Route Nationale 9
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The Route nationale 9, or ''RN 9'', is a
route nationale A ''route nationale'', or simply ''nationale'', is a class of trunk road in France. They are important roads of national significance which cross broad portions of the French territory, in contrast to departmental or communal roads which serve mo ...
in
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
between Moulins and the border with
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
across 591 kilometres.


Reclassification

Much of the N9 has now been upgraded or replaced by the
A75 autoroute The A75 is an '' autoroute'' (motorway) in France. Known also as ''la Méridienne'', it is a developmental project aiming to speed up, and reduce the cost of car travel from Paris to the south of France. Apart from the Millau Viaduct, it is fre ...
; in particular the section south of
Clermont-Ferrand Clermont-Ferrand (, , ; or simply ; ) is a city and Communes of France, commune of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions of France, region, with a population of 147,284 (2020). Its metropolitan area () had 504,157 inhabitants at the 2018 ...
to
Béziers Béziers (; ) is a city in southern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Hérault Departments of France, department in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region. Every August Béziers ho ...
. Depending on which Department the road is in, the old road is now numbered as various Route Départementale numbers: * RD 2009 in
Allier Allier ( , , ; ) is a Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regions of France, region that borders Cher (department), Cher to the west, Nièvre to the north, Saône-et-Loire and Loire (department), Loire to the east, Pu ...
and
Puy-de-Dôme Puy-de-Dôme (; or ''lo Puèi Domat'') is a department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in the centre of France. In 2021, it had a population of 662,285.Aigueperse, RD 2029 in
Riom Riom (; Auvergnat ''Riam'') is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department. History Until the French Revolution, Riom was the capital of the province of Auvergne, and the ...
, RD 2099 in south-eastern
Clermont-Ferrand Clermont-Ferrand (, , ; or simply ; ) is a city and Communes of France, commune of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions of France, region, with a population of 147,284 (2020). Its metropolitan area () had 504,157 inhabitants at the 2018 ...
) * RD 978 From Pèrignat-lès-Sarilève to exit 6 of the A75. * RD 797 From exit 6 of the A75 to Coudes. * RD 716 In
Issoire Issoire (; Auvergnat: ''Issoire'', ''Ussoire'') is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France. Geography Issoire is located on the river Couze, near its confluence with the Allier, SSE of Clermont-Ferrand on the ...
* RD 909 From Le Broc to
Lozère Lozère (; ) is a landlocked Departments of France, department in the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie in Southern France, located near the Massif Central, bounded to the northeast by Haute-Loire, to the ...
, * RD 809 In
Lozère Lozère (; ) is a landlocked Departments of France, department in the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie in Southern France, located near the Massif Central, bounded to the northeast by Haute-Loire, to the ...
and
Aveyron Aveyron (; ) is a Departments of France, department in the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Southern France. It was named after the river Aveyron (river), Aveyron. Its inhabitants are known as ''Aveyro ...
* RD 609 In
Hérault Hérault (; , ) is a departments of France, department of the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Southern France. Named after the Hérault (river), Hérault River, its Prefectures in France, prefecture is M ...
* RD 6009 In
Aude Aude ( ; ) is a Departments of France, department in Southern France, located in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region and named after the river Aude (river), Aude. The departmental council also calls it " ...
* RD 900 In
Pyrénées-Orientales Pyrénées-Orientales (; ; ; ), also known as Northern Catalonia, is a departments of France, department of the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Southern France, adjacent to the northern Spain, Spanish ...


Route Description

Moulins -
Clermont-Ferrand Clermont-Ferrand (, , ; or simply ; ) is a city and Communes of France, commune of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions of France, region, with a population of 147,284 (2020). Its metropolitan area () had 504,157 inhabitants at the 2018 ...
-
Béziers Béziers (; ) is a city in southern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Hérault Departments of France, department in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region. Every August Béziers ho ...
-
Narbonne Narbonne ( , , ; ; ; Late Latin:) is a commune in Southern France in the Occitanie region. It lies from Paris in the Aude department, of which it is a sub-prefecture. It is located about from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and was ...
-
Perpignan Perpignan (, , ; ; ) is the prefectures in France, prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales departments of France, department in Southern France, in the heart of the plain of Roussillon, at the foot of the Pyrenees a few kilometres from the Me ...
- ''
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
''


Moulins to Clermont Ferrand (0 km to 103 km)

The road begins in Moulins at a junction with the N7 on the Rue de l'Horloge. The road weaves through the city and crosses the
Allier Allier ( , , ; ) is a Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regions of France, region that borders Cher (department), Cher to the west, Nièvre to the north, Saône-et-Loire and Loire (department), Loire to the east, Pu ...
river across the Pont Régemortes. The road follows the West bank of Allier to
Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule (, literally ''Saint-Pourçain on Sioule''; Auvergnat dialect, Auvergnat: ''Sant Porçanh de Siula'') is a Communes of France, commune in the Allier Departments of France, department in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in centra ...
crossing the
Sioule The Sioule (; ) is a long river in central France, a left tributary of the river Allier. Its source is near the village of Orcival, north of Mont-Dore, in the Massif Central. The Sioule has cut a deep gorge, especially in its upper course. The ...
river and following it South. At
Gannat Gannat (; Auvergnat: ''Gatnat'') is a commune in the Allier department in central France. Gannat was a sub-prefecture until 1926, with a population of around 5,800 inhabitants. There is a castle (the Château de Gannat), two churches of whic ...
the road meets the A719, which connects
Vichy Vichy (, ; ) is a city in the central French department of Allier. Located on the Allier river, it is a major spa and resort town and during World War II was the capital of Vichy France. As of 2021, Vichy has a population of 25,789. Known f ...
, 20km to the East, and the
A71 autoroute The A71 autoroute is a motorway in central France. It is also called ''l'Arverne''. It starts at Orléans and ends at Clermont-Ferrand. History Orléans to Bourges The autoroute is 2x2 lanes and is operated by the Société Cofiroute (Orléa ...
. The N9 continues South to
Riom Riom (; Auvergnat ''Riam'') is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in Auvergne in central France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department. History Until the French Revolution, Riom was the capital of the province of Auvergne, and the ...
and the volcanic region of
Auvergne Auvergne (; ; or ) is a cultural region in central France. As of 2016 Auvergne is no longer an administrative division of France. It is generally regarded as conterminous with the land area of the historical Province of Auvergne, which was dis ...
. The road is dual-carriageway for 10km into the industrial city of
Clermont-Ferrand Clermont-Ferrand (, , ; or simply ; ) is a city and Communes of France, commune of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions of France, region, with a population of 147,284 (2020). Its metropolitan area () had 504,157 inhabitants at the 2018 ...
.


Clermont Ferrand to Béziers (103 km to 444 km)

After
Clermont-Ferrand Clermont-Ferrand (, , ; or simply ; ) is a city and Communes of France, commune of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions of France, region, with a population of 147,284 (2020). Its metropolitan area () had 504,157 inhabitants at the 2018 ...
the road heads through the Massif Central countryside. Much of the N9 has now been upgraded or replaced by the
A75 autoroute The A75 is an '' autoroute'' (motorway) in France. Known also as ''la Méridienne'', it is a developmental project aiming to speed up, and reduce the cost of car travel from Paris to the south of France. Apart from the Millau Viaduct, it is fre ...
between
Clermont-Ferrand Clermont-Ferrand (, , ; or simply ; ) is a city and Communes of France, commune of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions of France, region, with a population of 147,284 (2020). Its metropolitan area () had 504,157 inhabitants at the 2018 ...
and
Béziers Béziers (; ) is a city in southern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Hérault Departments of France, department in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region. Every August Béziers ho ...
. The original N9 has now been renumbered D909 and passes through small villages and towns bypassed by the A75 which now takes the majority of through traffic. The route follows the upper
Allier Allier ( , , ; ) is a Departments of France, department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regions of France, region that borders Cher (department), Cher to the west, Nièvre to the north, Saône-et-Loire and Loire (department), Loire to the east, Pu ...
valley to Issoire before joining the ''Gorges de l'Allagnon'' and then climbing to cross the '' Col de la Fageole'' (1114m) and onto
Saint-Flour Saint-Flour (; Auvergnat: ''Sant Flor'') is a commune in the south-central French department of Cantal, approximately 100 km south of Clermont-Ferrand. Its inhabitants are called ''Sanflorains''. Geography The upper city (''ville haut ...
and the ''Gorges de l’Ander''. The old N9 then follows the banks of the dammed river
Truyère The Truyère () is a river in south-western France, right tributary of the Lot (river), Lot. Its source is in the south-western Massif Central, north of Mende, Lozère, Mende. It flows generally west through the following ''département in France ...
under the '' Viaduc de Garabit''. The surroundings are very scenic consisting of rolling green wooded hills and steep sided river vallies, as the road is now crossing the edge of the
Aubrac Aubrac () is a volcanic and granitic plateau located in the south-central Massif Central of France. This region has been a member of the Natura 2000 network since August 2006. It straddles three ''départements'' (Cantal, Aveyron and Lozère) an ...
plateau. The road has a junction with the old N106, now D806 at
Saint-Chély-d'Apcher Saint-Chély-d'Apcher (; ) is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France. History Its inhabitants are called Barrabans. This name was allotted to the inhabitants of Saint-Chély-d'Apcher during the Hundred Years' War. In 1363, the ...
. The road then crosses the ''
Col des Issartets The Col des Issartets is a mountain pass, both a road and a motorway pass, located in the Massif Central on the Aubrac plateau, in the department of Lozère. This pass on the A75 motorway reaches an altitude of 1,123 meters (1,125 meters for th ...
'' (1121m), the highest point of the road, after which the former route of the N9 passes to the East of the autoroute passing through the small town of
Marvejols Marvejols (; ) is a commune in the southern French department of Lozère. Its inhabitants are known as ''Marvejolais''. Geography The commune is located in the Massif central. The Colagne flows southward through the middle of the commune and ...
and into the
Lot Lot, LOT, The Lot or similar may refer to: Common meanings Areas *Land lot, an area of land *Parking lot, for automobiles *Backlot, in movie production Sets of items *A great many of something, as in, "There are a lot of beetles," or "There are ...
valley. The road then enters ''
Causse The Causses () are a group of limestone plateaux (700–1,200 m) in the Massif Central. They are bordered to the north-west by the Limousin and the Périgord uplands, and to the east by the Aubrac and the Cévennes. Large river gorges cut through ...
'' country a series of barren
limestone Limestone is a type of carbonate rock, carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material Lime (material), lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different Polymorphism (materials science) ...
plateaus divided by deep river valleys. The road passes between the ''Causse de Sévérac'' and ''Causse de Sauveterre'' before reaching
Sévérac-le-Château Sévérac-le-Château (; ) is a former Communes of France, commune in the Aveyron Departments of France, department in Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, southern France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Sévé ...
and the N88 which heads to the West. The road passes the source of the
Aveyron Aveyron (; ) is a Departments of France, department in the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Southern France. It was named after the river Aveyron (river), Aveyron. Its inhabitants are known as ''Aveyro ...
and into the ''Parc Natural Régional des Grandes Causses''. After crossing the ''Col d'Engayresque'' (888m) the N9 re-appears and drops into the ''Gorges du Tarn'' and onto
Millau Millau (; ) is a commune in Occitania, France. Located at the confluence of the Tarn and Dourbie rivers, the town is a subprefecture of the Aveyron department. Millau is known for its Viaduct, glove industry and several nearby natural ...
where the road crosses the river and climbs up to the ''Causse du
Larzac Larzac (, ), also known as the Causse of Larzac (French: ''Causses, Causse du Larzac''; ), is a limestone karst plateau in the south of the Massif Central, France, situated between Millau (in the Departments of France, department of Aveyron) ...
'' offering views of the valley and viaduct. The N9 provides a free alternative for avoiding the toll on the A75 as it crosses the valley on the Viaduc de Millau. The N9 has again been replaced by the A75 for this section. At the ''Pas de l'Escalette'' just South of
Le Caylar Le Caylar (; ), also known as ''Le Caylar-en-Larzac'', is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France, in the administrative region of Occitanie. It has the Village étape label since 2013. Geography Le Caylar is situated 71& ...
the road enters a gorge leading South off the
Causse du Larzac Larzac (, ), also known as the Causse of Larzac (French: '' Causse du Larzac''; ), is a limestone karst plateau in the south of the Massif Central, France, situated between Millau (in the department of Aveyron) and Lodève (in the departme ...
and on toward the coastal plain and the
Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea ( ) is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the east by the Levant in West Asia, on the north by Anatolia in West Asia and Southern ...
. Historically, the N9 used to cross the river Lergue at Pegairolles de l'Escalette and follow what is now the treacherous D149 right through the city of
Lodève Lodève (; , ; ) is a Communes of France, commune in the Departments of France, department of Hérault, in the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, southern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, subprefe ...
. After a series of improvements starting in 1969, the road now stays on the left bank of the Lergue and bypasses
Lodève Lodève (; , ; ) is a Communes of France, commune in the Departments of France, department of Hérault, in the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, southern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, subprefe ...
. It skirts the Lac du Salagou, which it once ran right through, before reaching
Clermont l'Hérault Clermont may refer to: Places Australia * Clermont, Queensland, a town in the Isaac Region Belgium * Clermont-sur-Berwinne, a town in Wallonia Canada * Clermont, Prince Edward Island * Clermont, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Quebec * Clermont, C ...
and a junction with the N109 to
Montpellier Montpellier (; ) is a city in southern France near the Mediterranean Sea. One of the largest urban centres in the region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Montpellier is the prefecture of the Departments of France, department of ...
. The N9 demerges from the
A75 autoroute The A75 is an '' autoroute'' (motorway) in France. Known also as ''la Méridienne'', it is a developmental project aiming to speed up, and reduce the cost of car travel from Paris to the south of France. Apart from the Millau Viaduct, it is fre ...
again at
Clermont-l'Hérault Clermont-l'Hérault (; ) is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France. Geography Chief town of the Canton, Clermont-l'Hérault is located about 40 km west of Montpellier, halfway between the Mediterranean Sea to the south ...
, and follows the
Hérault Hérault (; , ) is a departments of France, department of the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Southern France. Named after the Hérault (river), Hérault River, its Prefectures in France, prefecture is M ...
Valley south through
Pézenas Pézenas (; Languedocien: ''Pesenàs'') is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in southern France. Name The name "Pézenas" is derived from the older name ''Piscenae'', probably from the Latin word ''piscenis'', meanin ...
. The roads run parallel to each other until just to the North-East of
Béziers Béziers (; ) is a city in southern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Hérault Departments of France, department in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region. Every August Béziers ho ...
when the A75 turns South-East to intersect the
A9 autoroute The A9 autoroute (''La Languedocienne''/''La Catalane'') is a motorway in Southern France. The road forms part of the European route E15, as does the A9 road (Scotland). The road runs between Orange and Perthus, in the Pyrénées-Orientales ...
.


Béziers to Perthus (444 km to 591 km)

After
Béziers Béziers (; ) is a city in southern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Hérault Departments of France, department in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region. Every August Béziers ho ...
the
A9 autoroute The A9 autoroute (''La Languedocienne''/''La Catalane'') is a motorway in Southern France. The road forms part of the European route E15, as does the A9 road (Scotland). The road runs between Orange and Perthus, in the Pyrénées-Orientales ...
runs parallel to the route of the N9 and takes the majority of through traffic from
Béziers Béziers (; ) is a city in southern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Hérault Departments of France, department in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region. Every August Béziers ho ...
. There the road crosses the
Canal du Midi The Canal du Midi (; ) is a long canal in Southern France (). Originally named the ''Canal Royal en Languedoc'' (Royal Canal in Languedoc) and renamed by French revolutionaries to ''Canal du Midi'' in 1789, the canal is considered one of the g ...
and river Orb and continues over the river
Aude Aude ( ; ) is a Departments of France, department in Southern France, located in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region and named after the river Aude (river), Aude. The departmental council also calls it " ...
to
Narbonne Narbonne ( , , ; ; ; Late Latin:) is a commune in Southern France in the Occitanie region. It lies from Paris in the Aude department, of which it is a sub-prefecture. It is located about from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and was ...
. The section south of Béziers is reclassified as the D6009. Thereafter the road heads along the ''Étang de Bages et de
Sigean Sigean (; ) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. It formerly laid on ''Route nationale'' 9 between Narbonne and Perpignan, but RN 9 (downgraded to ''route départementale'' 6009) now bypasses the town of Sigean and is itse ...
'' as the mountains push further East. The road is overlooked here by the ''Massif de Fontfroide'' and thereafter heads through the vineyards of
Fitou Fitou (; ) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. Population Wine Fitou has a red wine appellation; see Fitou AOC. See also * Corbières AOC * Communes of the Aude department The following is a list of the 433 Commu ...
. The road passes round the shores of the ''Étang de Leucate ou de Salses''. The road enters
Northern Catalonia Northern Catalonia, North Catalonia or French Catalonia is the Catalan language, Catalan-speaking and cultural territory ceded to France by Spain through the signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 in exchange for France's effective renu ...
at the ''
Fort de Salses The Fort de Salses (also called Forteresse de Salses) is a Catalan fortress in the '' commune'' of Salses-le-Château, situated in the French ''département'' of Pyrénées-Orientales. It is clearly visible from the A9 autoroute as well as the ...
''. The road is downgraded to D900 and passes through the plain of
Roussillon Roussillon ( , , ; , ; ) was a historical province of France that largely corresponded to the County of Roussillon and French Cerdagne, part of the County of Cerdagne of the former Principality of Catalonia. It is part of the region of ' ...
to the city of
Perpignan Perpignan (, , ; ; ) is the prefectures in France, prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales departments of France, department in Southern France, in the heart of the plain of Roussillon, at the foot of the Pyrenees a few kilometres from the Me ...
where it crosses the rivers Têt and
Tech Tech or The Tech may refer to: * An abbreviation of technology or technician A technician is a worker in a field of technology who is proficient in the relevant skill and technique, with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical ...
. The plain is dominated by the
Pyrénées The Pyrenees are a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. They extend nearly from their union with the Cantabrian Mountains to Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean coast, reaching a maximum elevation of at the peak of Aneto. F ...
to the South and the
Corbières Massif The Corbières Massif ( ; ; ) is a mountain range in the Pre-Pyrenees. It is the only true foothill of the Pyrenees on their northern side. Geography The Corbières are a mountain region in the Languedoc-Roussillon in southeastern France, loc ...
to North. It then passes
Le Boulou Le Boulou (; ) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. It is situated 12 km from the Spanish border. Geography Localisation The town of Le Boulou is located in the canton of Vallespir-Albères and in ...
where it enters the ''Monts Albères'' which form the Eastern ridge of the
Pyrénées The Pyrenees are a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. They extend nearly from their union with the Cantabrian Mountains to Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean coast, reaching a maximum elevation of at the peak of Aneto. F ...
. The road climbs to the border at
Le Perthus Le Perthus (, , ) is a Communes of France, commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales Departments of France, department in southern France. Natives of Le Perthus are called ''Perthusiens'' and, in 2021, there were 560 inhabitants. Le Perthus is also on ...
and the Col du Perthus where the road enters
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
, in the village of
Els Límits Els Límits () is a Spanish village, a civil parish of the municipality of La Jonquera, situated in the province of Girona, Catalonia, in Spain. As of 2005 its population was of 115. Its Spanish language, Spanish name is Los Límites. History T ...
. The road continues as the
N-II N-II was the former name for the National Route from Madrid to Barcelona and France. According to the new Spanish roads nomenclature, the sections which have been already enhanced and upgraded to ''autovía'' have been recently renamed to A-2, ...
in Spain.


History

The route was initially conceived by
Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
as part of the 1811 Route Impériale system as Route Impériale 10. It was defined as: "''The road between
Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...
and
Perpignan Perpignan (, , ; ; ) is the prefectures in France, prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales departments of France, department in Southern France, in the heart of the plain of Roussillon, at the foot of the Pyrenees a few kilometres from the Me ...
''". After
Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
’s downfall it was renamed to Route Royale 9. It was finally changed to Route Nationale 9 after
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
became a republic. The route has stayed the same for the most part, with minor changes and upgrades made over time. Throughout the 20th century, the N9 has built up somewhat of a negative reputation. The road was narrow, rough, and extremely accident prone due to the extensive mountain sections. Widening or upgrading the road was difficult due to the equally difficult to work with terrain. Starting in the 1960's, studies were launched in order to improve the N9 in the Massif Central. It started small, a few expressways near
Clermont-Ferrand Clermont-Ferrand (, , ; or simply ; ) is a city and Communes of France, commune of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions of France, region, with a population of 147,284 (2020). Its metropolitan area () had 504,157 inhabitants at the 2018 ...
and the
Lodève Lodève (; , ; ) is a Communes of France, commune in the Departments of France, department of Hérault, in the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, southern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, subprefe ...
bypass in the late 60's. In 1969, the treacherous section North of Lodève, now known as the D149 was bypassed. In 1978, most of the ''Pas de l'Escalette'' was reworked into dual-carriageway. Most of these sections would later end up as part of the A75. As the A75 was being built, the N9 quickly lost most of its use and was gradually downgraded as more parts of the A75 opened. In 1992, most of the section between
Clermont-Ferrand Clermont-Ferrand (, , ; or simply ; ) is a city and Communes of France, commune of France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions of France, region, with a population of 147,284 (2020). Its metropolitan area () had 504,157 inhabitants at the 2018 ...
and
Béziers Béziers (; ) is a city in southern France. It is a Subprefectures in France, subprefecture of the Hérault Departments of France, department in the Occitania (administrative region), Occitanie Regions of France, region. Every August Béziers ho ...
was downgraded, and later in 2006, almost the entire remaining section was downgraded. All that's left of the N9 today is a small section in
Massiac Massiac (; ) is a commune in the Cantal department in south-central France. Population Local history In the 17th century, Massiac was ruled by the feudal lord Gaspard d'Espinchal, a notorious murderer, kidnapper, and nobleman who was pur ...
spanning 2 kilometres.


References

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009 009 may refer to: * OO9, gauge model railways * O09, FAA identifier for Round Valley Airport * 0O9, FAA identifier for Ward Field, see List of airports in California * British secret agent 009, see 00 Agent * BA 009, see British Airways Flight ...