We`re getting the use of a motorhome next year to tour Europe for our hols. I was wondering if anyone knew if the law was the same over there regarding dogs.
I know in this country its against the law to drive a motorhome without a West Highland Terrier, or some such small daft dog, on the lap of the driver or passenger whilst the vehicle is moving, but is it the same over there.
Also, what about the smell?..All together now!!! …
There’s bound to be someone along shortly quoting an EU directive 
I know that the autoroutes used to charge you the same as a full size coach…
harry:
I know that the autoroutes used to charge you the same as a full size coach…
Hiya not quite as much but more than a car, unless you have a converted van where you can sneak under
the 2 metre hight barraier. we go every year its ok. almost no traffic when out of the citys. the French
also have the parking for campers in place. don’t stay on motorways parking areas go into the towns.
don’t eat in restaurants its to expensive really expensive.maybe on your first trip you’ll not get the trip
just right. i don’t mean the route. the shopping or parking. we have a sat nav to find parking places.
you can buy a book with all the parking places in. to find the parking place you go by a grid reference.
the dogs in the front bit…if its the 4 legged ones no problem. no problem with the two legged one either.
go for it, you’ll love it.
john
I agree with what has been stated.
France is the best country in the world for campervans in my opinion just about every town has purpose built “aires” for "camping cars "
They charge a small fee to cover services some are free but sadly not many these days.
Small dog on lap optional
Thanks guys. I was just being a bit daft with the dog thing, but I will clearly need to do some homework between now and next year. Were going for 4 weeks, so should get the hang of it before we come back! Yes, Ive heard about the book you can get with the parking places in. We`ll get one.
Cheers.
GOG47:
There’s bound to be someone along shortly quoting an EU directive
and someone else to tell him he is wrong!
You can get an app to find the nearest aires to you,
heres mine parked up under some big bridge!
(the Millau Viaduct)
if your going to cook a load of meth in the desert over a 2 day period, it’s advised not to leave your keys in the ignition of your motor home or your likely to deaden the battery 
cheekymonkey:
Also, what about the smell?..All together now!!! …
the dog will just have to get used to it 
zippo:
I agree with what has been stated.
France is the best country in the world for campervans in my opinion just about every town has purpose built “aires” for "camping cars "
They charge a small fee to cover services some are free but sadly not many these days.
Small dog on lap optional0
Look closely at this, made us laugh anyway
sorry but don’t see it ■■?
ashbyspannerman:
You can get an app to find the nearest aires to you,
heres mine parked up under some big bridge!
(the Millau Viaduct)
That’s brave parking 
You may get a bottle of truckers tizer through your sunroof
speedyguy:
ashbyspannerman:
You can get an app to find the nearest aires to you,
heres mine parked up under some big bridge!
(the Millau Viaduct)That’s brave parking
Hiya not saying the drivers tizer dosn’t happen in France, reason been you can see 6 or 7 transport
stops within a 50 mile distance all over France. on the fast routes there are toilets at close intervals and
when you do use them you don’t have to walk half a mile to get to them like in the uk.
John
Get a copy of the camping Michelin guide for France ISBN: 2067186612 HERE this book lists the camp sites (both private and municipal) available in the towns around France, it also list the facilities, prices, location etc.
The book is usually updated and a new 2014 version should be published around Feb/Mar.
If your taking a satnav,
I would highly recommend downloading and installing onto your satnav Archies Campings POI`s HERE the site is free to use and is well recommended by many forums.
For European breakdown cover,
I can highly recommend joining the ADAC (the German AA) the singleplus+ membership for €79.50 ( around £65+) you get 12 months cover for you, and anyone in the vehicle (any verhicle up to 7.5T) the plus+ aspect of the membership is the repatriation (back to the UK) aspect of the cover.
I have the ADAC cover which covers me for both my motorcycle and car, I can even call them out here in the UK, and theyll send the AA out. The only real limitation to this cover is that towing to the nearest garage is limited to the value of €200. If you dont believe how good the ADAC are just Google them and read what others think inc those on motorhome forums. If you do consider joining the ADAC and get confused by the process, as the website doesnt accept addresses outside Germany PM me and Ill try to help.
The easiest way I found to join the ADAC was amending/filling out this form HERE and either FAXing it, or emailing it direct to their membership office. Dont worry the details on the word doc ain`t mine & are fictitious.
The ADAC card also gives a discount off various things inc fuel at Shell stations across Europe of around €0.01-€0.05 per litre SEE HERE
Using the French autoroutes?? why not get a libre-t toll tag?
to get anywhere in France fast, your going to end up using the efficient but boring autoroute, more and more of the toll peages (booths) are unmanned and only accept card or TAG payments
I have an APRR tag
APRR is one of the few French toll companies that will allow non French residents / French bank account holders to have a toll TAG. Mines linked to a fee free credit card so I only pay for what I use. The initial cost for the TAG when ordering online is €10 which is refunded on your 1st bill so basically its free & there is no annual service fee which other companies such as (Sanif tolling) levy & I only pay for the months I use it, with a minor €1.60 charge for billing online, or €2.50 for paper billing.
As mine is linked to a fee free credit card, I don`t get stung for minimum charges, which can help when using the some of the tolls in the south around Monaco for example where the toll booths are more frequent
4aaaa4dd:
zippo:
I agree with what has been stated.
France is the best country in the world for campervans in my opinion just about every town has purpose built “aires” for "camping cars "
They charge a small fee to cover services some are free but sadly not many these days.
Small dog on lap optional0
Look closely at this, made us laugh anywaysorry but don’t see it ■■?
If you look closely,above the rear window,I think it’s the name of the dealer.
■■■■■■■■■■ or something.
Anyway it made us laugh at the time,childish I know.
It is law for the passenger to read the map for the whole trip.
Joking apart you will need a hi viz vest in case of standing in the road for breakdowns.Or risk a fine.
Two warning triangles required.
No sat navs that detect speed traps.Heavy fine and may seize the vehicle.
No photo copying of vehicle documents.
A safe is ideal to store bank cards/passports and money.
Any hardware shop sells them then drill a hole to bolt it to the floor.A good tyre call out firm to use or break down that gets the van on the ferry and back home.
Stop in the Rouitiers.You are welcome there.Its free to park and have showrers.
The food is brilliant.Six course meal from 10 to 20 euros.Just look to see where all the trucks are parked.Or camions or poids lords.Or pesados depending which country.
Head to Morrocco.Swing by the Estoril/Cascais coast in Lisbon Portugal.Great beaches.Grilled sardines.Praia de Guincho is a good beach to park.Campsite there too.
There are several forums that are specific to motorhomes, with lots of useful information about foreign touring on them. I don’t think I should post on here their details, but I’m sure if you search for motorhome facts, you will find suitable ones. 
We have toured quite a lot in Europe and tend not to use any toll roads. The only one in France we have paid for is to go over the big bridge in the pictures above - well you have to don’t you!
The toll roads are ok if you are in a hurry, but in our motorhome we just take our time and see much more of the villages and towns on the way.
zippo:
I agree with what has been stated.
France is the best country in the world for campervans in my opinion just about every town has purpose built “aires” for "camping cars "
They charge a small fee to cover services some are free but sadly not many these days.
Small dog on lap optional0
Look closely at this, made us laugh anyway
Obviously put the white lines down wrong!
Smart Mart:
zippo:
I agree with what has been stated.
France is the best country in the world for campervans in my opinion just about every town has purpose built “aires” for "camping cars "
They charge a small fee to cover services some are free but sadly not many these days.
Small dog on lap optional0
Look closely at this, made us laugh anywayObviously put the white lines down wrong!
Yes,we’ll spotted.
I remember thinking something similar.
As the name of the German motorhome dealer has been censored,I shall go for a different angle.
First half, sounds like: bank, second half think of well known manufacturer of deserts with corners.
