Route advice for family holiday to France

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS EURO DRIVING FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
1

Hi all,

We are travelling down to the Village of Cambes, Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitania in France on 12th August, going Eurotunnel to Calais(obviously) which wasn’t my idea, I wanted to fly out and hire a car there, anyway I digress.

Wondered if I could steal some info from those of you who work the mainland, what would be the best route for us to take, and what stuff do we need to take in the car in terms of staying legal, is it still warning triangle, bulbs, think hi viz for all passengers now etc.

Cheers

Jon

2

Just to note, the route I’m looking at is Calais, Rouen, Le Mans, Tours, Poitiers, Niort, Bordeaux and come inland on the a62 that will throw us out to where we need to be, sound good??

3

garnerlives:
Just to note, the route I’m looking at is Calais, Rouen, Le Mans, Tours, Poitiers, Niort, Bordeaux and come inland on the a62 that will throw us out to where we need to be, sound good??

That sounds about right. You do need to comply with their Laws which include having a hi-viz vest in the car for every passenger. I would Google for a comprehensive list if I were you.

4

garnerlives:
what stuff do we need to take in the car in terms of staying legal, is it still warning triangle, bulbs, think hi viz for all passengers now etc.

Also GB Sticker or GB Euro flag Number Plate.

5

garnerlives:
going Eurotunnel to Calais(obviously)

Have they moved the French end? :wink:

6

garnerlives:
Just to note, the route I’m looking at is Calais, Rouen, Le Mans, Tours, Poitiers, Niort, Bordeaux and come inland on the a62 that will throw us out to where we need to be, sound good??

Take the RN10 from Poitiers to Bordeaux, save a bit money, good food and runs very well!

7

caledoniandream:

garnerlives:
Just to note, the route I’m looking at is Calais, Rouen, Le Mans, Tours, Poitiers, Niort, Bordeaux and come inland on the a62 that will throw us out to where we need to be, sound good??

Take the RN10 from Poitiers to Bordeaux, save a bit money, good food and runs very well!

You should have gone this week you could have watched a bit of Grasbahn at La Reole. Unfortunately I cannot go as I have 2 medical assessments, but neither can the three riders in my signature as they are all laid in Hospital.

uem-moto.eu/LinkClick.aspx?f … &tabid=190

The other good reason to go there is that it is in the right area for St Emillion :laughing:

8

Lifted this from brittany-interent.com…

Some items you should be carrying when Driving in France:
UK Driving License - Compulsory to carry this when driving in France - failure = on the spot fines!

Car registration documents - log book must be carried with you at all times. This can also incur an on the spot fine!

Headlamp Adaptors - UK vehicles are designed for driving on the left hand side of the road this will mean that when driving in France you will dazzle oncoming drivers. Failure to adapt your headlamps will render the vehicle UNFIT for the road. invalidating your motor insurance and could result in a spot fine

GB Stickers - these are required by International Law to indicate Country of Registration

Warning Triangles - In France warning triangle must be placed 50 - 150 metres behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic if your vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident. Hazard warning lights alone are not sufficient

Fluorescent Safety Vest - Obligatory to carry this in your vehicle while driving in France, in fact it must be within reach so that if you have an accident or breakdown, you can get out of the car you were driving with it on, so don’t put it in the boot of your car!

Spare Bulbs - All car lamps, lenses and reflectors must be in working order at all times - failure to replace a broken bulb could result in a spot fine so always carry spares for all your car lights

Spare Specs - Yes a spare pair of glasses are required if you have contact lenses and are going to be driving in France.

First Aid Kit - A First Aid kit must be carried in your vehicle at all times when driving in France.

Fire Extinguisher - If you fail to render assistance in the event of a fire or take necessary precautions to prevent a fire from escalating is an offence

Insurance Policies - If the driver/owner of a vehicle fails to comply with the law and fails to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy for the country he intends to visit could result in the insurance company repudiating liability under the Policy.

Failure to Comply - On the spot fines can be imposed In the event of prosecution and conviction for failure to comply with the legal requirements of EU countries.

On the Spot Fines - Fines have to be paid on the spot in the local currency with travellers cheques and credit cards not being acceptable. Inability to pay may in some countries result in the vehicle being impounded until fine has been paid. Whilst a visitor driving in France will probably have to pay on the spot fines, residents often are given 45 days to pay. Residents can pay radar camera fines online here: amendes.gouv.fr.

Car Insurance - Green Card - The majority of all car insurance policies provide a minimum level of cover required to drive a car on mainland Europe. It is always worth checking with your insurance company prior to driving in France.
It is also very important that you collect a ‘green card’ from your car insurance provider prior to leaving the country. A ‘green card’ is an internationally recognised document to prove that your vehicle meets the minimum car insurance requirement for driving in France. Some insurance companies do charge for a green card so please check…

Hope this helps, have fun!!! :stuck_out_tongue: :stuck_out_tongue:

9

If your triangle is more than 3 years old it might be illegal,it has to be marked with a CE marking now.

10

caledoniandream:

garnerlives:
Just to note, the route I’m looking at is Calais, Rouen, Le Mans, Tours, Poitiers, Niort, Bordeaux and come inland on the a62 that will throw us out to where we need to be, sound good??

Take the RN10 from Poitiers to Bordeaux, save a bit money, good food and runs very well!

take the exit named poitiers sud direction for Angouleme its practically dual carriageway all the way and plenty of truckstops to treat the family to eat :laughing: :laughing:

11

i,m hireing a car in medoc airport on the 12 aug, does anybody know if vests ar supplied?

12

browncow2:
i,m hireing a car in medoc airport on the 12 aug, does anybody know if vests ar supplied?

Yes, but most times only 2, need to ask for more if you need more.
Depends on the company, but sometimes they charge you for them.

It’s a bit like robes, towels and slippers in a hotel, if it’s not to heavy to lift, not to hot to touch or not welded to the floor it will get nicked :grimacing:

13

browncow2:
i,m hireing a car in medoc airport on the 12 aug, does anybody know if vests ar supplied?

just chuck a couple in your suitcase dafydd its not as if they’re heavy :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
make sure though you don’t put the greasy work ones in with the clean clothes :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

14

is it compulsory now in spain james?

15

yes you need them mate :slight_smile:

16

browncow2:
is it compulsory now in spain james?

compulsory to have a vest for each person in the vehicle but i don’t think coaches have a box with 50 or 60 vests in :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
also in spain you need 2 triangles instead of 1 :exclamation: :exclamation:

17

Suprised Brit pete hasnt been on yet - a la snow chains !! :laughing:

18

Suedehead:
Suprised Brit pete hasnt been on yet - a la snow chains !! :laughing:

make sure you go via lux for cheap fuel :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

19

Okay ■■■■ und Doof ,I will remember That :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

Just in case you do not know who they are LOOK-HERE

20

brit pete:
Okay ■■■■ und Doof ,I will remember That :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

have you not listened to alex lester yet pete? you made it into the 4.15 canteen :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: