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So this could be an adventure this summer. Invading Normandy with the family, but never driven abroad before.
What do I need to have, carry, remember while I am there?
And what is the best Android sat nav for France on a phone?
Thanks
Breathalyser an yellow jackets for a start 🙂
I'm just back.....
As above, and warning triangle, spare bulbs, manuals for the vehicle, MOT, insurance docs. Possibly headlight blockers; we didn't bother, just dipped the headlights using the adjusters.
Best SatNav- Nokia Here. Totally free. Download it, launch it, then download the French maps. Had 100% success with it.
*true story*
Don't do what my dad did when we were kids, after a particularly late Portsmouth/Leharve crossing. After grabbing a power nap in a lay by in the early hours he set back off in full English driving mode, ie on the wrong side of the pissing road, it was 20 mins of driving before the inevitable head on incident! It couldn't have been closer without actually hitting, my sister and I woke to some severe rally style swerving 😯
Don't have to have the breathalyser, but spare bulbs warning triangle, gb sticker on car, headlight deflectors and at least one high visibility jacket available to be accessed in the car.
Check aa site. Basically hi vis jacket, fire extinguisher, spare bulbs and make sure you can change them, warning triangle all in the front of the car, copies of your insurance and v5/mot etc a gb sticker if you've not got euro plates and beam converters. Plenty don't take any of this stuff though.. And don't worry about a breathalyser there is no fine for not having one.
Remember to drive on the right and look at European breakdown cover, and check your car insurance covers you properly for the length of your stay.
nokia here for the sat nav, just remember to download the maps you need before you go. It mullers battery too so you'll need a decent car charger.
They drive on the wrong side.
Roundabouts work the wrong way.
They come at you from the wrong side at roundabouts.
When they flash (on a motorway) it probably means that they're coming through and isn't an invitation for you to pull out.
They are likely use the priority from the right shenanegins.
Oh yeah, unless you can see a red bordered white triangle on the junction coming onto the road you're on or roundabout you're entering... Assume the entering traffic from the right has right of way and they will pull out on you!
Speed limits don't apply to foreigners
+1 on Nokia here. Bloody brilliant offline navigation.
Cheers guys. The roundabouts scare me. French ones will be worse.....
Speed cameras are about 2km from the warning signs. They are either little poles like a sawn of lamp post or squat grey boxes. They issue speeding tickets that are unenforceable over her, or at least they never bother.
Police speed traps are set up on the approaches to the channel ferries. The start point is by a small side road with a cop on a bike. The end point is by a cash machine normally by the beginning of that small side road. At one of these I saw six cash machines in constant use by GB cars in a rush for the ferry. These fines are inescapable .
High vis jacket inside the cabin is a good idea as it stops the arsey cops giving you an easy fine. Headlights are pointless with modern sealed units, breathalyser is no fine issue.
Driving standards are way lower than here in terms of observation, concentration and anticipation but lane discipline better.
Cops hate speed trap detectors so hide them real quick if you use one
Driving aggressively helps .. No really !!
If you are a middle lane driver they will hate you, overtake and move back over, that's a novel concept for most UK drivers.
Some of them still have yellow headlights
If there's a stop sign at a junction then do stop. If you roll through then le Flics are quite likely to pull you over. Which is fine if you like being talked at by leather clad motorbike cops.
All the rest is as above hi vis for all kept inside the passenger compartment, beam deflectors, bulbs, triangle, extinguisher, breathalyser, insurance/ green card, etc v
Lots of change for the peage, UK debit cards pretty much all work in the automated fuel pumps now.
Put a sticker on your steering wheel.
'Drive on the Right , Death comes from the Left'
Every time you get into your car this will remind you to be on the wrong side of the road, and look the wrong way at junctions.
Another vote for Here navigation....brilliant. don't worry about the roundabouts, most work just like ours..can't remember the last time I saw one where you have to give way to people joining it.
Peage take cards as does everywhere else I have been in France in the last decade.
Is there still such a thing as a Green Card?
Warning triangle is a valid requirement, forgot that as I carry one in the UK.
I agree about French lane discipline, if only we could get the UK drivers to pull back into the inside lane when they have finished overtaking we too could have two lane motorways flowing freely instead of three lanes of slow traffic
One thing I should have added....take more money.
Brexit has hit our ability to buy pretty hard. I was used to eating out frequently when over there.....now, not so much.
Say aloud to yourself and your wife "drive on the right" as you start the car. Pulling off on the wrong side of the road is the most common mistake. Steering wheel should be by the verge. Priority to the Right - you give way to traffic from your right, this generally only applies in towns but take care - the road sign is like a thin cross but there will be no markings on the road. Most roundabouts are "give way" ie cedez le passage so same as uk just you go the "wrong" way round ie anti clockwise. Stop is stop obviously 😉
For high viz buy in any supermarket dead cheap, not at ferry terminal !
As above lane discipline is very good, my French wife tut-tuts at me for that all the time and I consider myself quite good at getting over. Flashing headlights doesn't mean "ok" its more of a wtf ! Observe the speed limits but I've been flashed and never got a ticket, also got pulled over by a bike cop doing 137 in a 110 and got no ticket - French get ticketed all the time even for small infraction. Petrol cheapest at supermarkets, often 24hr and/or automatic pay-at-pump.
For satnav we use the excellent Waze - like a social network - it works best with data for traffic updates.
Enjoy !
Relax - after a day you'll realise that there's less traffic, less stress and more ability to cover distance. Using the pay roads will mean you'll have very little traffic (good if you're going further than Normandy) also, if you're heading south, don't travel close to the coast at weekends - it's English style traffic.
Oh, and overtaking. Remember you have to put most of the car over the middle of the road to look past a car. Rely on your passenger or hang back so you have lots of visibility, of course that only works with a bit of go.
For satnav we use the excellent Waze - like a social network - it works best with data for traffic updates.
Do NOT have French speed camera POI installed on your sat nav. I know of someone given a speeding ticket for 58e then another ticket for having an illegal GPS. There are apps for your phone that will warn you that aren't your GPS 🙂
@cody the £/€ has moved about 6% vs average from March-June hardly makes eating out expensive
OP by the way the French do not tip more than a few euros - they understand that fhe bill already includes 15% service. Waiters are paid proper salaries and don't survive on tips. My wife leaves less than 5% often 2 or 3% and staff are always grateful.
@atlaz waze is excellent almost always has the temporary handheld camera gun locations too. People put them on as soon as they drive past. Had one recently with guy hidden in bushes !
I use PocketGPSWorld. It "phones" you via bluetooth to warn you of upcoming cameras and again, crowd sourced. Satnav in the car for navigation, the app for the cameras.
I was getting about 20% less value than I would have had in February, Jambs....
But anyway.
The first roundabout when you get back home to the UK is confusing.
I was getting about 20% less value than I would have had in February, Jambs....But anyway.
Nah. It's more like 10% from the Feb high to today. Significant but not 20% 🙂
Don't forget to get a tag to head through the automatic till barriers https://www.saneftolling.co.uk
From ages ago but I was fooled by traffic lights with a constantly flashing amber ,, it means good luck the traffic lights are not on .
You don't need half of that shit, don't listen to websites that try to sell you things.
You need to have high-vis tabbards for both front passengers, accessible from within the car. You also need to carry a triangle. That's it.
You're also supposed to adjust headlights but if you're not driving in the dark it's irrelevant.
the toll tag thing is defo worth it. Saved us ages at each toll
It's been years since I drove round Europe , now driving down with 16 month old to morzine . Is the tag worth the extra 30 euro over a card ?
the toll tag thing is defo worth it. Saved us ages at each toll
It seemed massively expensive to me unless you live there / plan to visit regularly (and was useless anyway given I was a high load with bikes on the roof).
Estate with bikes and roof box overhang may cause issues with pickup?
not really you get some money back when you send it back. and it does work in the lorry lane you know...
ThatPut a sticker on your steering wheel.
'Drive on the Right , Death comes from the Left'
If you are in the back of beyond then watch our for priorité à droite. Although it seems to have died there (but not in Belgium 🙁 ) you do still need to be aware it exists:
http://www.drive-france.com/faqs/get-your-priorities-right/
Was it France or Spain where some of the smaller rest areas on M-ways were dangerous?
My only mod for France is a GB sticker, driving is much more pleasant than here, fewer angry peeps, fewer I'm a driving god types and fewer vehicles altogether.
The hardest part is reacclimatising to the UK on your return.
I wouldnt bother wih a tag unless your going several times a year.
Hi-vis accessible when you step out the car, spare bulbs, [u]no[/u] sat nav that is capable of showing speed cameras (even if turned off), headlight deflectors and GB sticker/plate.
Don't need breathalyser currently as it keeps getting deferred but they keep trying to make it law. No reciprocal agreement with UK for speeding fines so no problem with fixed cameras. Hand held though and they'll catch and stop you.
If you're likely to break the law, carry plenty of cash or a cash card for when they march you to the nearest cash point 😉
And a toll tag definitely.
wilburt - Member
I wouldnt bother wih a tag unless your going several times a year.
Still worth it unless you're only driving through one toll. So much easier, no need for toll cash, no queuing and doesn't cost you much for the tag. If you don't use it subsequent years, cancel the subscription (couple of quid a year) or loan the tag to someone who is going. I think you can get the money back on the tag itself if you return it (about £20?).
@leffe priorite a droite is everywhere in Paris and the suburbs including on all the roundabouts. Its still very mich alove across the country too
@makkag Toll card (tele-peage): Mrs B (French) refuses to get one and afaik none of her family have them either. They all drive on peage a lot, eg almost every summer weekend to go to the coast. They all pay with bank card. Biggest advantage I can see with the tele-peage is if you are in a right hand drive car on your own it saves getting out. Most peage booths accept cards and there are very few tele-peage only lanes, most tele-peage lanes accept cards too.
@deadkennedy, your advising the fella to register an account, spring e40 upfront for a tag to drive to Normandy?
Was it France or Spain where some of the smaller rest areas on M-ways were dangerous?
It's not France. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't spend the night in one but that's more down to me than the danger of the places. They're no more dangerous than any other random piece of land you may stop on.
Simple checklists
http://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/country/france/
The useful thing to remember is that the high vis should be accessible without getting out of the car - common sense really.
Speed Traps? Don't speed.... set the cruise and cruise down.
On the currency it is about 20% different from this time last year
http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=GBP&to=EUR&view=1Y
As for right/left for me it was always when leaving small town car parks etc that caught you out.
The middle lane thing was very apparent, if the car behind is flashing it's lights then you have picked the wrong lane for that speed 🙂
Priority to the right is also extended to car parks and many small lanes in Normandy, so if your cruising down the car park and some one on your right drives into you its your fault 😯
1 hi viz for each passenger to be accessible in the car red triangle also you dont have to carry baulbs but your lights must work so carry em or risk an on the spot fine
forget about flashing your lights its not the same here
stop at stop sign count 3 stop really means stop.
forget about flashing your lights its not the same here
From experience it's the French way of informing you that you are going too slow I want to drive through you on the motorway - either that or trying to see if your number plate is attatched with phillips or flat heads
Nice one all I have passengers so will just keep debit card front and centre for them then ,
wicki - MemberPriority to the right is also extended to car parks and many small lanes in Normandy, so if your cruising down the car park and some one on your right drives into you its your fault
Could you post a link that states that this law is still active. please? I understand it has been overwritten now. The only problem is that it is difficult to break old habits. I can't see anything that points at an accident is going to be your fault if driven into.
All I can find is that in certain area there is signage indicating that the law is still active and where it ends.
[url= http://www.vendee-guide.co.uk/priority-a-droite.htm ]http://www.vendee-guide.co.uk/priority-a-droite.htm[/url]
Lots of horror stories on here making it sounds like it's hard to travel in France - it really isn't. You might find it a bit stressful for an hour or two but you'll soon get into the swing of things. I much prefer travelling in France than in the UK.
Rachel
As well as bulbs you need to have the tools that allow you to change them. For hassle free, the trick seems to be to have your hi viz jackets draped over the seats so they can be seen. Guess the assumption is that if you obey that rule you are probably obeying them all.
For hassle free, the trick seems to be to have your hi viz jackets draped over the seats so they can be seen.
The French police don't check that you have them at the ferry port/tunnel or anything so why bother. The only people I know who do this do it because they have no room in their glove boxes/side pockets. If you break down and don't have them AND the police stop AND they give a shit, you may get a fine. In years of driving over here I've been stopped more times by customs than by the police and usually it's a quick chat and on my way.
I agree with allthegear that generally, driving on the continent is easier than the UK. People, on average, are a little more courteous and good with lane discipline (except at the toll booths in France where it's the law of the jungle).
Whilst overtaking on the motorway you will your arse sat right upon by following traffic - it's not the angry "get the f*** out of my way" that it is over here so don't worry about it.
The viz thing was my observation from watching which cars were pulled over for a check. I never was as I was always in a Spanish car.At least that's my theory.
it's not the angry "get the f*** out of my way" that it is over here so don't worry about it.
🙄
Whatever the intention sitting that close is something to be very worried about. Sensible option is just pull in and let them go. Just something to be aware of.
From experience it's the French way of informing you that you are going too slow I want to drive through you on the motorway - either that or trying to see if your number plate is attatched with phillips or flat heads
You sound like you've been on the road with Mrs B 🙂 Also we forgot to mention that you must beep the horn at every opportunity.
OP lots of good advice here just take it sensibly. IME French are pretty respectful of Brit drivers, they are afraid we are clueless and about to crash into them.
Highviz - ours are in the underseat storage bin. We have them in both cars (Brit and French). I have been checked twice - once a general check when in a rented car swith swiss plates and once when I was stopped for speeding 😳
Documents - forgot to say you shoukd take your insurance and registration (or decent copies) and your driving licence. In France its compulsory to have these with you.
As well as bulbs you need to have the tools that allow you to change them.
I don't know why this keeps coming up, but you do not need to carry spare bulbs (or tools for that matter) in France.
You don't need a GB sticker if it says (GB) on your number plate either, which most if not all modern cars do.
Oh yeah, as for 'need to know',
The town name signs are implicit speed limits. Entering a town the limit becomes 50kph even though there's rarely a speed limit sign; ditto leaving, the town name crossed out means the NSL applies again.
Many speed limit signs are conditional. On motorway equivalents you'll see limits which apply to trucks or to traffic leaving the motorway, look for the little white signs underneath the main circle.
The "priorité a droite" sign is like a diagonal crossroads sign. They're rare IME. You'll see a yellow diamond a lot, this means that 'normal' rules apply, give way to the left.
Carry different cards with you. Service stations are buggers, I went through four cards before I hit one they'd accept (two debit cards, my FairFX card and Shell fuel card were all rejected, the only thing that worked was a credit card).
Was it France or Spain where some of the smaller rest areas on M-ways were dangerous?
Ahh gassing incidents - er yep it has happened in both countries.
dunno if its still the case though but i'd stick to proper campsite
(or behind a garage for a snooze).
Whatever the intention sitting that close is something to be very worried about. Sensible option is just pull in and let them go. Just something to be aware of.
Not saying they don't want you out of the way (and I agree, I get out of the way too), but they're not going to come blasting past you afterwards blowing the horn and giving you ****er signs.
Some of them still have yellow headlights
Even though we stopped bombing them years ago...
In the evenings keep an eye out for the loud little cars that they let the drunks drive, they can be erratic to say the least 😯
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35210572
If you are going on the tunnel, the tag is free and 6 euro a yr (20 euro refundable deposit) At that price it is worth it IF you are doing any considerable distance via the motorways.
https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/Eurotunnel-Le-Shuttle-Offer-Landing-Page
Lots of bollocks being churned out on here again. Listen to MikeSmith and Allthegear as it sounds like they have [i]actual [/i]experience of travelling through France.
I've driven around and through France many times and never had anything other than an enjoyable experience. The driving standards are much better than the aggressive style we have over here, so sit back and enjoy the journey. I would recommend taking frequent stops and take a picnic in a cool box so when you do arrive at your destination you're not drained and can get on with enjoying yourself.
As you'll have a car full no doubt you will be needing toilet breaks. There are plenty of "Aires de service" to stop at but most of these are nothing more than a hole in the floor and an abundance of flies. Take advantage of the service stations. Some of the Aires are very nice places with proper toilets, picnic grounds, parks etc.
The toll tag is well worthwhile IMO. Usually means shorter queues, your passenger can sleep and the 30km/h lanes are relatively unused and really quick.
Don't bother with www.saneftolling.co.uk though, it's a rip-off. Buy one from one of the other French operators direct and set up direct debit with a credit card that doesn't charge currency conversion fees. We got ours from www.aprr.fr. No annual fee, we just pay for those months in which we actually use it.
Driving in France is so easy. The worst bit, by far, is the drive from home to Folkestone.
There are plenty of "Aires de service" to stop at but most of these are nothing more than a hole in the floor and an abundance of flies. Take advantage of the service stations. Some of the Aires are very nice places with proper toilets, picnic grounds, parks etc.
I'd actually recommend it the other way. I tend to only stop at the service stations when I need a drink or food. If I need a wee I stop at an aire de repos (rest area) as, for the most part, they're not too bad. There's a few on popular routes like the run down to Metz where they're like biological warfare facilities but for the most part they're nice enough places to stop, eat a sandwich and stretch your legs. You can't tell from the road though, so unless you know the route, it's trial and error.
Ahh gassing incidents - er yep it has happened in both countries.
Is it actually true? Afair it was debunked by anaesthetists saying it would be great to have such an easily administered knockout gas.
I'm with Atlaz here, service stations can be hella busy so tend to only use them for food but use the Aires for most stops (and the occasional sleep if we've driven through the night). No "2hr max stay" bollocks like you see here either.
Is it actually true? Afair it was debunked by anaesthetists saying it would be great to have such an easily administered knockout gas.
Debunked for sure for household robberies AFAIK but not sure about campers. I can find several articles about robberies where the victim said they'd been gassed but little supporting evidence from the police. I'd be more inclined to believe the ones where people make friends with the victims and slip them something in a drink than the gassing; seems very easy to end up moving from robbery to multiple murder that way.
On motorways lane discipline is an olympic sport, enforced by really quite incredible tailgating.
Everywhere else though I found driving in France - Normandy and Brittany - a pleasure. Roads tend to be quieter and the driving fairly laid back and aggression free. Its a pretty civilized place after all!
On most autoroutes there're aires every 20km or so, seems to be arranged so that there's major one with fuel, cafe etc, then a simple one - so you're never so far away from relief...
Just take your time, and enjoy your holiday. It's really not that difficult, just take care to make sure you drive on the right!
atlaz - Member
I'd actually recommend it the other way. I tend to only stop at the service stations when I need a drink or food. If I need a wee I stop at an aire de repos (rest area) as, for the most part, they're not too bad. There's a few on popular routes like the run down to Metz where they're like biological warfare facilities but for the most part they're nice enough places to stop, eat a sandwich and stretch your legs. You can't tell from the road though, so unless you know the route, it's trial and error.
Good point. Stopped at a few of these and well maintained places and nice places to stop and have a stretch, not busy and no long walk round service station building to find the toilets.
I'd also echo driving in France is really quite pleasant, especially on the autoroutes. Again well maintained and generally quiet.
Driving is more relaxed. Reminds me of driving in western US. Get back to the UK and I just snap into an aggressive mode again as everyone else seems out to kill me.
Anyway, as for GB plates. What are people going to do post Brexit? Mine has EU flag on it. Never liked that it did.
Anyway, as for GB plates. What are people going to do post Brexit? Mine has EU flag on it. Never liked that it did.
I have just specifically bought one with an EU flag on it for this year 😀
deadkenny - the UK hasn't left the EU yet. No new number plate
On motorways lane discipline is an olympic sport, enforced by really quite incredible tailgating.
French motorways work the way ours are supposed to. You keep to the right, pull out to overtake, and pull back in again. You do get the odd wing commander who will come steaming up to towing distance with their left indicator going, but it's a pretty rare occurrence IME. I'd respectfully suggest that if anyone finds its happening often, their lane discipline / forward planning needs work.
We've got a house in Normandy and drive there 2 or 3 times a year. My advice would be:
1.Take high vis, bulb kit, warning triangle, basic first aid kit, GB sticker if your number plate doesn't have a GB badge, mask the lights with a bit of insulation tape, carry your insurance, log book and licence. Have been asked for all of these in the past. No need for Breathalyser or fire extinguisher.
2.Don't bother with a tag if you're only planning to go to Normandy. Not many tolls, not worth the hassle.
3.A lot of banks charge for every transaction you make in France, sometimes as much as £2 a time. Have a look for a credit card that doesn't charge and pay it off when you get home, if you want to use it to pay tolls.
4.Priorty to the right DOES exist in France, regardless of what others have written on here. It applies only to unmarked junctions (those without stop or give way lines). Lots of these in Rural Normandy. However, the French seem to be just as confused about who to give way to as anyone else, so slow down and keep your eyes open and you'll be fine. Roundabouts are the same as here, priority to traffic already on the roundabout.
5.Motorway services (with fuel/cafes) generally have cleaner facilities but unless you plan on eating off the floor, a bog's a bog.
6. Lane discipline is incredibly important to the French. Unless you want a Renault VelSatis three inches from your rear bumper, pull out, overtake, pull back in (especially as in Normandy, virtually all the motorways have two lanes).
7. Flashing yellow lights are on road works - you don't get a green light, it is a 'proceed with caution', you do get a red stop light when you can't go.
Always refer to the Police Municipal as Gendarmes Plastiques.
Biggest advantage I can see with the tele-peage is if you are in a right hand drive car on your own it saves getting out. Most peage booths accept cards and there are very few tele-peage only lanes, most tele-peage lanes accept cards too.
Two nice advantages: 1) You can avoid queuing at Peage which can be a pain in Summer - you don't normally stop and 2) You pay the following month via DD.
But we go all the way South twice a year so it stacks up.
Do they still do that thing where they use their indicator to tell you they wanna come past?
atlaz - Member
deadkenny - the UK hasn't left the EU yet. No new number plate
Just thinking in advance 😀 - it still may never happen though.