Crossing into Belgium from France?

[chenderson1965]

Hello from rainy Arras!

Our maiden trip to France has evolved a little - not least because I got knocked off my bike on Thursday (6 hours in A&E, broken eyesocket and plenty of other cuts and bruises) and haven’t been in the shape to drive for too long at a time.

We’ve ended up heading East and are hoping to get to the Ardennes by the weekend. The ideal way to do this, given a few places we’d like to see on the way, crosses into Belgium (only for 80km or so) and then back.

I’d planned to keep it simple by staying in France and haven’t done any research for Belgium. How easy is it to cross the border? Are there any other complications or things I should be aware of before venturing onto Belgian roads?

Thanks

Chris

 

[David and Sally]

No. Just drive. No borders, just a sign to say you're in Belgium. Same in reverse.

 

[keithchesterfield2]

[QUOTE="chenderson1965, post: 3508110, member: Are there any other complications or things I should be aware of before venturing onto Belgian roads?
Thanks
Chris
[/QUOTE]

Yes, you need to put the strongest adhesive possible to your false teeth or they will be rattled out by the Belgium road surfaces.

Some other European countries have even worse surfaces but you did ask for advice.

 

[Gellyneck]

Same in reverse.

Would it not say "you are in France"?

(6 hours in A&E, broken eyesocket and plenty of other cuts and bruises)

Ouch, that looks a sore one. Hopefully healing well.

 

[Nirvanauk]

You won’t notice any difference, just keep driving.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Two on Tour]

Like your I've been a good boy badge Hope your on the mend and it does not spoil your dashing good looks too much.

I endorse what keithchesterfield2 says about the Belgium roads, they are dire.

 

[Mark McG]

Wow - that must been a hell of a fall! Did you have a helmet on?
The only thing to spot when in Belgium is that the Village name boards that signify the 'built up area' 50kph limit are different colour and style. May be stating the obvious - but took a few minutes to spot that they had suddenly changed! IMHO Both the roads and the drivers were worse in Belgium than France.

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

Yes, you need to put the strongest adhesive possible to your false teeth or they will be rattled out by the Belgium road surfaces.

I endorse what @keithchesterfield2@ says about the Belgium roads, they are dire.

IMHO Both the roads and the drivers were worse in Belgium than France.

Ain’t that the truth, I think all my fillings rattled out of my skull whilst traversing Belgium!

Sorry to hear of your bike incident chenderson1965

 

[big map]

Hi I hope you recover quickly.
I note they gave you a sticker in English

 

[chenderson1965]

Hi I hope you recover quickly.
I note they gave you a sticker in English

The accident was at home before we left. That’s a good old NHS sticker!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[LesW]

Wish you well mate..

 

[DBK]

We crossed into Belgium heading into the French Ardennes recently. It was just the way Messrs Garmin decided to route us but I'm used to its eccentricities. The border was non-existent, not even a sign saying "Welcome to Belgium". For the first few miles I thought we had found the only smooth roads in Belgium but they didn't last.

Lot of interesting military history around the Ardennes. The US forces came through here then were counter-attacked and virtually surrounded - Battle of the Bulge. I'm sure John Wayne covered it. Also the Maginot Line fortifications.

 

[jongood]

Hello from rainy Arras!

Our maiden trip to France has evolved a little - not least because I got knocked off my bike on Thursday (6 hours in A&E, broken eyesocket and plenty of other cuts and bruises) and haven’t been in the shape to drive for too long at a time.

We’ve ended up heading East and are hoping to get to the Ardennes by the weekend. The ideal way to do this, given a few places we’d like to see on the way, crosses into Belgium (only for 80km or so) and then back.

I’d planned to keep it simple by staying in France and haven’t done any research for Belgium. How easy is it to cross the border? Are there any other complications or things I should be aware of before venturing onto Belgian roads?

Thanks

Chris

Ouch that looks painful Chris.

The good thing about Belgium is that the fuel is cheaper. Lots of great stops on camper contact and great opportunities for cyc.......well maybe not.

Hope you're getting used to the Arto
Jon

 

[Off da Grid]

The road signs are a bit different we didn’t really notice we were in Belgium for a while

 

[MyrtleGuru]

Only problem we had was finding fuel when running very short in the south-east, because everyone crossed the border to refuel in Luxembourg where it was cheaper. Don't know if it's the same these days.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Littlewheels]

Yes the roads are a bit dire you’ll know your in Belgium when you’re driving along thinking have I got four flat tyres.
Hope you recover rapidly.

 

[Lenny HB]

LPG is very cheap 35 to 45 cents Lt, that's if your gas bottles haven't dropped out. Yes their roads really are worse than UK roads.

 

[bigtree]

Yes the BELGIAN roads are dire but they do make some superb beer. ?

 

[GAVLAD]

There’s some great places to visit in Belgium and crossing the border is easy in fact if you miss the sign you wouldn’t know you’ve crossed a border.
Hope you’re on the mend soon and just think what your injuries would have been if you hadn’t worn a cycle helmet.

 

[Spriddler]

It smells different, (seriously).

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[BobtheBass]

The only way to be sure you are in Belgium is to order some chips. If they are really nice you are in Belgium. If they have been sliced with a blunt instrument or chopped into strange shapes you are still in France.

 

[mitzimad]

my phone tells me when i enter belgium

 

[Easyliving]

I second what people have said about Belgian roads, some of them are rough.

If you find yourself in southern Belgium I can recommend the aire at Arlon - free parking, water and electricity. No cassette emptying though. Luxembourg is well known for having the cheapest diesel. We passed through about 6 weeks ago and paid 108.45 cents a litre.

Oh, and enjoy Arras - aire is not pretty but a lovely, historic town.

Paul

 

[scousebird]

not least because I got knocked off my bike on Thursday (6 hours in A&E, broken eyesocket and plenty of other cuts and bruises)

Ouch, hope you're on strong painkillers

 

[addoaddo]

speed limit on motorways is only 120KPH rather than 130KPH in France for Cars, not sure for Motorhome

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[keithchesterfield2]

speed limit on motorways is only 120KPH rather than 130KPH in France for Cars, not sure for Motorhome

That's not what it said on the Motorway signs I passed yesterday - 130 km/h or 110 km/h if raining.

 

[jongood]

I second what people have said about Belgian roads, some of them are rough.

If you find yourself in southern Belgium I can recommend the aire at Arlon - free parking, water and electricity. No cassette emptying though. Luxembourg is well known for having the cheapest diesel. We passed through about 6 weeks ago and paid 108.45 cents a litre.

Oh, and enjoy Arras - aire is not pretty but a lovely, historic town.

Paul

That just shows the difference in people's choices. We thought the aire in Arlon was pretty grim but we love the one a bit further nort at Han sur Lesse.

 

[Easyliving]

That just shows the difference in people's choices. We thought the aire in Arlon was pretty grim but we love the one a bit further nort at Han sur Lesse.

Yes, Arlon aire is certainly not pretty but the town has quite a lot of shops. Being a skinflint I always appreciate something for nothing ?

Paul

 

[DerryW]

Ouch!!

 

[tony_g]

LPG is very cheap 35 to 45 cents Lt, that's if your gas bottles haven't dropped out. Yes their roads really are worse than UK roads.

Cheapest lpg ever!!!