First French trip - tips?

[pchmlk]

Morning

We’re still fairly new to this, have been away a lot since we’ve got the van but this will be our longest trip and first away from UK.

We’re away for 10 days in October, first half in Bordeaux then the second down in Hossegor.

just trying to think of necessary items for France that might not be obvious.

The van has a crit air sticker already, I’ve got an emovis tag and a mifi with big data sim for France. Do I need an adapter for the EHU cable? Any suggestions for non-UK travel bits and pieces much appreciated.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Do you know about french rules regarding breathalysers? Warning triangleS, and hi Vis vests?

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

The adaptor the van came with (schuko to blue 16 amp) should be all you need

 

[wildslammer22]

Do you know about french rules regarding breathalysers? Warning triangleS, and hi Vis vests?

Don’t need to carry breathalysers any more. Triangle and hi-vis vests still compulsory.

 

[pchmlk]

Do you know about french rules regarding breathalysers? Warning triangleS, and hi Vis vests?

Got the triangle and vests. Alco tests have been unnecessary for several years now.

I bought my van second hand, no adapter with it.

 

[pchmlk]

The adaptor the van came with (schuko to blue 16 amp) should be all you need

Ta, ordered!

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

triangles....france seem to need one front and back

 

[pchmlk]

Blimey. Right…on it.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

Driving in France for new drivers and first-time travellers

If you are a new driver or are driving in France for the first time, our guide gives you all the information you need to safely enjoy your travels.

www.leshuttle.com

seems to be good advice

 

[pchmlk]

Cheers. I’ve driven loads in France, more concerned with cali/camping specifics.

 

[ThomasHJ]

Do you know about french rules regarding breathalysers? Warning triangleS, and hi Vis vests?

breathalysers are no longer mandatory (since 2020).

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

You could try the "Camperstop" app, 7euros per year, lots of useful stops, service points, easily accessible on your phone

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

breathalysers are no longer mandatory (since 2020).

Correct...however you try telling Mr Plod that when he asks!

 

[ThomasHJ]

Morning

We’re still fairly new to this, have been away a lot since we’ve got the van but this will be our longest trip and first away from UK.

We’re away for 10 days in October, first half in Bordeaux then the second down in Hossegor.

just trying to think of necessary items for France that might not be obvious.

The van has a crit air sticker already, I’ve got an emovis tag and a mifi with big data sim for France. Do I need an adapter for the EHU cable? Any suggestions for non-UK travel bits and pieces much appreciated.

I visit France almost every year and besides an adapter to make sure you can put your van on hookup, and required saftery-items in your vehicle I honestly can't think of a single thing you'd need in France that you don't need in the UK.

 

[pchmlk]

I visit France almost every year and besides an adapter to make sure you can put your van on hookup, and required saftery-items in your vehicle I honestly can't think of a single thing you'd need in France that you don't need in the UK.

Great, thanks Thomas that’s reassuring. I’m overthinking things.

 

[SilverVespa]

Morning

We’re still fairly new to this, have been away a lot since we’ve got the van but this will be our longest trip and first away from UK.

We’re away for 10 days in October, first half in Bordeaux then the second down in Hossegor.

just trying to think of necessary items for France that might not be obvious.

The van has a crit air sticker already, I’ve got an emovis tag and a mifi with big data sim for France. Do I need an adapter for the EHU cable? Any suggestions for non-UK travel bits and pieces much appreciated.

Must see is the great dunes du Pilat

 

[ThomasHJ]

Great, thanks Thomas that’s reassuring. I’m overthinking things.

You are going to have a great time!

 

[AdamsFamily]

Depending on where you're driving through, you may the Crit'Air Sticker

CRIT'AIR STICKER

Order HERE

 

[AdamsFamily]

Depending on where you're driving through, you may the Crit'Air Sticker

CRIT'AIR STICKER

Order HERE

Apologies, missed the bit where you said you had one!!!

 

[RockinNRollin]

More of a general driving tip, brush up on a few French driving rules, specifically speed limits (typical defaults), how they change in different weather conditions (they reduce in rain and reduce again in fog) and "priorité à droite" (basically warning you to give way to the right in some specific locations, it feels really counter-intuitive given you're driving on the right! Only tend to get it in small villages/backroads). Speed cameras look very different to UK ones and aren't always obvious; just stick to the speed limits (see the bit above about brushing up on the limits!).

My experience earlier this year of driving 2000 miles around France (first time properly driving in France) is the French are generally better drivers than in the UK (not hard I guess), they are pretty obedient of the rules of the road and will expect you to be too. I enjoyed driving in France far more than most parts of the UK.

 

[jimmywease]

Morning

We’re still fairly new to this, have been away a lot since we’ve got the van but this will be our longest trip and first away from UK.

We’re away for 10 days in October, first half in Bordeaux then the second down in Hossegor.

just trying to think of necessary items for France that might not be obvious.

The van has a crit air sticker already, I’ve got an emovis tag and a mifi with big data sim for France. Do I need an adapter for the EHU cable? Any suggestions for non-UK travel bits and pieces much appreciated.

If you haven’t already booked & paid, then I would recommend ACSI camping card for discounted off-season sites. The discount is worthwhile and the app is really good for tailoring your search to your specific needs.

ACSI Webshop | The starting point for a great holiday

50 years’ experience: Reliable campsite information thanks to annual inspections | Extra discounts for members

webshop.acsi.eu

 

[Dyddi]

Euro coin for supermarket trolley,
20c, 50c, 1€ for toilet entry (most machines then give you a voucher to recoup some of the cost on something you didn't want anyway)
National speed limit is now 80kmh except where it isn't and the local mayor has put 2 fingers up.
You no longer need yellow headlamp bulbs, oh those were the days ....

 

[AdamsFamily]

If you haven’t already booked & paid, then I would recommend ACSI camping card for discounted off-season sites. The discount is worthwhile and the app is really good for tailoring your search to your specific needs.

ACSI Webshop | The starting point for a great holiday

50 years’ experience: Reliable campsite information thanks to annual inspections | Extra discounts for members

webshop.acsi.eu

I read about this ACSI somewhere else on here POI's) I think - I did wonder what it was... so thank you for the link.

 

[The Fockers]

You no longer need yellow headlamp bulbs, oh those were the days ....

You never did. France introduces laws that are unenforceable on foriegn visitors. Yellow headlamps was one and more recently, breathalizers is/was another one. BTW, I've been riding/driving around Europe since the 1970s.

 

[California Dreamer]

Speaking from experience- I would be aware that some smaller service stations may not accept payment with foreign bank or credit cards. So may be best to fill up at larger ones and not leave it too late! Maybe I’ve just been unlucky - this has happened to me twice in the last few years.


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