Will be setting off on Friday for 2 weeks driving in France. Getting the ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg on Saturday, staying in a hotel in Portsmouth Friday night as ferry at 9 am Saturday, staying in 2 cottages, first week at Louargat then down to Concarneau. Been before 3 times with the caravan but the last one was 4 years ago. Been reminding myself of what I need to take, speed limits and so on but wondered if anyone had any tips or experiences they would care to share.
High visibility jackets for everyone in the car itself (not the boot). Warning triangle, spare bulbs. No breathalyser needed as they realised they couldn't enforce it.
Also if you wear glasses for driving you need to have a spare pair.
Hi Bob,
You've prob seen this but if not....
https://www.drive-france.com/checklist/ (https://www.drive-france.com/checklist/)
I'm meeting up with a English mate who lives in France for a drink later before he goes back tomorrow so will ask if there are any top tips rather than 'the law'.
I seem to remember than you can turn right on a red light if there's no one coming from the left but better confirm that. Also I think that they very nicely have to have a road sign telling you that there is a speed camera 100m or so further along the road.
Hopefully some more but have a great trip, give my love to Brittany and have a boule de cidre for me.
Santé weave
Been a long time since I've driven in France but when I did your headlights had to be painted yellow as well as having converters fitted to them so the beam fell to the correct side of the road.
I was also shocked to find out traffic coming onto roundabouts had the right of way.
I don't know if any of the above applies these days.
Quote from: Bealman on June 13, 2018, 07:34:20 AM
Folks, let me gently remind you that we have a number of French members :beers:
Has anyone said anything unpleasant or otherwise which might offend them? :confused2:
Still need beam converters on your headlights unless yours can be adjusted, most HID/Xenon and LED lights should be adjustable. Stickers do the job otherwise.
GB sticker if you've not got the European style numberplates with an integrated GB moniker too.
Basically what it says in Weave's link! Didn't know about the right turn on red thing (and I've not seen it), that's interesting.
Quote from: weave on June 13, 2018, 08:19:56 AM
I seem to remember than you can turn right on a red light if there's no one coming from the left but better confirm that.
AFAIK, you can only turn right on red if there's a flashing amber "filter" arrow on the lights giving you permission. Note that it's flashing amber, not green. That means you don't have priority.
The other big one to remember is that traffic joining from the right has priority (e.g. on roundabouts or from side roads), unless indicated otherwise by road markings or a yellow diamond road sign by the side of the main road. This isn't anything like as common as it was years ago but it does still exist, especially in rural areas. As @Newportnobby (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=264) says, that is a shock on roundabouts particularly.
I haven't seen yellow headlamps there for years and years except on the occasional old banger... Beam converters are still required, but lots of Brits don't bother. Probably get you into trouble if you're stopped for something else.
Safety (speed) cameras are grey, not yellow, so watch out. Also, I'm pretty sure it's illegal to use a satnav that warns you of approaching cameras, so that function needs to be disabled if you have it. I think most manufacturers do that by default now in the relevant countries. Satnavs that tell you speed limits are Ok, I think.
Quote from: Nick on June 13, 2018, 09:50:16 AM
The other big one to remember is that traffic joining from the right has priority (e.g. on roundabouts or from side roads), unless indicated otherwise by road markings or a yellow diamond road sign by the side of the main road. This isn't anything like as common as it was years ago but it does still exist, especially in rural areas. As Newportnobby says, that is a shock on roundabouts particularly.
It certainly was, especially as I was on my Triumph Tiger 750 at the time! :o
Being on a motorbike made things easier, of course, as even on rural roads I didn't need to put the other half in danger when I wanted to overtake anything.
Good shout by Nick on the satnav with warning of speed cameras, IIRC disabling the functionality technically isn't enough either, you're just not allowed to use them. I suspect that's very hard to enforce though.
Quote from: Newportnobby on June 13, 2018, 09:56:50 AM
Being on a motorbike made things easier, of course, as even on rural roads I didn't need to put the other half in danger when I wanted to overtake anything.
I only overtake on single carriageway roads if my wife's given me the OK... Our lives are in her hands. I'm driving to Brussels for a business meeting in ten days, and I think it's the first time I'll have driven
sur Le Continent in a right-hand drive car without a front seat passenger. No overtaking for me. :no:
One thing I think is absolutely great about driving in France is the little repeater traffic lights at driver eye level, so the car at the front of the queue actually knows when the lights have changed! Why we can't have them over here I don't know. Our authorities seem to want us to install a periscope or cut a viewing port in the car roof!
Quote from: njee20 on June 13, 2018, 10:04:11 AM
Good shout by Nick on the satnav with warning of speed cameras, IIRC disabling the functionality technically isn't enough either, you're just not allowed to use them. I suspect that's very hard to enforce though.
That may well be true. I'm pretty sure my satnav had a firmware update years ago that removed the functionality altogether when the GPS detects that it's in France. (And other countries).
Yes that was the solution, for that reason. Worth checking, if you use one, if it has camera data for France (it shouldn't!).
And remember the penalties in France for using a mobile phone while in the driving seat of a car. This recent article gives plenty of detail:
https://www.thelocal.fr/20180205/french-drivers-banned-from-using-mobile-phones-in-carseven-when-they-arent-moving (https://www.thelocal.fr/20180205/french-drivers-banned-from-using-mobile-phones-in-carseven-when-they-arent-moving)
My first experience of driving in La Belle France was around the Périphérique in Paris and down to the Ardeche valley back in 1984. One of the best ;) driving lessons I ever had! :D Not so much a steep learning curve, more a very sudden one! Having been a motorcyclist since I was a teenager helped in the wits and eyes open departments!
Enjoy your trip! :thumbsup:
Hi again,
Remembered another one but please check. On Autoroutes if it's raining the 130 kmph speed limit goes down to 110 kmph, 110 kmph to 90 kmph etc. I think that's only if raining quite hard.
Hope it wont be raining and as you're on holiday you'll probably not be in a rush anyway (unless your trying to get back for the ferry :doh:). Apparently the gendarmes decide what level of rain determines this law so be careful.
Hope this all isn't worrying you too much but as you've been before, you'll be fine :).
Cheers weave :beers:
Living here all the above can apply to visitors. Regarding the speed cameras on the sat nav my French car has this function, it hasn't been disabled, very handy though once I missed it and got a point took off my licence! Remember also that speed limit drops to 80kmh from 90 on most roads from July 1st but not applicable for this visit.
Before you reach a town there is normally a section of 70kmh but once you pass the sign with the town name the limit is 50kmh though some towns have areas with 30kmh.
If your car has ability to be set up in metric units then somewhere you should see a digital speedo in kmh but for info
30kmh = 22mph
50kmh = 31mph
70kmh = 44mph
80kmh = 50mph
90kmh = 56mph
110kmh = 68mph (on autoroutes)
130kmh = 81mph (on autoroutes)
If stopped by gendarmes then any fine that is applied normally has to be paid on the spot.
Safe driving
Quote from: daffy on June 13, 2018, 10:32:39 AM
And remember the penalties in France for using a mobile phone while in the driving seat of a car. This recent article gives plenty of detail:
https://www.thelocal.fr/20180205/french-drivers-banned-from-using-mobile-phones-in-carseven-when-they-arent-moving (https://www.thelocal.fr/20180205/french-drivers-banned-from-using-mobile-phones-in-carseven-when-they-arent-moving)
Isn't the situation very similar here in the UK? You mustn't hold a phone "while driving", but can while "safely parked"?
As I understand it, the legal interpretations of "driving" and "parked" mean that to use a handheld, you have to be properly parked up in an spot where it's legal to park, with the parking brake on, engine switched off and the keys out of the ignition. (no idea how that works with keyless ignition.) Stopping on a roundabout with your hazards on doesn't cut it...
The rule about priority to traffic on the right only applies in Paris.
The rule for roundabouts is the same as in the UK - vehicles on the roundabout have priority over those joining it.
Best regards,
Joe
Quote from: joe cassidy on June 13, 2018, 11:13:05 AM
The rule about priority to traffic on the right only applies in Paris.
The rule for roundabouts is the same as in the UK - vehicles on the roundabout have priority over those joining it.
Best regards,
Joe
Hi Joe,
That is true but I believe some drivers of the old school, shall we say, are either not aware of this or just choose to ignore it so just be aware, be careful and THINK RIGHT!!!
Quote from: Nick on June 13, 2018, 11:09:15 AM
Quote from: daffy on June 13, 2018, 10:32:39 AM
And remember the penalties in France for using a mobile phone while in the driving seat of a car. This recent article gives plenty of detail:
https://www.thelocal.fr/20180205/french-drivers-banned-from-using-mobile-phones-in-carseven-when-they-arent-moving (https://www.thelocal.fr/20180205/french-drivers-banned-from-using-mobile-phones-in-carseven-when-they-arent-moving)
Isn't the situation very similar here in the UK? You mustn't hold a phone "while driving", but can while "safely parked"?
Yes, much the same. My main intent was to illustrate the level of the French fine itself, and I should add that from what I've read and learnt from self and friends is that in France and other European countries, such as Switzerland and Germany, the Police are far more pro-active in stopping drivers and issuing fines than here in the U.K.
Try NSW, mate. It's a blumming police state when it comes to that! :beers:
Quote from: joe cassidy on June 13, 2018, 11:13:05 AM
The rule about priority to traffic on the right only applies in Paris.
The rule for roundabouts is the same as in the UK - vehicles on the roundabout have priority over those joining it.
Best regards,
Joe
We still have some roads around here that have no signs so have to treat them with respect, mind you it's very rare that you meet another vehicle.
This is the AA's current advice ( note 6 page doc like at bottom of page)
https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe/driving-in-france (https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe/driving-in-france)
https://www.theaa.com/~/media/the-aa/pdf/touring-tips/france-monaco.pdf?la=en (https://www.theaa.com/~/media/the-aa/pdf/touring-tips/france-monaco.pdf?la=en)
Quote from: weave on June 13, 2018, 11:34:43 AM
Quote from: joe cassidy on June 13, 2018, 11:13:05 AM
The rule about priority to traffic on the right only applies in Paris.
The rule for roundabouts is the same as in the UK - vehicles on the roundabout have priority over those joining it.
Best regards,
Joe
Hi Joe,
That is true but I believe some drivers of the old school, shall we say, are either not aware of this or just choose to ignore it so just be aware, be careful and THINK RIGHT!!!
Yes that is true the older generation sometimes run under the older rules, lived in Toulouse for 5 years and the majority obey the same UK rule but the odd one didn't. Also the majority of minor roads having priority onto a main road have gone although there are always the odd ones to catch you out, mainly within towns and villages though.
In the five years I was there I was initially horrified at the bad driving around A roads but equally impressed with the keep right on the dual carriageways and Autoroutes, only overtaking and the ridiculously fast using the left (outer) lane(s).
I was equally as horrified on my return to the UK to find how much the driving had deteriorated in five years, along with the roads!!
Enjoy a pothole free experience
Steve
One thing that has not been mentioned, but is worth bearing in mind when planning any trip through Europe is the proliferation of Urban Access restrictions and Low Emission Zones in recent times.
The LEZs particularly are a bit of a minefield as the criteria vary from country to country and sometimes city to city. As does whether you have to obtain and display a permit or simply register your vehicle with some scheme. Some work on ANPR systems, but don't have details of foreign vehicles, so you have to register, etc. They may or may not be a fee...
These schemes may stop you driving into some zones entirely if you have an older car, especially a diesel, but registration/display requirements are likely to be relevant even if you are ultimately entitled to enter the zone.
The best way into the maze that I know of is here (http://urbanaccessregulations.eu/)
Went from Portsmouth to Cherbourg on the 'fastcat' ferry about 3 weeks ago (and returned in one piece!). Drove down through Normandy and most the way across Brittany during that holiday. I can tell you that the route from Cherbourg to Louargat village is almost all dual carriageway (or even 3 lane near Avaranches), and is very easy driving these days compared to when I first went 30 years ago. That first stage ought to take you about 4 and a half to 5 hours plus stoppage time. In general the road rules are very similar to the UK except for the hi-viz clothing for all. On these major roads you won't have to worry about 'priority from the right'. The signage is clear to all. We did come across the rule inside the town limits where we were staying however, but as there was a low speed limit thereabouts it was no problem. If you are camping where I think you might be staying in Louargat, just take extra care in the lanes around the village as the priority rules might not have been updated. Similarly, the route from there to Concarneau is on fairly good 2 lane roads but again, take care when going through the towns and villages en route. It's a very civilised area in which to take a holiday these days (even the public toilets!) and the Bretons usually seem to prefer Brits to Parisiennes, so enjoy!
Thanks to all for the excellent feedback, had already got hi viz jackets and warning triangle from previous trips, bought breathalysers as some sites say still must have. Bought a low emission zone sticker, although may not be needed it didn't cost much and doesn't expire. Have a Mk 3 Citreon C5 which has directional headlights which bend as steering round corners which I have turned off, weird experience! and headlight beam is set central so no beam correction stickers needed. One of the dashboard dials can be changed to show, in big numbers, the speed and can be changed to kph.
Have always been cautious on roundabouts having had a couple of issues, not near misses but hairy anyway.
Thanks for all the kind wishes for a good holiday, I'm sure we will.
:thankyousign:
It's not about the beam being central, nor swivling on corners, it's that the beam is asymmetric, and 'flares' on the near side. In Europe that will be dazzling oncoming traffic.
Quote from: bob lawrence on June 13, 2018, 09:32:45 PM
Have a Mk 3 Citreon C5
You should fit right in up until the point they chuck you in the Bastille for incorrect spelling ;)
Any old bulb set will do! I have a Peugeot ( spell checked) set in my Jazz
Glove pocket
Sent from my iPhone
Please excuse spilling and procrastination
No-one has mentioned the thing I've always found most useful when driving abroad: a wife who automatically says every time you join a road or reach a junction,"You are looking left; you are driving on the right!"
Last week in Invergary I managed to attract the attention of a French driver just before he drove round a corner into an oncoming lorry. A quick swerve to the left and he survived.
Quote from: LAandNQFan on June 13, 2018, 10:25:04 PM
No-one has mentioned the thing I've always found most useful when driving abroad: a wife who automatically says every time you join a road or reach a junction,"You are looking left; you are driving on the right!"
Last week in Invergary I managed to attract the attention of a French driver just before he drove round a corner into an oncoming lorry. A quick swerve to the left and he survived.
A post- it note on the wheel ( drive on the right) is useful.
I've never had a problem with being on the right for normal driving, when I tend to forget is in car parks or little single track roads when you have to pull in to let people past, I often end up going left if I'm in my own car, a LHD car is sufficient reminder not to! Always been met with a slightly bemused French driver who passes on the 'wrong' side and carries on!
Hi all,
Bit of an aside story from years ago but I drove a previous girlfriend and another couple of friends round Brittany for 2 weeks with no problems. Got back to England and drove the couple to Heathrow as they were flying on to Ireland.
I was shattered so asked the then girlfriend if she would drive home. She had been doing the 'think right' and 'careful' warnings for me for 2 weeks and it had obviously been installed in her brain as at the large roundabout for the M25 near Staines, as I nodded off, she went right :doh:
Luckily it was late and there wasn't much traffic. No one was hurt but it confused the hell out of a Polish lorry that had just come off the motorway. I didn't sleep until we got home.
Cheers weave :beers:
More years ago than I care to remember my mate and I toured Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and France in 3 weeks on our motorbikes and, on arrival back at Dover, I just rode up the hill out of town on the right hand side of the road. It seemed the natural thing to do! :dunce:
Quote from: Railwaygun on June 13, 2018, 10:18:29 PM
Any old bulb set will do! I have a Peugeot ( spell checked) set in my Jazz
Glove pocket
Apparently not, checked what spare bulbs I already had and was two short. One was H1 headlight obtained from Halfords, the other was HP24, indicator, this one
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/66/5263-140618130654.png) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=66435)
But the bulb was orange on the one I wanted. Well what a job I had, Had to go to Citroen in the end and even they had trouble identifying it, no kidding. Quoted me £36. I had an idea it would be expensive as I had been looking on Google but not that much. After having checked it was reduced to £18, it looks like it's in two parts, the bulb and the holder. In the end it had to be ordered from Citroen and will be here about 9 in the morning.
I know I've left it a bit late (slapped wrist) but I thought 'just a bulb'. We have all day to travel down to Portsmouth so no problem.
Once again thanks to all for your comments.
Bob the best advice is "be careful".
The statistics speak for themselves - French roads are more dangerous than UK roads.
Also, the French do still not understand that drinking and driving is dangerous.
Losing your licence is not a deterrent.
If you lose your licence you can buy a 4 wheel car with a tiny petrol engine that can be driven without a licence, a bit like the Reliant 3-wheeler in the "good old days".
Best regards;
Joe
In today's BBC new roundup on my iPad is this article about the current change in speed limits on French rural roads, lowering the 90kph limit to 80kph between now and July 1st:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44472557 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44472557)
Don't get caught out!
Article contains interesting stats about European roads.