A71 Motorway: Route, Tolls and Rest Areas

Planning to take the A71 motorway soon? Wondering which cities it serves, where the rest areas are, and how to avoid queues at the tolls? Find all the essential information you need for a smooth and optimised motorway journey with Bip&Go.

What Is the Full Route of the A71 Motorway?

The A71 motorway stretches from Orléans to Clermont-Ferrand over 290 km. Crossing the heart of France, it links the Auvergne region to the Paris Basin. As a key part of the French motorway network, it’s a central route connecting the northern motorways with the centre and south of the country.

It runs through the Loire Valley and serves several major towns such as Vierzon, Bourges, and Montluçon. The route crosses many departments, including Loiret, Cher, Allier and Puy-de-Dôme. It passes by numerous historic sites and connects to many other major motorways.

Key features include:

- A 290 km-long motorway with multiple junctions; 
- Intersections with the A85 (towards Tours and Nantes) and the A20 (towards Toulouse and Limoges) near Vierzon; 
- Connections to other major networks such as the A10, A89 and A75; 
- Often less congestion than the A7 when heading south.

What Are the Tolls on the A71 and How Can You Pay?

The A71 features several tolled sections. The tolls are operated by two motorway concession companies, APRR and Vinci Autoroutes. They are responsible for maintaining the road surface and ensuring the quality of motorway services. These operators also oversee safety and the smooth running of the infrastructure.

Main Tolls on the A71:

The main tolls on the A71, travelling from Orléans to Clermont-Ferrand, are as follows:

- Orléans-Centre toll (at the start of the A71); 
- Salbris toll; 
- Vierzon toll; 
- Bourges toll; 
- Saint-Amand-Montrond toll; 
- Forêt de Tronçais toll; 
- Montluçon toll; 
- Montmarault toll; 
- Gannat toll (on the A719, a branch of the A71); 
- Riom toll; 
- Gerzat toll (also known as Clermont-Barrière).

These tolls are spread along the A71 and managed by different concessionaires, including Cofiroute (Vinci) and APRR. They fund the maintenance and operation of the motorway.

There’s a simple solution to save time at tolls: the electronic toll badge. With Bip&Go, you no longer need to stop at every exit—you drive through the toll lanes at 30 km/h. True freedom, especially during busy periods. 
The Bip&Go badge offers many benefits, such as:

- Significant time savings on the motorway (smooth entry, exit and toll passage); 
- Automatic, contactless payment, even on free-flow motorways; 
- Compatible with 1,000 car parks in four European countries; 
- Journey tracking via the mobile app. 

 

What Are the Best Rest Areas Along the A71?

You’ll find plenty of well-equipped motorway rest areas along the A71. They offer comfortable and varied stops, ideal for a hassle-free motorway journey. 
For example:

- Volcans d’Auvergne rest area; 
- Centre de la France – Farges-Allichamps rest area; 
- Bourges Sainte-Thorette rest area; 
- Bois du Télégraphe rest area.

These major service areas provide fuel stations, electric vehicle charging stations and toilets. But that’s not all! 
Recent rest area developments are designed to maximise comfort and services for travellers. 
Now available:

- Motorway restaurants; 
- Rest area shops; 
- Children’s play areas; 
- Free Wi-Fi; 
- Rest areas; 
- Facilities for motorhomes; 
- Picnic spots.

These motorway parking areas are clearly signposted by service area signs visible from a distance along the route.

What are the Benefits of the Bip&Go App for Your A71 Journey?

The Bip&Go motorway app makes planning your journey easy. It brings together all the useful information for your route, including toll prices, locations of charging and fuel stations in your direction of travel. It even shows you the carpool areas. Once your route is planned, you can drive with peace of mind while staying informed! 
Whether you use the A71 for work or leisure, motorway radio keeps you updated. For accident alerts, real-time traffic updates, lane closures or driving advice, radio 107.7 helps keep you safe.

Want to travel the A71 with complete peace of mind? Choose Bip&Go for a seamless and comfortable experience on the A71 motorway. Skip the queues at tolls, enjoy modern rest areas, and stay informed at all times. Activate your Bip&Go badge today and discover a new way to travel—stress-free and hassle-free.