Difference between revisions of "France"
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France is the closest foreign country to England after Wales and Scotland. It is a country that has many roads, many of which are clear of traffic and some of which go up and down mountains in interesting ways. For these and other reasons, France is a popular destination for driving holidays. | France is the closest foreign country to England after Wales and Scotland. It is a country that has many roads, many of which are clear of traffic and some of which go up and down mountains in interesting ways. For these and other reasons, France is a popular destination for driving holidays. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Also see [[Traveling abroad]] | ||
== Before you go == | == Before you go == | ||
Consider getting european breakdown cover | Consider getting european breakdown cover | ||
| + | Your insurance will almost certainly cover you for Europe, but will probably be just third party, so consider paying for Fully Comp Euro cover. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Also worth checking your insurance covers you for the repatriation of your car in the event you vehicle ends up un-driveable following an accident. It may only stipulate that you are covered for transport to the nearest competent repairer. Repatriation costs can easily be over £1000 depending on where you are. If your insurance doesn't cover for this you can get aftermarket coverage. Your standard AA or RAC European cover may also not suffice in the event of an accident. | ||
== Things to pack == | == Things to pack == | ||
| Line 11: | Line 16: | ||
Replacement bulb kit | Replacement bulb kit | ||
| − | Sat nav | + | Sat-nav |
Driving License, V5, insurance docs | Driving License, V5, insurance docs | ||
Euros for those 'on the spot' speeding fines. | Euros for those 'on the spot' speeding fines. | ||
| + | |||
| + | European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do | ||
== Getting There == | == Getting There == | ||
| − | Speedferries or Eurotunnel are frequently used by SELOC members | + | Speedferries or [[Eurotunnel]] are frequently used by SELOC members. |
| + | Norfolklines offer a very good service (and cheap) to Dunkirk, which is only 25 minutes further up the coast form Calais. Far more reliable than Speedferries. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Don't forget that you can use your Tesco vouchers on the Eurotunnel. | ||
== Driving in France == | == Driving in France == | ||
Drive on the right | Drive on the right | ||
| + | |||
| + | Roadsigns: Blue = Motorway (Péage / Toll), Green = Main Roads (N), White = local roads | ||
| + | |||
| + | Plan your route (including péage toll costs) at [http://www.viamichelin.com/ http://www.viamichelin.com/] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Beware of possible French driving like idiots on their local roads (even on blind corners) | ||
| + | |||
| + | French drivers are eager to overtake too & usually in a hurry it seems. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Main Roads (N) usually have lots of trucks on them during weekdays. Frequent dual carriage ways though :up | ||
| + | |||
| + | If oncoming French traffic flashes their lights at you they either like your car OR warn you of speed-trap ahead. | ||
Avoid Rouen | Avoid Rouen | ||
| Line 27: | Line 49: | ||
== Places / roads to go == | == Places / roads to go == | ||
The coast road south of Calais | The coast road south of Calais | ||
| − | If you're in the Loire go and visit | + | If you're in the Loire go and visit Amboise, it's a very beautiful small town with Da Vinci's resting place. |
Azay le Rideau is a lovely chateau built in the middle of a river worth going to see not far from Tours. | Azay le Rideau is a lovely chateau built in the middle of a river worth going to see not far from Tours. | ||
== Other hints and tips == | == Other hints and tips == | ||
| − | Remember that you'll struggle to find garages that are open off the | + | Remember that you'll struggle to find garages that are open off the péage (tolls) on Sundays or late at night. |
| + | 24/24 stations in most towns accept British credit cards these days. | ||
| + | |||
| + | French people appreciate your attempts at speaking French by being generally friendly, polite and helpful people. | ||
| + | So give it a go. Outside of bigger towns not many French speak English, or only a little. Perhaps bring small dictionary just in case. | ||
Look at sawdays.co.uk for places to stay. | Look at sawdays.co.uk for places to stay. | ||
| Line 37: | Line 63: | ||
Check Oil and take a spare litre or two. | Check Oil and take a spare litre or two. | ||
| − | + | Don't get caught speeding.......it WILL be expensive!....and if you are way over the limit - you could loose your car / licence! | |
If you have time before you go try and get a Telepeage beeper. I think www.sanef.fr is the website for them and it's a total godsend driving in an Elise, especially if you don't have a passenger to deal with the toll booths for you. | If you have time before you go try and get a Telepeage beeper. I think www.sanef.fr is the website for them and it's a total godsend driving in an Elise, especially if you don't have a passenger to deal with the toll booths for you. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Do not get caught with a camera scanner - big fines and confiscation!! | ||
| + | |||
| + | GPS Based Navigation equipment such as Tom Tom, however, are 100% legal. A free Scamera database for France can be downloaded from the [http://www.alertegps.com/download_index.asp Alerte GPS site] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == External Links == | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/general_advice.html General Overseas advice from the AA] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/AA_France_Monaco.pdf AA Touring tips for France / Monaco] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/compulsory_equipment.pdf AA Compulsory Equipment list] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/overseas/european_tolls_results.jsp?country=France AA Toll information] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.alertegps.co.uk/index.asp?lang_choice=EN French speed camera database for GPS devices] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Reference]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:12, 24 October 2013
France is the closest foreign country to England after Wales and Scotland. It is a country that has many roads, many of which are clear of traffic and some of which go up and down mountains in interesting ways. For these and other reasons, France is a popular destination for driving holidays.
Also see Traveling abroad
Before you go
Consider getting european breakdown cover Your insurance will almost certainly cover you for Europe, but will probably be just third party, so consider paying for Fully Comp Euro cover.
Also worth checking your insurance covers you for the repatriation of your car in the event you vehicle ends up un-driveable following an accident. It may only stipulate that you are covered for transport to the nearest competent repairer. Repatriation costs can easily be over £1000 depending on where you are. If your insurance doesn't cover for this you can get aftermarket coverage. Your standard AA or RAC European cover may also not suffice in the event of an accident.
Things to pack
Warning triangle
Hi-vis jackets for all occupants. These must be accessible from inside the car, so don't put them in your elise's boot.
Replacement bulb kit
Sat-nav
Driving License, V5, insurance docs
Euros for those 'on the spot' speeding fines.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do
Getting There
Speedferries or Eurotunnel are frequently used by SELOC members. Norfolklines offer a very good service (and cheap) to Dunkirk, which is only 25 minutes further up the coast form Calais. Far more reliable than Speedferries.
Don't forget that you can use your Tesco vouchers on the Eurotunnel.
Driving in France
Drive on the right
Roadsigns: Blue = Motorway (Péage / Toll), Green = Main Roads (N), White = local roads
Plan your route (including péage toll costs) at http://www.viamichelin.com/
Beware of possible French driving like idiots on their local roads (even on blind corners)
French drivers are eager to overtake too & usually in a hurry it seems.
Main Roads (N) usually have lots of trucks on them during weekdays. Frequent dual carriage ways though :up
If oncoming French traffic flashes their lights at you they either like your car OR warn you of speed-trap ahead.
Avoid Rouen
Places / roads to go
The coast road south of Calais If you're in the Loire go and visit Amboise, it's a very beautiful small town with Da Vinci's resting place. Azay le Rideau is a lovely chateau built in the middle of a river worth going to see not far from Tours.
Other hints and tips
Remember that you'll struggle to find garages that are open off the péage (tolls) on Sundays or late at night. 24/24 stations in most towns accept British credit cards these days.
French people appreciate your attempts at speaking French by being generally friendly, polite and helpful people. So give it a go. Outside of bigger towns not many French speak English, or only a little. Perhaps bring small dictionary just in case.
Look at sawdays.co.uk for places to stay.
Check Oil and take a spare litre or two.
Don't get caught speeding.......it WILL be expensive!....and if you are way over the limit - you could loose your car / licence!
If you have time before you go try and get a Telepeage beeper. I think www.sanef.fr is the website for them and it's a total godsend driving in an Elise, especially if you don't have a passenger to deal with the toll booths for you.
Do not get caught with a camera scanner - big fines and confiscation!!
GPS Based Navigation equipment such as Tom Tom, however, are 100% legal. A free Scamera database for France can be downloaded from the Alerte GPS site
External Links
General Overseas advice from the AA