Going to France this year?

[lacroupade]

In case you hadn't been for a while, or at all, you'll find that the majority of the autoroute toll booths (which have been bought out by a Spanish outfit) have been automated now.

Whereas before you could lean across and give your ticket/money to the operator (or get your passenger to do it - what are wives for after all?), they are now pretty much all automated for use of bank cards or 'tags' only. Because the machine is only about two feet off the deck, you have to get out to access it.........

But, the good news is you can get one of these automatic sensors that you stick in the window.....I can find the details if anyone is interested, but from memory you pay a 30 euro refundable deposit for the unit, plus a charge of 4 euros for each month during which you use the device, plus normal toll charges. That saves getting out of the vehicle at all as you just drive straight through the 'tag' line with no queueing....

I think the odd booth might still be manned on the biggest tolls, but all the small ones, especially where you leave the autoroute, are unmanned now....so if you try and exit with just cash in your hand you will be flummoxed, nay stuck!

I think I'm right in saying that if you have a small trailer you can still use the tag lane (theres a 2-metre height restriction) but caravans will mean you have to use the HGV lane and I think pay more. I'm trying to find out how big a trailer I can get away with in that lane as I want to take my twin axle IW trailer down and bring some building materials back - I guess it depends on how fast you drive through the barrier! I have seen reference to ensuring you hold back a bit as there are common instances of the tag opening the barrier for the person in front, and of course not then letting you through!

But plenty of stuff on Google for those interested...

[zippy656]

cheap option.. dont use toll roads

or cheaper still dont go to france! stay here get a caravan!! im sure every one heres got a good tow car !!!!

[lacroupade]

Good point, but depends on how far you go......the autoroute is the only sensible option if you want to go any distance.

As to why? One word - W-E-A-T-H-E-R.

And th autoroutes can be a pleasure to drive....I've ploughed up and down the length of France umpteen times and frequently, even on relatively busy days, been completely alone an a long flat stretch you can see for miles in either direction....just engage cruise control and put your feet up!

And its worth going just to explore - they have ten times more caravans/campers than we do, and because they are mad for their outdoors (much more so than us Brits) they have thousands of sites, often in stunning locations...go on Zippy, give it a go.... :):)

[zippy656]

I hve done since i was 4 till early 30's

used to go for 4 or 5 weeks at a time,,

[lacroupade]

I can see how a gets boring then! What neck of les woods Zippy?

[zippy656]

been to

france
spain
portugal
italy
germany
holland
denmark
austria
switzerland
greese
yugoslavia
belgum

not all in the same holiday though

driving to greese too 5 weeks to get there and back

[floyd500b]

I (+ my Father) drove to Greece and back in 7 days:thumb2

[zippy656]

yep, but that wasn't your holiday i bet

[floyd500b]

House removal:lol

[Muzz]

been to

france
spain
portugal
italy
germany
austria
switzerland
belgum
Hungary
Croatia
Slovienia.
Slovakia
Chech republic
Luxembourg.


All with me caravan

[lacroupade]

Muzz....respect!

[poppypiesdad]

Remember to take your hi viz vest with you one for each person in the vehice accessable forom the passenger compartment or you'll get a fine new law in france last year . :)

[zippy656]

been to

france
spain
portugal
italy
germany
holland
denmark
austria
switzerland
greese
yugoslavia
belgum

not all in the same holiday though

driving to greese too 5 weeks to get there and back

we had an old CF bedford motorcaravan..

[lacroupade]

i really love the old bedford van with the little snub nose bonnet and the sliding doors - what model was that?

[Lee3197]

Thanks for the "heads up" lacroupade. We're off to France this year with the Maverick. I take it that by Autoroute, you mean the 'E' roads ?

Lee. :thumbs

[wildbri]

we are lucky enough to be able to take our caravan and terrano to europe for up to 12 weeks each year and has we have the time we avoid the auto routes in france. The old routes are much more interesting and of course free, we find such wonderful villages and small towns
and as we always use municipal camp sites there is always one,if not in the centre of town then on a river or lake just outside. We never book and often we have been the only campers.
The one advantage of being retired, we have the time. (the hours are good but the money is
crap) regards....bri

[zippy656]

where do you cross the water then??

ever tryed going to spain, and woring your way back up. done that a time or two
Zippy

[wildbri]

We usually take shortest route Dover Calais/Dunkirk depending on price, although we have in the past used longer crossings including putting car on ferry in Gibraltar and sailed home.
We have travelled all over Spain since 1961 many, many times and on one trip we started in Calais and followed the coast around Spain, France, Italy, sailing from tip Italy to Corfu then on to main land Greece, through Bulgaria and into turkey where we blew a big end!, not in the terrano I might add, but that's another story. when we started our camping trips to Europe in the early 1960s we used to fly our car and camping equipment from Southend airport to Calais airport.
regards...bri