Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
Driving into France in a few weeks
Hi all,
Has anyone driven into France recently? We have just booked a Gite with nice big pool down in the Dordogne for early September for about 11 days.
Will be going with my sister and her family in 2 separate cars.
I think we will mostly be travelling through the night as we have a baby. Probably tunnel mid afternoon on the way out, then drive down, arriving early hours.
Haven’t been abroad since the Brexit / COVID chaos (came back from somewhere early because of COVID), but haven’t driven in Europe since Xmas 2019.
This is what the route is looking like
Will plan to stop somewhere north of Paris, Probably around 17:30 to feed our baby, then put her to sleep and crack on. Probably need to stop for fuel again after another 3 hours or so.
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
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20th Aug 2021 9:10 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14345
Nice. I did that journey many times over the past 26 years to our family home in the Dordogne.
We used to do it in one hit from Bath to St. Genies with me driving through the night. Took 14 hours door to door via the Tunnel.
Also get a toll pass. It makes life so much easier.
Where are you staying?New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
20th Aug 2021 10:27 pm
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
Cheers Moo.
Which toll tag do you recommend? I can see it being useful when everyone is asleep in the car, rather than having to wake my wife up to pay on her side!
I think we are staying near a place called Doissat. I haven’t done any research or have a clue about the area, it was all booked by my sister.
Do you have any recommendations on places to visit, or things to see?
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
21st Aug 2021 7:09 am
sailormike
Member Since: 04 Apr 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 180
Watching this with interest.
We are going to a French Gite in September.
I believe the requirements for a Green Card that came in in January has ended but will be calling A-plan who do the insurance next week.
Also the euro flag on number plates is no longer correct, it should be a “UK” on a blue background the old GB stickers are also out of date. Got some stickers from Amazon.
We have printed out our NHS vacation certificates and french + English versions of the declaration form that has to be signed.
As we have been double jabbed my understanding is that we done need pre departure tests or tests / isolation on return.
Grateful for any comment or corrections to my understanding above.Disco 4
Burstner motorhome
BMW 225e (only 1/2 way to electric)
21st Aug 2021 8:23 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
Don’t forget to get the French app to upload your NHS vaccination QR code into. Not an option if you’re unfortunate enough to have been vaccinated N of the border. Pass is under “TousAntiCovid” for Apple, and looks needed to get into most things once in France.
Re tag, don’t know what’s current but they are very, very useful and saves waking passenger up or interesting interaction with gear stick if driving solo. I’ve got an APRR one as they deal with U.K. peeps and credit cards, other types restricted you as they needed a French CC number or bank account. Eurotunnel did one themselves but no idea if they still do.
We had to go to Nantes last year ... looking at the map it looks like you'll be doing much of that route ?
Be warned that Google maps on the phone took us through Rouen (I think the D4 inbuilt nav wanted to go round it). No idea if it is meant to save time but southbound it was easy to take wrong turns ... and as we soon spotted 2 or 3 other GB stickered vehicles doing the same daft detour, I suspect it's common.
When I go next time, I'll have a proper map with me and pre-plan it at least.
Other than that, a very pleasant drive..
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
Rouen is just a little joke the French like to play on the English. They paid all the sat nav mapping companies to route everything within a 50 mile radius through the town, then like to randomly close parts of the route.
See also Caen.I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
21st Aug 2021 9:52 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14345
robpenrose wrote:
Cheers Moo.
Which toll tag do you recommend? I can see it being useful when everyone is asleep in the car, rather than having to wake my wife up to pay on her side!
I think we are staying near a place called Doissat. I haven’t done any research or have a clue about the area, it was all booked by my sister.
Do you have any recommendations on places to visit, or things to see?
I had the Emovis tag. £6.95 for the year then you just pay the tolls. It invoiced every 3 months. Really good and great customer service.
Sarlat is nice - market Saturday and Wednesday. Try and get a table in Le Presidial.
Canoeing on the Dordogne is fun with kids.
Josephine Bakers place is worth a visit. They do a really good birds of prey flying exhibition during the day.
Le Bugue - The Aquarium is pretty good for kids and there is a weird but interesting early 1900's 'fun fair' next to it. http://www.aquariumperigordnoir.com
Other than that there are loads of pretty villages, castles and chateaus, brocantes, grottes (caves) etc. and vin yards, particularly near Cahors. Also, depending where you are, most villages have an open market / evening communal dinner which is great fun. Just take your own cutlery, glasses and vino etc and tuck in. There is a great one in St. Genies every Wednesday.
There is also a water park at Souillac for the kids. Gets very busy so get there early to nab your loungers. Domme and Monpazier are also worth a visit.
Enjoy. It's a great place and we have many many happy memories.
Nearly forgot - most shops close between 12-14.00 and Sunday opening is hit and miss. Take bug repellent and buy a can of Kapo to kill the Frelons. Big man-eating wasps!New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
Last edited by Moo on 21st Aug 2021 10:07 am. Edited 1 time in total
21st Aug 2021 10:01 am
stick
Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: hants
Posts: 604
Quote:
As we have been double jabbed my understanding is that we done need pre departure tests or tests / isolation on return
I thought that, even if double jabbed, one needs to have a test before returning, and proof of a booked test once back, and a passenger locator form
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14345
Correct. PCR within 72 hours of returning, book a day 2 test and complete the Passenger Locator form. You need the confirmation code for the day 2 return test complete it.
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
Last edited by Moo on 21st Aug 2021 10:11 am. Edited 1 time in total
21st Aug 2021 10:10 am
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
sailormike wrote:
Watching this with interest.
We are going to a French Gite in September.
I believe the requirements for a Green Card that came in in January has ended but will be calling A-plan who do the insurance next week.
Also the euro flag on number plates is no longer correct, it should be a “UK” on a blue background the old GB stickers are also out of date. Got some stickers from Amazon.
We have printed out our NHS vacation certificates and french + English versions of the declaration form that has to be signed.
As we have been double jabbed my understanding is that we done need pre departure tests or tests / isolation on return.
Grateful for any comment or corrections to my understanding above.
Ah, that’s interesting. My understanding was we needed to have the following tests:
Fit to Travel Test - Lateral Flow ok (but not NHS)
Return Test, prior to travelling back Lateral Flow ok (but not NHS) Either take test with you, or locally.
2nd Day Test - PCR required.
We are double vaccinated, but that’s my understanding for an Amber country.
I think the GB to UK change starts from 28th September
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
21st Aug 2021 10:10 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14345
See links above. You need a PCR test to come back. I was in Madrid on Thursday and forgot for the return!
Embarrassing because I've been travelling for the past 5 weeks so should have known
I was turned back at the gate so had to find a test centre in the airport PDQ. They did it and turned it around for me in 30mins for 92 euros so got the next flight back 2 hours later. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
21st Aug 2021 10:13 am
sailormike
Member Since: 04 Apr 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 180
This is from the uk government website
Travellers who are fully vaccinated do not need an essential reason to travel to France and do not need to self-isolate on arrival. From 18 July, fully vaccinated adults no longer need to present evidence of a negative test result before travel. Fully vaccinated travellers will need to present the following documents:
a completed ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. This can be found on the French government’s website
proof of vaccination status
Further detail on who is considered fully vaccinated by the French government, and how you can prove your status, can be found below under ‘vaccination status’.
If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to complete the certificate to leave metropolitan France, unless you are travelling to a country on France’s red list.Disco 4
Burstner motorhome
BMW 225e (only 1/2 way to electric)
21st Aug 2021 10:16 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14345
But returning to the UK requires:
PCR with in 72 hours
Passenger locator form
Day two PCR
Don't for get the trip back!New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
21st Aug 2021 10:22 am
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2138
Is that to get into France then?
Gov website still showing this to return to UK:
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
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