it crosses the RN 88, another major route linking Lyon to Toulouse. It then crosses several Massif Central countries before gradually descending towards the Rhône valley as far as Montélimar.
The main stages of the route include
- Lempdes-sur-Allagnon
Starting point to the north of the RN102 and link with theA75 motorway.
- Brioude
The first town on the RN102 in the Haute-Loire, Brioude is close to the Allier river, with its gorges and the Naussac dam nearby.
- Lanarce
The road passes through this village on the Ardèche plateau, with its many food shops (bakery, grocery, delicatessen, cheese shop, etc.) as well as a café, restaurant and hotel.
- Astet
From the Col de la Chavade, at an altitude of 1,266 metres, to the village below in the upper valley of the River Ardèche.
- Mayres
Village with a few shops, where the road crosses a bridge and changes banks on the Ardèche.
- Thueyts
The first market town before Aubenas, with several shops, cafés, restaurants, a garage, a police station and an ATM.
- Aubenas
The main town in southern Ardèche, Aubenas is a crossroads between the 4 cardinal points, with the D104 departmental road between Privas and Alès.
- Montélimar
After a descent along the Escoutay valley to Le Teil, the RN 102 ends at Montélimar in the Drôme, on the other side of the Rhône river.
Maps of the N102
Monitoring and mapping of the N102 trunk road, which crosses the N88.
Interactive maps
To explore, a map with adjustable backgrounds according to your needs, with the RN102 in red and the N88 in blue:
With GoogleMaps, the interactive map of the route of the N102 trunk road:
Road maps, itineraries
Where to stay along the N102?
Looking for a hotel or accommodation close to Route Nationale 102? Here are a few suggestions between the A75 and Montélimar via the Ardèche :
See the map in full screen
And to widen your search, here are other solutions with direct access to hotel chains and booking platforms to find where to sleep along your route on the RN102 and France :
All aboard!
Online services and practical information to help you plan your next trip to France.
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