|
France By Car
Eurotunnel
If you are coming from Great Britain, you can use the Eurotunnel. Eurotunnel's car carrying service runs via the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone to Calais/Coquelles. Taking as little as 35 minutes platform to platform, it is a fast and exciting way to France and beyond. The service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with up to 4 departures an hour at peak periods.
Consult the website http://www.eurotunnel.com/ or phone 08705 35 35 35.
Roads
The road network is very well developed in France: nearly a million kilometres, of which almost 8,000 kilometres are motorways. There is usually a toll for motorways. To find out everything about toll charges, service stations, rest areas, restaurants, filling stations, and hotels along your route, and for details of your journey, consult the website http://www.autoroutes.fr/
Before taking to the road in France, make sure you know the French highway code well.
You will find the official text of the Highway Code at the website http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/
To find out about the road signs, you can consult the website http://www.permisenligne.com/
Finding your way
There are numerous guides and road maps available at bookshops, service stations…
The main reference maps are Michelin and IGN.
Some Internet sites suggest different ways of getting from one place to another (from the quickest to tourist routes with stopovers…): http://www.viamichelin.com/ or http://www.mappy.fr/
Times to avoid
At peak times (7.30 – 9.00am and 5.30 – 7.30pm generally during the week), take care on the approaches to large towns and town centres: the traffic is often very dense. Some problems can also be found at "sensitive" places at the start of holiday periods (approaches to large towns, toll booths…).
To find out about traffic conditions: http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr
In your car, you can listen to the Autoroute FM radio station on frequency 107.7
Parking
Parking in towns is controlled and there is usually a charge. Authorised parking spaces are shown by road markings (white dotted lines). To pay for parking, you need to take a ticket from the ticket machines (installed on the pavement) and place it in view on your dashboard. The price of a parking space can vary a lot, depending on the town and the area.
All towns also have underground parking available, in the town centre, or also on the outskirts, which are usually served by public transport.
To find a parking in Paris. Click here.
Car leasing
You can of course hire all sorts of vehicles, from a bicycle to a lorry, but mainly cars, from specialist agents (or shops and garages for two-wheeled vehicles). France is well stocked with car hire agencies. At list can be obtained at local tourist offices. Fly-drive arrangements are available through airlines and tour operators.
The minimum age limit for hiring a car in France is 18 years old and there is no upper age limit. (No extra cost)
The main car hire companies have offices at all railway stations of large towns, at airports and in the centre of some towns.
If you prefer to arrange your car hire before you leave, contact one of the following companies:
Renault Eurodrive
Tel: 1 300 551160
Fax: 02 9262 4590
Website: www.renaulteurodrive.com.au
World Drive Holidays
Toll Free: 1300 653 270
Website: www.worlddriveholidays.com.au
globalCARS.com.au
Tel: + 61 2 9438 3868
Website: www.globalCARS.com.au
Avis Rent a Car
Europcar
Hertz Rent a Car
Budget Leisure Car
National Car Rental |