Driving in France

Information on Driving in France

Driving in France is easy most of the signs are the same as the UK.

The cost of fuel is about 10% cheaper than the UK but if you use the toll roads a lot then there is not much difference.

Before you go to France get a warning triangle, spare bulbs GB plate. Plus you need a disposable breathalyser twin pack at a cost of about 6 pounds.Make sure that it is legally compliant for use in France

Also you want the stick on headlight converters even if you are not driving in the dark.The French police were doing spot checks when we got off the ferry You could get an on the spot fine

The open road in France

The main things to watch about driving on the right is turning left and roundabouts.

You have to remember to look left instead of right like you do in the UK.

The roads in France are very straight and fairly quite by UK standards. The roads only gets busy in the main cities. If you are travelling long distances the toll roads are best but can work out expensive.

There are regular parking areas ever 10k where you can pull off with some facilities.

Every 25k there is fuel and full service facilities we found them better than UK motorway services.

Service Station

Something else I noticed this year is more speed cameras in rural areas, not on the scale of the UK.

The cameras have a clear warning sign before you reach them.

Most small towns and villages have free parking.

If not you seem to park on the pavement rather than the road.

Buying petrol or diesel in France is different than the uK they have very few roadside filling stations. Most fuel is sold at the large supermarkets 24 hours.

It is best to get your fuel before 7pm you can pay a cashier. After 7 you can pay by credit card not easy if you do not read French you could loose your card.Plus not all fuel pumps take UK cards.

Navigating in the rural area can be interesting you come to a crossroad.

It will have a good signpost showing four different villages none on your map.

One of the charms of driving in France is to get lost and find a hidden village or Chateau.

This year I got a sat nav which I use after I got lost trying to find our rented gite.Which was between two small villages on a unnamed road.it is much easier with the Sat Nav. The French post code areas are larger than in the UK so in remote areas you are on your own for the last half mile.If you are looking for your holiday gite on an unmarked road in the middle of nowhere.You are better using the Latitude and longitude this will get you to a few feet of your Gite.Google will convert any address for you.

One of the best things about driving in France is seeing the small villages and towns off the beaten track

The best reason to take the car to France.All the food and wine you can bring back.

Places to stay

Holiday Rental apartment Paris

This large 2-bedroom apartment is a delight to come home to after a long days sightseeing and window shopping. Located on the first floor (2nd floor for North Americans), with a lift, the apartment overlooks rue Custine, one of the most interesting street in Paris to walk through.

Though facing the street, the double-glazed windows give you excellent insulation against any daily passerby.

The apartment has been tastefully decorated in vibrant colors, which catch the natural light streaming into the apartment. As the view is not obstructed closely by another building in front, you benefit from the sunlight and can enjoy your morning breakfast a the wooden dinning table which extends to seat 6.

In the living room you will find a sofa bed that sleeps two. We also have installed a flat screen TV with cable (as well as a dvd player and some dvd's) and have high speed internet access for your laptop computers so you can remain in touch. We also provide you with a Mac Computer in the apartment, a free Phone during your stay and a Bose bluetooth station.

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