The RN20 was downgraded from a national road to a departmental road in 2005. Since then, depending on the department it crosses, it has been designated as the D2020, D920, D820, D420, D320 or D220. Only the two final departments before the Spanish border have retained the RN20 designation. At 864 kilometres, it was one of France’s major national roads, alongside the RN7 and RN10. It linked Paris, more precisely the Porte d’Orléans in Montrouge, with Bourg-Madame on the Spanish border.
Shortly after its reclassification, I began travelling regularly along this former RN20, and I still do so today. As a result, I pass several times a year in front of the various industrial sites along the road. But for some of them, I had to be patient. Sometimes for several years, waiting until I happened to pass by with the right surroundings and the light I was looking for. I would only stop to take a photograph when all the conditions seemed right to me.
This former RN20 crosses 17 departments, from north to south, from Paris to the Spanish border. This article presents my photographs in that order, following its route. I have always enjoyed travelling along this road and observing the landscapes and regions it passes through: Beauce, Sologne, Berry, Corrèze, Lot… Each of these areas has its own distinctive countryside and character. If you would like to share your thoughts on these industrial sites along the former RN20, you can use the “Comments” section below.
It is possible to see these photos with their caption in full screen. To do this, click on one of the photos below and then on the small rectangle at the top right.
