Basics to take on a trip to France

[Ian Hulley]

You aren't allowed to take vehicles that run on LPG in the tunnel!!!!!!!!!

If you are properly registered as a duel-fuel vehicle then you won't get past the 'Enter Vehicle Registration' part of the Eurotunnel booking form.

[dearjohn]

Hi, if you love your currys,kormas etc, bring them with you, can be impossible to find in smaller towns etc. Throw out that old blackened and warped frying pan, get a nice Teflon one instead. Theres no fun in scrubbing burnt bits off your pan when you are ment to be enjoying yer self!
NIgel in Ireland

[Ralf85]

Vehicles on French toll roads are costed on their height. There are height sensors at the entrance barrier to every toll road so the vehicle charge is registered there. Higher vehicles will be charged at a commercial vehicle rate. I have a pop top. However, I did not realise the significance of these sensors until I stopped carrying stuff sticking up in the air on my roof rack. Once I stopped using the rack, the toll costs dropped away to the cost of a normal car. So if you have a high top or packed roof rack you will always pay more.

Motorways are good on long journeys with limited time. Drive at a steady 50mph and the cost of the toll will be more than offset by the mileage saved and the slow progress on normal roads (They have gone speed limit mad going through deserted towns and villages so your average speed will drop to about 25mph). Drive at 60mph and you will be fighting with trucks all the way. The views from motorways in the North of France are not very exciting but as you move further south by toll road eg over the massif central the scenery is fantastic.

I have been going to France in my westie for three weeks every summer since 1984. I would advise you that if you want to travel far south it will realistically take you at least two days each way by toll roads, driving flat out. If you do not take toll roads then three days of hard driving each way is necessary. I tend to use motorways for most of the day and then use N roads for a change.

So if you are only going for two weeks do not travel so far. France has so much to offer north, south, east and west,from high snow covered mountains to beautiful lakes and fantastic sandy beaches. The Michelin Atlas is the best guide as it shows scenic routes and covers the tiniest roads that do not show up elsewhere. Buy a 2010 Michelin Atlas and start to plan your intinerary early. It is fun choosing the options. Always remember the scenic wiggly roads, be they routes national N roads (our A roads) or routes department D roads (our B roads)can bring your average driving speed down to about 15mph so use them occasionally. Also get a Michelin Camping Book, preferably in English. Get european cover from Green Flag or Britannia Rescue. You should find them cheaper than the AA or RAC and their call out times are much better. Such cover is important in August because most garages close for the month. I have discovered from experience that the only people who get any garage services are those using a breakdown service. If you turn up at a garage that is open you are likely to told sorry we are only dealing with vehicles via breakdown services. Bon Voyage and maybe see you there. Mine's the cream coloured westie with the side planks.