Member Since: 04 Mar 2008
Location: Garstang, Lancs
Posts: 937
France in a few weeks
I'm off to France in the caravan at the end of the month. I am sailing to Bilbao and staying Biarritz for 5 nights, Dordogne for 10 nights and Loire for 5 nights.
I will probably avoid the toll roads as my caravan is the highest toll with it being a 5th wheeler
Member Since: 20 Jun 2011
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 36
If possible try to avoid travelling the 1st weekend of August as the whole of France goes on holiday then. Most trucks are banned from the roads on Sundays so tend to be quieter. Apart from that the roads are excellent and a pleasure to drive on.
Member Since: 31 Dec 2011
Location: lydd
Posts: 2776
don't you have to carry, Breathalyzer and hi'vis vests?2009 Discovery 3 HSE - Gone
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5th Jul 2013 7:30 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
Breathalyser requirement has been binned. In the way that only the French can do it's still a leagal requirement to have 2 but they are not enforcing it officially. All ISTR.
Need a hi-viz per passenger that get out of the car in the event of an incedent. Driver must be able to get to theirs whilst still sat in the car. I drap one through the grab handle so the police can see it when they go past and therefore have no reason to pull me in Mark.
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5th Jul 2013 7:48 pm
Macpic
Member Since: 28 Apr 2013
Location: Rambouillet
Posts: 167
DSL wrote:
Breathalyser requirement has been binned. In the way that only the French can do it's still a leagal requirement to have 2 but they are not enforcing it officially. All ISTR.
No, they've been binned as the ones for sale on the market were not reliable enough.
However, you are due to carry spare bulbs, a warning triangle and high viz vests.
5th Jul 2013 8:07 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73121
Glad never bothered buying any.
5th Jul 2013 8:44 pm
pshawfocus
Member Since: 29 Jun 2013
Location: Croydon
Posts: 73
I'm off to Dinan (about 20mins south of St Malo) in August, taking the Disco for the first time with 4 mates. The gîte we're staying at is a couple of miles off the main road, perched between some farms. I've done the trip and stayed in this gîte numerous times before and can highly recommend it. Hoping the weather we're promised for the next few weeks continues into August.
Never had a problem driving in France (through, across, around etc) - the French autoroutes are very well surfaced, generally smooth flowing and French drivers lane discipline is often better than here. Glad that the breathaliser testers have been stopped. I've always carried a couple of high vis jackets in the car along with a spare bulb set (that reminds me, one of my reversing lights is out). Only other advise would be to take extra screen wash if travelling during the summer along with a squeegee to clear your screen of dead flies when you stop to stretch your legs / refuel. And never travel without TomTom giving live traffic updates.
6th Jul 2013 5:47 am
mal_NW
Member Since: 04 Mar 2008
Location: Garstang, Lancs
Posts: 937
johnnyknife wrote:
If possible try to avoid travelling the 1st weekend of August as the whole of France goes on holiday then. Most trucks are banned from the roads on Sundays so tend to be quieter. Apart from that the roads are excellent and a pleasure to drive on.
Well be in southern Brittany for the last two weeks of August, Portsmouth Caen then down through Rennes to our house in Chelun, will keep my eyes peeled, I did spot / was spotted a fellow forum member over there a couple of years ago
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6th Jul 2013 8:35 am
sean 471
Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2990
Driving is easy in France there at the moment on the il de re. Just watch out for access roads around the site. These can be tight with overhanging trees.
6th Jul 2013 10:30 am
mal_NW
Member Since: 04 Mar 2008
Location: Garstang, Lancs
Posts: 937
beanie wrote:
Well be in southern Brittany for the last two weeks of August, Portsmouth Caen then down through Rennes to our house in Chelun, will keep my eyes peeled, I did spot / was spotted a fellow forum member over there a couple of years ago
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