Driving in France - what do I need to know?

[DaveE]

There’s a device Harry M was talking about to pay the tolls.. speed up the process considerably. Think it is called telepeage or similar

Eta:

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driv ... in-france/

Thanks, I did look into it, but it would cost c€50, and I'm not sure I'd get the benefit, as we rarely drive in France...

[DaveE]

What sort of lights does it have?

I’m not sure you have to adjust the lights, but if they’re going to dazzle oncoming traffic it would be decent courtesy to do something about it.

Most xenons have a lever to lower the kick so the beam is flat all the way across. Fancy leds probably have a setting somewhere.

I couldn't find a spec sticker under the bonnet etc, so I dug out the original order sheet and went through that

Turns out it has the PDLS

[GG.]

Sounds like you do need to flick it over to LHD in the options menu then.

[DaveE]

Had a massive panic last night when I noticed, purely by chance, that my MOT had expired!

Managed to get it done today though - all good, no advisories

Massive relief!

[Gavster]

Also worth double checking if it's still mandatory to do a full bore launch away from toll gates on the autoroute

[DaveE]

Also worth double checking if it's still mandatory to do a full bore launch away from toll gates on the autoroute

I think so - while flicking the Vs with the roof down?

[Swervin_Mervin]

Also worth double checking if it's still mandatory to do a full bore launch away from toll gates on the autoroute

Bit harder to do if you're passing through it at 60kph already (or whatever the limit is)

[Sundayjumper]

Also worth double checking if it's still mandatory to do a full bore launch away from toll gates on the autoroute

Bit harder to do if you're passing through it at 60kph already (or whatever the limit is)

I’m sure you could still drop a couple of cogs give it full beans and dab of oppo.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Also worth double checking if it's still mandatory to do a full bore launch away from toll gates on the autoroute

Bit harder to do if you're passing through it at 60kph already (or whatever the limit is)

I’m sure you could still drop a couple of cogs give it full beans and dab of oppo.

Well I did in our Seat My Sharona hire car over the last 2 weeks in Portugal It may not have had much real world effect though other than making our boy laugh.

[DaveE]

Most important of all though, the car has now had a good wash, and a coating of Collinite 845 wax

[Marv]

Most important of all though, the car has now had a good wash, and a coating of Collinite 845 wax

That's worth at least an extra 10kph down the Mulsanne Straight

Nothing much to add to what has already been said, except enjoy your trip!...France is a magnificent country for a road trip.

When I visited in 2019, they put up so many speed cameras, I thought they'd ruined any chance of driving enthusiastically over there. When I went back last year, it appears that nearly all of them have been vandalised

[DeskJockey]

We've just driven from Calais to Lake Maggiore and the French roads are just lovely to drive on.

The Telepeage is worth it for us. Have had it for at least 10 years and it makes it so much easier to glide through, although we go to/through France at least once a year, so the VFM is rather different.

Coming through into Italy things looked notably more worn down, several very long stretches of on/off roadworks (through which I think I was the only one even pretending there was a speed restriction. Pulled an impressive queue sticking to the posted 60kph for the last one). Roads are still better than at home.

[dinny_g]

Lake Maggiore

Spent 4 days in Stressa on a road trip. It’s a beautiful part of the world

[DeskJockey]

We're about to find out. It is also roasting hot, daytime temps above 32c for the entire stay.

Kids are desperate to go to the pool, so that'll be the first order of business.

[dinny_g]

We stayed in the La Palma hotel and the pool was across the road on the lake front. Water was freezing which was very nice on a hot day - it was about the same temperature when we were there

[simon_g]

Crit'air if you'll be going in/through many of the main cities, it's under 5 euros - sticker may not arrive in time but you should be OK for the numberplate-reading cameras at least https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motori ... ch-cities/

I got an Ulys tag last year and it was great on the road, a ballache afterwards. Order it on card then they want you to set up a SEPA (like an international direct debit) which my main bank couldn't do. Set it up on my Starling account and all seemed to be OK until they decided it wasn't and eventually demanded the tag back, taking 30 euros until I did. Just stopped and used card this year, didn't take much longer.

[V8Granite]

We got a tag thing, it was awesome as the only people who pay each time are tourists who get it wrong so going in the “commuter” lanes saved a noticeable amount of time during any busy periods. We got a Europe wide one but I can’t remember the name, I think it was recommended on here though ?

Dave!

[Jimexpl]

We got a tag thing, it was awesome as the only people who pay each time are tourists who get it wrong so going in the “commuter” lanes saved a noticeable amount of time during any busy periods. We got a Europe wide one but I can’t remember the name, I think it was recommended on here though ?

Dave!

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

[DaveE]

Had one of the best drives today

Cross country on the D921 from Saint-Flour to St Geniez where we're staying

Lovely flowing, twisty and turning, great surface (the car felt great with the sports suspension engaged, something I never use at home).

Lots of gradient changes, rock walls to bounce the noises off

Tabbing along at a pretty restrained but rapid pace, with the sun out, high 20s°, roof down etc

Made me realise how well the car handles, turns, grips etc

Just over an hour, and it flew by

And importantly, Helen really enjoyed it too

Perfect

[Gavster]

And importantly, Helen really enjoyed it too

Perfect

It’s so sweet that you’ve given you Porsche a name