First time motorhoming in France. What will I need?

[JackyBoy55]

Hi there, It's our first time in France with a Motorhome ,although we have been a few times without. Is there anything you guys can recommend we need to get before we go. We have the AA Travel pack and have purchased a Toll card. What else do we need ???

 

[Guigsy]

2-pin EU adaptor for the hook-up.
Hose adaptors.
Light lens flippers.
UK sticker.
Angles Morts stickers if you're over 3.5t.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Enough fuel to get to Germany



We don’t carry anything different than any other countries we visit, always keep V5 and insurance in the safe incase they ask if stopped.

Have a great time

 

[Jo662]

Yellow vests for each person travelling and a emergency triangle.

 

[icantremember]

If you wear specs for driving you are supposed to carry a spare pair.

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[Verteuil Man]

Carry 2 continental adaptors for electric and a polarity meter. I am no Sparky but I cannot understand why ac has to be wired properly.
You will need a Camping Canet, many electric leads, multiple way of getting water (they can very front pumps the taps). A good sense of humour and direction.

 

[Dutch 68]

Deep pockets and a sense of humour, so you’re probably good to go

 

[Verteuil Man]

Another few things. A good map. You will plan to go to a destination but never get there. French roads always go to big towns or cities so take you on a roundabout route. In towns always follow Toutes or Autres Directions ( excuse the spelling). There is no rush. At camp sites look at the tourist info. There are lots of things to see and enjoy.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Plenty of money

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

The route to Spain

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[Stealaway]

A fee free credit card and fee free cash card if you need any cash from the ATM

 

[Neil S]

Gas !!! Make sure you have enough for your trip
You cannot exchange U.K. cylinders in France
Or consider a refillable system where you can top up at home and abroad whenever you want

 

[Wack]

Remember that stupid rule where you're happily driving along a major road and an angry French man will pull out from a side street on the right , but not all side streets , ony those with the kill the unwary sign on them

 

[HKF]

Remember that stupid rule where you're happily driving along a major road and an angry French man will pull out from a side street on the right , but not all side streets , ony those with the kill the unwary sign on them

It's called 'priorité à droite'. It's mentioned here, along with other stuff.

French road signs | Useful French phrases | RAC Drive

We look at the meaning of some of the more confusing French road signs, as well as some useful French words and phrases for your road trip.

www.rac.co.uk

 

[matt34]

A fee free credit card and fee free cash card if you need any cash from the ATM

has the prices gone up uf you need to use your card havent been for a year,they use to be percentage of what you spent? cheers matt

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[jollyrodger]

"A GUIDE TO FRANCE"
Written by one of our fun community Chris

 

[claude et maude]

Cigarettes and dogs, both are compulsory in France however there are “swap” compounds at all ports and Eurotunnel terminal where you can leave your “temporary visitors dog” for the next person entering France. No dogs are left behind because President Macron has instigated a strict rotation scheme - rotation des chiens - ne laissez aucun chien de côté.

French customs will check that all cigarettes have been smoked before leaving their borders. You may be made to smoke all unlit cigarettes at gunpoint before crossing back into the UK. Failure to comply can result in your name being added to a European wide undesirables list and you will be blocked from future travel.

 

[MisterB]

common sense .....

you say youve been to France before (but not in the motorhome), so you need to take everything you took last time or had in place (breakdown cover?) with regards to the vehicle you travel in (inc maps) and the people (and pets?) who are going.

you then need anything specific to the motorhome that you 'consume' - ie water, gas (and a way to keep both topped up or replenished/replaced) aswell as someway of finding places to stop over if touring or travelling a fair distance (whether that be apps, guidebooks) and ways to pay, camping car parking facilities (where you need to join and use their 'card system' for payment) seem to be multiplying everywhere, so make sure you look at a few youtube videos on how to access them. they sound far more complicated than they are.

a good start would be to purchase 'all the aires' for france. they have really useful information, though you will tend to use them less and less as time goes on, but they can be invaluable in planning ahead to supplement any apps you intend using (ours are about 4 years old and even though out of date, we still use them for preplanning). there is nothing complicated about motorhoming in france as you are about to find out, have fun and best wishes!

and of course, dont forget to look for blogs and suggested stopovers/park ups on motorhome fun !!!! a good recommendation of where to park up/stopover shouldnt be underestimated.

 

[HKF]

Don't forget, you need a hi-vis vest for each passenger and they need to be immediately accessible as, in the event of an accident, you need to be able to put them on before exiting the vehicle. Some people drape them over the back of the seats. We keep ours in the door pockets

 

[Stealaway]

has the prices gone up uf you need to use your card havent been for a year,they use to be percentage of what you spent? cheers matt

As here since Covid many more places in Europe prefer to credit card payments. On our last five weeks trip in April we only spent about 150 € in cash.
Halifax Clarity credit cards are very popular because they do not charge any fees for purchases and you get that days exchange rate not tourist exchange rates.
Check your bank cash cards, my bank doesn't charge for cash withdrawals from European ATM.

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[solaris]

Ability to speak some French. Gets a better response than shouting loudly in English