What do we need to know / take whilst travelling to France

[Allyson]

Hi folks

What do we need to take in the car and what can't we carry.

Any Golden rules?

It's be ten years since we have travelled over there in the car.

All answer much appreciated.

 

[Mark_5040952]

You must have your passport, driving licence, insurance and car V5. You must also have spare light bulbs for car and caravan, warning triangle, hi-vis jackets (inside the car not in the boot), first aid kit and fire extinguisher. Get yourself the new European Health Insurance Card which replaced the old E111 form.

I also find it good to have enough French to be polite and a phrase book, a good idea of where I'm going, GPS with the right maps in, large scale maps (Michelin orange range). Cash and credit cards.

It's also a good idea to have European breakdown cover.

Hope you have a great trip.

Mark

 

[Olly]

Take two adaptors for you electrical lead.

One will enable you to connect the Blue Plug on the end of your lead to the site electrical supply IF it only accepts old fashioned two-pin plugs. They still exist on some French sites. The second adaptor will correct any reverse polarity you may come across. In respect to the latter, you also need to take a Reverse Polarity Tester.

They aren't expensive and are available from most caravan accessory shops or by mail-order from the likes of Towsure ...

http://www.towsure.com/default.asp?
You might also like to look at the following sites for information about driving in France .

http://www1.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/signaux/default.asp
http://www.drivingabroad.co.uk/content.aspx?page=key-french-phrases&navid=18
Hope this helps,

Olly.

PS - If your car doesn't have European-style number plates you will also need a GB Plate on both the caravan and your car.

 

[Lutz]

Slight correction to Mark's reply:

Although hi-vis vests and a fire extinguisher are advisable anywhere, they are NOT required in France.

 

[Dusty1]

There is a lot of information here:http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=7&TopicID=82183&PagePosition=1

 

[Mark_5040952]

Slight correction to Mark's reply:

Although hi-vis vests and a fire extinguisher are advisable anywhere, they are NOT required in France.

Thanks Lutz,You're correct!

Sorry Mark

 

[Guest]

You will also need to adjust your headlamps to a centre dip, if that function is available. If not, you need to fit beam adjusters to the lenses.

Do also pay particular attention to speed limits. Town name signs are an indicator of a speed limit just as much as a numeral indicator. Hidden speed camers are common and ignorance I am a tourist routine) is no excuse. On the spot fines will be imposed. Don't drink and drive.

Follow the rules and you will have a wonderful time and find that it is much more relaxing than here. As already mentioned an attempt at even poor French is welcomed.

 

[MikeP]

In Spain it is law that, if you wear specs for driving, then you must carry a spare pair. It is good practice to do this whenever you're abroad.

Think about it ... someone treads on your specs and bends them beyond repair or cracks a lens. "Pour aller