Off To France

[squeaky2]

Am thinking about the south of france near carcassone for a week and then maybe northern italy for a week.

Think ive got enough driving down through france this year as it is though 

[5wany]

[quote="squeaky2"]
Am thinking about the south of france near carcassone for a week and then maybe northern italy for a week.

Think ive got enough driving down through france this year as it is though 
[/quote]  I did travel by costal train from North Italy to Rome 10 yrs ago, fantastic scenery.  Would be worth the effort

I had seen a property on the med coast near Perpignan, but thought the drive would be to much on French side for first time holiday with 3yr old and 6mth preg wife, so opted for Britany instead.  Heard Britany can be a bit windy, but coming from Scotland anything south of Birmingham is warm for me.

I prefer to be next to the sea so it had to be a costal location, did also look at a place just north of Monaco with a wee sojorn into Italy, but again the logistics kinda put me off this time round.

Haven't driven any further than @250 miles in any one go in the X5 yet, but done 18K since Dec 2011 and never felt uncomfortable yet, the seats in a BMW is a main factor in my choice of the car, so long drives should just melt by.

[gobiman]

I went Brittany Ferries last year for a long summer break driving through France and came back from Bilbao.
Found the service very good.
The St Malo route (overnight at least) is much more civilised. Generally 8pm - 8 am so you can get on have dinner, drink, kip, up, breakfast etc. which I much prefer. Caen tends to be midnight - 0600 which in practice means only a few hours sleep and then a rush to get off. I went that way and wished I'd gone to St Malo!
As well as the safety stuff already covered, I would suggest two other bits of kit -
1. A powered coolbox for the boot is very useful along with a couple of thermos. The autoroutes have lots of picnic areas with toilets as well as the service stations and we often stopped for a snack.
2. I have a Sanef toll tag which makes paying the tolls much easier with automatic gates. Link below -
https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/

[MJim]

[quote="5wany"]
Haven't driven any further than @250 miles in any one go in the X5 yet, but done 18K since Dec 2011 and never felt uncomfortable yet, the seats in a BMW is a main factor in my choice of the car, so long drives should just melt by.
[/quote]

I've found that the massive difference with traveling in Europe is that on the motorways you spend most of the time travelling at the speed you choose - compared with the UK where congestion / roadworks / other usually mean average of 50 or similar.  250 miles can be done in just c3 hours plus stops.  Still to find solution to kids making a constant racket - so still not exactly relaxing !  Even quickly tire of the DVDs ...
    :judge: :bangin: :jump:  :drive:

[X5Sport]

[quote="MJim"]
Still to find solution to kids making a constant racket - so still not exactly relaxing !  Even quickly tire of the DVDs ...  :judge: :bangin: :jump:
[/quote]

A trailer?

[MJim]

Well I thought the roofbox might come in handy for a bit of peace and quiet but the boys weren't keen ...  )

[535dboy]

[quote="xl5"]
been over a few times and the police really dont bother with you unless you drive like a pratt...
if you do like listening to music then make sure you have loads of cd's cos the french radio is rubbish..
[/quote]
Not sure about the bit about the police

They had a big purge on us Brits when the hi viz jacket rule came our with fines.

Done lots of high speed motoring over there without any probs

I can guarantee that everytime we go over in convoy though we get stopped at the customs on the way out. I think the guys and gals either want to have a nose at the cars or just assume we are drug runners.

[MJim]

[quote="535dboy"]

I think the guys and gals either want to have a nose at the cars or just assume we are drug runners.
[/quote]

Haven't been caught yet then !!?

[535dboy]

[quote="MJim"]
[quote="535dboy"]

I think the guys and gals either want to have a nose at the cars or just assume we are drug runners.
[/quote]

Haven't been caught yet then !!?
[/quote]

Many nooks and crannies on a lotus!

[MJim]

[quote="535dboy"]
[quote="MJim"]
[quote="535dboy"]

I think the guys and gals either want to have a nose at the cars or just assume we are drug runners.
[/quote]

Haven't been caught yet then !!?
[/quote]

Many nooks and crannies on a lotus!

)  )
[/quote]

[gmc15]

Couple more things to note when driving in France.

When you overtake on an autoroute you are required by law to pull back into the inside lane. This is probably why the traffic flows better.
When you reach a village the speed limit is 30mph through the village. The village starts with a sign with the name of the village on and there are no speed signs. The village ends when the village name is crossed out with a red line, and again no speed signs.
The police often have radar guns on approach to toll booths where there are speed signs reducing to a quite low speed. They then pull you over after the booth.
In theory they can time you between toll booths and calculate your average speed, but I have not heard of anyone being done this way.
Some signs warning of a fixed speed camera have been removed, so you have to look out for them.
There are fixed cameras on some autoroutes as well.
Camera detection devices are banned so don't even have one in the car. Even if it is not being used the police will still fine on the spot.
I think the minimum tread depth on tyres is greater than our 1.6mm. They do not repair punctures if you get one and have no spare, you need to buy a new tyre.

Above all, have a great time

[5wany]

[quote="gobiman"]
1. A powered coolbox
2. I have a Sanef toll tag
[/quote]

Good ideas, though prob wont need toll tag this year as route from st Malo & back to Caen is toll free  & 90% on duel carriageway/motorway as well, checked it with http://www.autoroutes.fr/en/routes.htm

[quote="gmc15"]
Couple more things to note when driving in France.

When you overtake on an autoroute you are required by law to pull back into the inside lane. This is probably why the traffic flows better.
When you reach a village the speed limit is 30mph through the village. The village starts with a sign with the name of the village on and there are no speed signs. The village ends when the village name is crossed out with a red line, and again no speed signs.
The police often have radar guns on approach to toll booths where there are speed signs reducing to a quite low speed. They then pull you over after the booth....
[/quote]

Good advice, its these wee things that can catch you out.

Cheers for all replies  :alkashi:

[MJim]

[quote="gmc15"]
When you overtake on an autoroute you are required by law to pull back into the inside lane. This is probably why the traffic flows better.
[/quote]

I was wondering why it was that cars kept on pulling in and out like yo yo's when making progress up the motorway, rather than staying out and keeping an eye out in the rear view mirror for an approaching car.  The thing I found downright dangerous over there is how many cars will just pull out I'm sure without checking - you really have to be ready to stamp on the brakes when overtaking ...

[gobiman]

I'm a big fan of French autoroutes. Drive twice a year to Austria to ski and use the French route (marginally longer and toll) rather than the Low Countries. I can only assume Belgium's response to the economic crisis is to spend zero money on road maintenance and snow clearance (and then there's the driving).
Given the speed limit is 82 mph, you can drive quite happily at just under the indicated ton for hours on end relatively securely and make good progress.
My Merc has a radar controlled cruise control. French autoroutes are about the only roads in Europe where it is actually useful!

[gmc15]

I was wondering why it was that cars kept on pulling in and out like yo yo's when making progress up the motorway, rather than staying out and keeping an eye out in the rear view mirror for an approaching car.  The thing I found downright dangerous over there is how many cars will just pull out I'm sure without checking - you really have to be ready to stamp on the brakes when overtaking ...
[/quote]

If you are in the overtaking lane and a French driver comes up behind you they will often put their indicator on and flash their lights to show they want to pass. It is not an agressive thing, like it would be deemed in our country, but just how they drive.