Shite Spotting Cycle Ride Through Middle of Nowhere, France - Completed it M80

[Schaefft]

I have somehow found myself cycling through a good chunk of South/-Eastern France, starting in Le Puy today and eventually making it down to Montpellier over the next week or so.

Naturally this is a great opportunity to look at some shite in the French countryside. Starting with today (Le Puy to Saint Privat d'Allier). Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of the Phase 1 Safrane I saw in traffic today right at the start, or the Fiat X1/9.

A surprising amount of Renault 4s in the area, this guy had his priorities right:

These were all close to the same compound:

Above apparently a 324td, what else would it be in France.

Second XM, used as parts car:

Also saw a business with an Audi V8, W126 and 80s BMW 5/7 on my way down here yesterday.

A bunch of 405s (one completely overgrown) and plenty of 205s I won't even bother taking a photo of as there will be too many.

What will we spot tomorrow? Stay tuned!

[hairnet]

bicycle?

mon dieu etc

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, hairnet said:

bicycle?

mon dieu etc

Biciclette. Grand design, in first pic.

[Schaefft]

Not all that many spots today, only 19 miles through mostly deserted mountain roads and the occasional village.

However, I did spot the Renault Safrane I was waiting to find, and not only that but in the same color as the one I had before, plus possibly a V6 spec'd one, too! Similar to mine it has two different trim level badges on the doors.

Bonus points for whoever can figure out what special addition AX this is without having to look it up. I bet these wheel trims are worth a fortune to the right buyer.

[Schaefft]

Reveal since no guesses: the AX special edition you see above is a K-Way, apparently only 2500 built as 3-door. 45 mighty hp in this, too. I love it though, makes want to get an early AX in similar spec.

More spots today, I'm glad there are still a few XM in daily use:

 

[chaseracer]

Le Puy en Velay... nice place.

[hairnet]

you climbed the rock?

[Schaefft]

23 minutes ago, chaseracer said:

Le Puy en Velay... nice place.

It is indeed.

12 minutes ago, hairnet said:

you climbed the rock?

Well, several train delays meant we didn't have much time there but we did see the sights from a distance while climbing out of the valley.

In La Bastide Puylaurent now, another 29 miles completed. I think we have the worst of it behind us.

[bezzabsa]

Think the 2 tone disco had a leaky sunroof???

[Spottedlaurel]

Wonderful! Renault 12 estate and Peugeot 504 saloon particularly impressive. The AX special edition is amusing, there are so many different ones.

I see enough when we're driving around on our annual French holiday, but I imagine cycling gives that bit more opportunity to spot stuff (or at least stop safely, which isn't always possible in the car).

[motorpunk]

59 minutes ago, Schaefft said:

La Bastide 

Snigger.

[Floatylight]

Was in France last week and saw this beaut!

The brown bits were leather (I think)

 

[chaseracer]

59 minutes ago, Floatylight said:

Was in France last week and saw this beaut!

The brown bits were leather (I think)

 

Is this your first Rodeo, Steve...? 😁

[Floatylight]

8 minutes ago, chaseracer said:

Is this your first Rodeo, Steve...? 😁

I see what you did there 😬

[N Dentressangle]

La France profonde. Fantastique.

Can honestly say I've never seen an AX K-way before, so that's me learned.

Also, that Rodeo. I see your Mehari and raise you something that just slightly misses the spot. Still cool mind.

[Schaefft]

And the journey goes on. This first few images are still from La Bastide, a tiny tourist town in the valleys that seems to have its best days behind it, like so many rural villages around here.

That garage seemed to be the one of the only few businesses doing relatively well, they must have made their money from renting out a variety of old school 4x4s.

Today was mostly down hill through the valley along the Borne River, with the permanent downpour and thunder it all actually felt more like the South American jungle than France.

Still plenty of French shite around though,as well as a remarkably rust-free Sierra!

There've been old campers doted around the side of the road throughout most of the valley, most of them looked like this was their final resting place.

[hairnet]

oof

[High Jetter]

Sierra looks high on it's wheels, 4x4?

[Wibble]

10 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

Sierra looks high on it's wheels, 4x4?

Not with that engine.

[Schaefft]

9 minutes ago, Wibble said:

Not with that engine.

The tailgate is a silver replacement if you look closely.

[Wibble]

5 minutes ago, Schaefft said:

The tailgate is a silver replacement if you look closely.

Oh yes, so it is! 

[Schaefft]

More spots from 40 miles of cycling today. After the tropical scenery yesterday today's surroundings really feel like Mediterranean Southern France. There's definitely more tourists suddenly as well.

As a Legend owner I highly approve of this:

Brand new Renault 5, the first time I've seen one in person:

With the new electric Twingo coming out soon as well I really feel like the original Twingo doesn't feel all that old yet (despite being a 30+ year old design), you can still see them as regular daily drivers here, making it somewhat odd to see a modern redesign of it already.

[hairnet]

peugeots oof

[Stinkwheel]

oof to all, france is just better at tat hoarding than we are here

[lesapandre]

Just now, Stinkwheel said:

oof to all, france is just better at tat hoarding than we are here

More space, more sheds and barns and the rural French never throw anything away. 

 

[Stinkwheel]

Just now, lesapandre said:

More space, more sheds and barns and the rural French never throw anything away. 

 

exactly, perfect.

When i first lived in Wales as a nipper it was much the same, space and getting full moneys worth meant that anywhere with a space to park stuff kept all their old cars, still happens a bit (more than england) but not everyone like it used to be

[N Dentressangle]

That 304 Coupe is 😍

Not sure if I've ever seen one before. Has to worth saving, surely.

[lesapandre]

On 04/06/2025 at 14:44, Schaefft said:

And the journey goes on. This first few images are still from La Bastide, a tiny tourist town in the valleys that seems to have its best days behind it, like so many rural villages around here.

That garage seemed to be the one of the only few businesses doing relatively well, they must have made their money from renting out a variety of old school 4x4s.

Today was mostly down hill through the valley along the Borne River, with the permanent downpour and thunder it all actually felt more like the South American jungle than France.

Still plenty of French shite around though,as well as a remarkably rust-free Sierra!

There've been old campers doted around the side of the road throughout most of the valley, most of them looked like this was their final resting place.

La Bastide is featured on the route Robert Louis Stevenson took in his classic book 'Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes'

It's now part of a recognised tourism walking trail. 

Though this remains a very poor and remote part of France. Was a big centre of the counterculture in the 1970's where people sought a simpler life.

Some of that spirit remains which explains some of the campers and off-beat vehicles.

[Schaefft]

2 hours ago, N Dentressangle said:

That 304 Coupe is 😍

Not sure if I've ever seen one before. Has to worth saving, surely.

I think it's not strictly abandoned, maybe just used to attract people to the restaurant across the road.

2 hours ago, lesapandre said:

La Bastide is featured on the route Robert Louis Stevenson took in his classic book 'Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes'

It's now part of a recognised tourism walking trail. 

Though this remains a very poor and remote part of France. Was a big centre of the counterculture in the 1970's where people sought a simpler life.

Some of that spirit remains which explains some of the campers and off-beat vehicles.

It is indeed and we followed it at least for a few days. Still plenty of signs indicating the awareness of the history of the book (as well as accommodation reviews). However a region can only survive for so long on what will be an increasingly lesser known story (I certainly didn't hear of it before).

We've arrived in Beaucaire an hour ago. Mostly cycle paths today so fewer spots although the town should reveal a few good ones later. First couple still from yesterday.

I've also seen a Citroen C6, slowly completing the French 90s/2000s Executive set. I think I'm just missing a 605 and Velsatis now!

[Schaefft]

40 miles from Beaucaire to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer today, which marks the official end of the cycle tour at the Mediterranean Coast (but actually isn't). Considering that my GF's uncles (now on their 70s) started in Dieppe a few weeks ago our section from Le Puy seems like a short ride down the road in comparison. It's incredible how much of a variety of landscapes we have seen in just 7 days, not to mention all the different accommodations we actually ended up staying in (none of which we chose, which let to some interesting choices). Things continue for us towards Montpellier tomorrow though.

More shite from yesterday evening and today:

I've also finally saw a Velsatis (rare black even in facelift flavor, unfortunately in oncoming traffic) which means I'm only missing a 605 in my French exec shite bingo now.