Breakdowns on French motorways

[Ralf85]

Following a discussion elsewhere, i thought that I would highlight something for everybody's benefit. If you break down on a French motorway or motorway service area you have to call the local police. They arrange for a breakdown truck to collect you. You cannot use you own breakdown service for this. This can be very frustrating but there is no option. Once your vehicle has been delivered to a a garage off the motorway, you can then contact your breakdown service to arrange what to do next.

On the latter point make sure that you have a reliable breakdown service, before you go anywhere. If you do not the cost of deaing with the consequences can be horrendously expensive. Bon route!

Patrick

[kevtherev]

So presuming this removal service is not free .. is it regulated?

[Ralf85]

So presuming this removal service is not free .. is it regulated?

It is organised by the police. The time I had to use it I was taken to a garage and my breakdown service later agreed for them to carry out the work so it did not cost me a cent.

Patrick

[kevtherev]

OK thanks.
I suppose all breakdown services here know about this french "service" would you think?

[Hacksawbob]

Who you Gonna call? is there a number to dial? nuef nuef nuef? maybe a Wiki entry coming on. With a card to read out, of what to say.
"Mon T Vingt Cinq est Mort!"

[kevtherev]

they call them popo en francais .. Mon popo est mort

[Ralf85]

Who you Gonna call? is there a number to dial? nuef nuef nuef? maybe a Wiki entry coming on. With a card to read out, of what to say.
"Mon T Vingt Cinq est Mort!"

If you break down on the motorway itself there are telephone boxes linked to local police so straightforward. However, it is unlikely that the person who answers will speak English. So have a note in French saying what the problem is. The other problem encountered is you will need to give your vehicle index numbers and letters pronounced in the French stylee. So I suggest you learn this before you go. If you break down in a service area I suggest you ask somebody in the gas station what the local gendarmerie number is.

So if possible break down on ordinary roads, then you can just call your breakdown service and they can sort it out for you.

Patrick

[kevtherev]

Very useful information Patrick
Thanks for sharing

[Hacksawbob]

This may be a daft question but is this only on Toll roads? or does this apply to all French motorways, Is it easy to tell when you are on one? (like the blue signs in UK) And if its safe to limp on is it better to get to an A road? (You would be dealing with your own breakdown Co. then which would be preferable.) Is there a charge for the Police service? Do you have some say where they drop you?

[fall-apart-dave]

A very useful thread! Thank you!!

[KarlT]

If going to Italy with no time restraints.....Don't take the motorway!!

[paovins]

Indeed, it is certainly better not to take any motorway in France.. Normal routes are much more fun to drive.
Very useful topic, I wish I read it a month ago!!!

Cheers
Paolo

[pictonroad]

Yep, see my post on the other thread...

If you're really lucky, they'll close the road for you too!











30 seconds later it was dropped on the sump, I lost humour and photos became less of a priority.....

[dandaz]

Just out of intrest why did you take the rear drum off to change a puncher? and why was`nt the vehicle jacked up?

Toll roads are better and faster if you want to get A to B in the shortest time ,also they have airs [service stations]where you can sleep for free and they have police patrolling these so pretty safe...


when you break down pick up the orange phone and say......


palez vous anglaise?....

if they say NON...

say la moteur mort ,la voiture casse....

[pictonroad]

Just out of intrest why did you take the rear drum off to change a puncher? and why was`nt the vehicle jacked up?

on the off chance you aren't joking, the clip went through the tire, it deflated pretty much instantly at 60 mph and the wheel ripped off...