The Joy of the Open Road ...
Once you leave the area around your ferry port, or the Eurotunnel,
you’ll soon notice that the roads in France are generally less
congested than in the UK. Of course, this will be affected by seasonal
travel peaks and it is worth remembering that August is the big holiday
month for the French. But generally speaking, the traffic on the local
roads and even the Autoroutes is a lot less stressful, there is a greater
feeling of open space, and tempers inside the car remain less frayed!
The official website for the Autoroutes offers a lot of useful information,
including an up-to-date weather report (Meteo) for your required area.
You do have to pay for the pleasure of using the Autoroute but it really
is a pleasure worth paying for. The roads are in good condition and
the service stations are of a high standard. These are to be found at
frequent intervals and provide good facilities. There are usually a general
shop, restaurant, coffee and snack areas, toilet and baby changing facilities
and outdoor seating areas. As an added bonus, you will find an Aire
de Repos between service stations. These rest areas provide toilet facilities
and small picnic areas. They offer a more peaceful place to enjoy a
break, maybe sampling some good French bread, cheese and fruit that you've picked up along the way.
Taking into account these benefits, tolls offer good value for money.
Usually, as you join the Autoroute, you go through a Peage. The ticket
machine is on the left hand side. Keep this ticket handy because you
will be required to pay a set fee at the next Peage. This can be paid
in euros, at a booth, or with a credit card at an automated payment
machine. You will probably have to stop several times on your journey
through France. You can plan your route and even find out how much you
will have to pay, ahead of time, by using the Route Planner on the Michelin
Mapfinder website.
It is important to be aware that if you have European Breakdown Cover
from any of the major UK roadside assistance organisations they cannot
assist you on the Autoroute itself. You will have to be towed off the
Autoroute first. You can request assistance at one of the phone booths,
located every 2 km. It is always worth reading through your policy before
you begin your journey.
Speed camera detectors are actually illegal in France, even if they
are switched off or packed away. If found in your car, the gendarme
can confiscate the device and issue a hefty fine. There is a helpful
site Sécurité Routièrer which, as well as dealing
with a variety of motoring regulations, publishes a list of the location
of speed cameras across France. But be aware that there may be a mobile
speed trap anywhere along your route!
So, how you plan to travel is your choice. The local roads are often
a real delight if you have the time. Autoroutes are a quick and efficient
way of covering long distances, but do take advantage of the opportunity
for frequent breaks.
At a glance:
- Drive on the Right
- 1 person = 1 place = 1 belt
- Speed limit: 110 km/h on dual-carriage ways and 130 km/h on motorways
-
Please note these speed restrictions change in wet conditions, e.g.
130 km/h is reduced to 110 km/h.
- You must be at least 18 years of age with a full UK licence for most
areas in France. Drivers who have passed their test within the previous
two years are restricted to speeds of below 110kph on motorways.
- Autoroutes - service stations every 30-40km
- Autoroutes - rest areas every 15km or so
- Autoroutes – emergency phones every 2km
- Speed camera detection devices are illegal
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