Motor holiday to France

SignumGB · Jan 17th, 2019, 23:03

Hi,

I am travelling to North West France in the car later in the year for 2 weeks of holiday. We will be taking the ferry over. Any hints/tips? Ie, no Union Jack stickers on the back of the car as I hear Frenchie don't like our flag much and don't want my Volvo keyed/damaged. How are the motorway tolls (Brittany)?

Cheers

I Feel Old · Jan 17th, 2019, 23:17

Ye'll be welcomed with a Saltire.

Have great time.

Teilo1979 · Jan 18th, 2019, 07:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Feel Old

Ye'll be welcomed with a Saltire.

Have great time.

Agree whole heartidly with this, Saltire on mine and Union Jack on other car in our group. Mine was fine other one keyed within 6 hours. Parked next to each other while at our first stop for lunch.

Terry

Julianpms · Jan 18th, 2019, 08:02

You'll find toll info (in English) at autoroutes.fr : just enter your route details.
Otherwise, my main recommendation now would be to watch very carefully the information available from the UK and French governments in the event of a no-deal Brexit (sorry to mention the B-word!). It is likely that you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your UK licence. Check your insurance cover carefully with your insurer. If you plan on taking a pet, the current PETS scheme may be suspended if there is no deal, and new arrangements will apply, at least temporarily.
Please accept this advice in the spirit it is given, i.e. to help you enjoy a trouble-free trip by taking a few sensible precautions. I have lived outside the UK for 25 years and have no wish to engage in a political discussion.

Markos01 · Jan 18th, 2019, 09:07

Do you still need a breathalyser kit in the car and hi-viz vest for each occupant in France?

I had the EU blue 'GB' flag on my number plate which has been fine every time I've been to France, although once another car I was with had a big 'GB' sticker on his boot lid and he definitely seemed to get arsey behaviour on the motorways whilst I got none!

rustytoba · Jan 18th, 2019, 09:14

Hi,

A drive to france all the time I love it all my cars have plane number plates, I always use a white 'GB' plate I carry two pairs of 'NF' breathalizers, spare specticles and a hi-vis all inside the car as the driver is expected to be already wearing the hi-vis when you leave the vehicle to change your spare (if your car has one).

Peage or toll roads are a really valuable tool they are main!y on the autoroutes where most of the services are also take advantage of the thousands of aire thare are areas off the autorote and a lot of the D roads that have toilets, bins and water.

Have fun and enjoy remember France is just as bemused with brexit as we are drive and live as though it never happened.

Scott

xsaab · Jan 18th, 2019, 10:53

Best plan is to get a transponder that will operate on all the French motorways, you then get billed to your bank account or credit card. Saves fumbling with Euro notes and queuing behind all the other peoplpe without a transponder.

See

https://www.emovis-tag.co.uk/

ksmi · Jan 19th, 2019, 08:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julianpms

You'll find toll info (in English) at autoroutes.fr : just enter your route details.
Otherwise, my main recommendation now would be to watch very carefully the information available from the UK and French governments in the event of a no-deal Brexit (sorry to mention the B-word!). It is likely that you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your UK licence. Check your insurance cover carefully with your insurer. If you plan on taking a pet, the current PETS scheme may be suspended if there is no deal, and new arrangements will apply, at least temporarily.
Please accept this advice in the spirit it is given, i.e. to help you enjoy a trouble-free trip by taking a few sensible precautions. I have lived outside the UK for 25 years and have no wish to engage in a political discussion.

I haven't been to France for a few years now, but when I did ,which was quite frequently,I never received anything but kindness from Messieurs-Dames,I have always worked on the 'treat others as you hope they will treat you' and have not been disappointed over the years' So have things changed? Because of 'The pending divorce?' I do hope not! what do you other Francophiles think/find?

Regards,Keith,

S60D5-185 · Jan 19th, 2019, 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksmi

I haven't been to France for a few years now, but when I did ,which was quite frequently,I never received anything but kindness from Messieurs-Dames,I have always worked on the 'treat others as you hope they will treat you' and have not been disappointed over the years' So have things changed? Because of 'The pending divorce?' I do hope not! what do you other Francophiles think/find?

Regards,Keith,

Couldn't agree more Keith.

We have driven to the South of France each year for the last 22 years and I also go frequently on my motorbike. Off to the Alps on it this year.

Never had the slightest problem.

In addition we have done a couple of courses at College for French and that helped enormously.

kenny · Jan 19th, 2019, 09:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Feel Old

Ye'll be welcomed with a Saltire.

Have great time.

Absolutely, I go to France quite a lot and I have often had a grumpy attitude which very quickly changes when I mention eccosse.

Jan 17th, 2019, 23:03	#1
SignumGB XC70 Owner/VOC Member Last Online: Apr 8th, 2024 15:07 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Montreal, QC	Motor holiday to France Hi, I am travelling to North West France in the car later in the year for 2 weeks of holiday. We will be taking the ferry over. Any hints/tips? Ie, no Union Jack stickers on the back of the car as I hear Frenchie don't like our flag much and don't want my Volvo keyed/damaged. How are the motorway tolls (Brittany)? Cheers __________________ 2012 Volvo XC70 3.0L AWD T6 [CAN🍁] 2015 Volvo XC70 2.4L AWD D4 SE LUX - Sold 78,728 Miles (July 2023) [GB] 2012 Volvo XC70 2.4L AWD D3 SE LUX - Written off 76,500 Miles (Aug 2017)[GB]

Jan 18th, 2019, 08:02	#4
Julianpms VOC Member Last Online: Apr 26th, 2020 14:38 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Montfort-l'Amaury	You'll find toll info (in English) at autoroutes.fr : just enter your route details. Otherwise, my main recommendation now would be to watch very carefully the information available from the UK and French governments in the event of a no-deal Brexit (sorry to mention the B-word!). It is likely that you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your UK licence. Check your insurance cover carefully with your insurer. If you plan on taking a pet, the current PETS scheme may be suspended if there is no deal, and new arrangements will apply, at least temporarily. Please accept this advice in the spirit it is given, i.e. to help you enjoy a trouble-free trip by taking a few sensible precautions. I have lived outside the UK for 25 years and have no wish to engage in a political discussion. __________________ 2018 MY V40 T5 R-Design Geartronic

Jan 18th, 2019, 09:07	#5
Markos01 Senior Member Last Online: Apr 4th, 2023 19:12 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: London	Do you still need a breathalyser kit in the car and hi-viz vest for each occupant in France? I had the EU blue 'GB' flag on my number plate which has been fine every time I've been to France, although once another car I was with had a big 'GB' sticker on his boot lid and he definitely seemed to get arsey behaviour on the motorways whilst I got none! __________________ 2010 C30 T5 – Now sadly gone but not forgotten

Jan 18th, 2019, 10:53	#7
xsaab Master Member Last Online: Oct 18th, 2022 15:30 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Waterlooville	Best plan is to get a transponder that will operate on all the French motorways, you then get billed to your bank account or credit card. Saves fumbling with Euro notes and queuing behind all the other peoplpe without a transponder. See https://www.emovis-tag.co.uk/ __________________ from October 2019 a 2020 XC60 R Design Pro B5 from May 2019 to October a 2019 XC60 D4 AWD Inscription with even more bits 2015 to 2019 a 2014 XC60 D5 RDesign, Polestar, lots of cameras and sensors

Jan 17th, 2019, 23:17	#2
I Feel Old Senior Member Last Online: Dec 19th, 2021 21:35 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Inverness	Ye'll be welcomed with a Saltire. Have great time.

Jan 18th, 2019, 09:14	#6
rustytoba Master Member Last Online: Nov 24th, 2023 01:11 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Glasgow	Hi, A drive to france all the time I love it all my cars have plane number plates, I always use a white 'GB' plate I carry two pairs of 'NF' breathalizers, spare specticles and a hi-vis all inside the car as the driver is expected to be already wearing the hi-vis when you leave the vehicle to change your spare (if your car has one). Peage or toll roads are a really valuable tool they are main!y on the autoroutes where most of the services are also take advantage of the thousands of aire thare are areas off the autorote and a lot of the D roads that have toilets, bins and water. Have fun and enjoy remember France is just as bemused with brexit as we are drive and live as though it never happened. Scott

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