First trip to France

2

27 TUG

Joined
Apr 12, 2018
Posts
409
Likes collected
173
Location
Southampton
Funster No
53,326
MH
Rapido A class
Exp
2018
What do I need paper work elec hookup or any thing else I got rapido 966M. Thanks all Andy
 
Paperwork - V5, Insurance cert & MOT if relavant, must be original docs.
At this time of year most sites are closed so you will need to use Aires or wild. Quite a few Aires have EHU if you need it worth carrying 40-50m of hook up cables. A lot of EHU are only 5 amp so only run your fridge & battery charger.
 
just a couple of suggestions

Passport

Also good satnav, the books " all the aires" or apps campercontact or camperstop

Light weight drip dry clothing if going in the summer.

Books, you can never have too many, phrase books, dictionary, guide books & a good map Just in case the satnav packs up.

Maps - the laminated Michelin atlas is good and the Michelin Zoom maps if you want to look at an area in detail for cycling or walking.

Campsite and Aires info - Vicarious guide, camper contact app , Park4night , search for site etc.

Prepaid card such as Caxton or credit like the Halifax Clarity card or nationwide debit card.

EHIC card health cards

Breakdown and medical insurance.

Three "feel at home" sim card or similar plus Mifi (if you have one)

Unless you have specific foods you cannot live without, why carry any more extra food than you need, especially heavy liquids. We usually carry a few tins of meals, in case we should outstay available food.
Alcohol is much cheaper overseas, so not worth carrying.
Fresh food is best bought when you want it from local stores.
We carry sun creams, shampoo's and other everyday items. Lidl's, Aldi and other supermarkets carry all of the familiar goods you buy at home.

all our documents scanned and copied , kept seperate. 2 sets

Halve your planned mileage, halve your planned "necessary" equipment, double your spending money
  • In France, don't forget priority to the right in towns (unless you can see that the joining road has a solid white line or stop sign). They have a habit of pulling out as a matter of course, particularly in the larger towns.
  • The same applies on minor country roads where a junction is indicated by a diagonal cross (Saltire). The road to the right has priority. If a vertical cross then you are generally on the major road.
  • In towns, pedestrians have the right to cross in front of traffic. They have to give a clear indication that they are about to step-off. This right does not apply if there is an adjacent pedestrian crossing.
  • Hi vis vest for driver and every passenger. Must be able to put them on before exiting the vehicle so don't keep them in the garage or an outside locker.
    Warning triangle
    Spare bulb set.
    First aid kit
    Beam deflectors for your lights
  • these items , i photocopy & keep copies handy , originals in my safe hidden in van( plus passport)
  • Driving licence
    Insurance certificate
    • V5C
    • Passport
    • Two pin adaptor for the EHU.
  • Remember when approaching a town or village the town/village name sign is the speed limit start & when ends when exiting T/V sign with lines thru. they are quite strict !!!!!

    Don't do what I did on my first trip , on first trip to an aire, I bought several jetons ( coins for water/ electric) thinking that they would be handy for all the other aires on our trip . Nope each aire has a different jeton, so I still have 3 jetons after 7/8 trips to france which don't fit any other aires.

    hope these help
 
FIDGET said:
just a couple of suggestions

Passport

Also good satnav, the books " all the aires" or apps campercontact or camperstop

Light weight drip dry clothing if going in the summer.

Books, you can never have too many, phrase books, dictionary, guide books & a good map Just in case the satnav packs up.

Maps - the laminated Michelin atlas is good and the Michelin Zoom maps if you want to look at an area in detail for cycling or walking.

Campsite and Aires info - Vicarious guide, camper contact app , Park4night , search for site etc.

Prepaid card such as Caxton or credit like the Halifax Clarity card or nationwide debit card.

EHIC card health cards

Breakdown and medical insurance.

Three "feel at home" sim card or similar plus Mifi (if you have one)

Unless you have specific foods you cannot live without, why carry any more extra food than you need, especially heavy liquids. We usually carry a few tins of meals, in case we should outstay available food.
Alcohol is much cheaper overseas, so not worth carrying.
Fresh food is best bought when you want it from local stores.
We carry sun creams, shampoo's and other everyday items. Lidl's, Aldi and other supermarkets carry all of the familiar goods you buy at home.

all our documents scanned and copied , kept seperate. 2 sets

Halve your planned mileage, halve your planned "necessary" equipment, double your spending money
  • In France, don't forget priority to the right in towns (unless you can see that the joining road has a solid white line or stop sign). They have a habit of pulling out as a matter of course, particularly in the larger towns.
  • The same applies on minor country roads where a junction is indicated by a diagonal cross (Saltire). The road to the right has priority. If a vertical cross then you are generally on the major road.
  • In towns, pedestrians have the right to cross in front of traffic. They have to give a clear indication that they are about to step-off. This right does not apply if there is an adjacent pedestrian crossing.
  • Hi vis vest for driver and every passenger. Must be able to put them on before exiting the vehicle so don't keep them in the garage or an outside locker.
    Warning triangle
    Spare bulb set.
    First aid kit
    Beam deflectors for your lights
  • these items , i photocopy & keep copies handy , originals in my safe hidden in van( plus passport)
  • Driving licence
    Insurance certificate
    • V5C
    • Passport
    • Two pin adaptor for the EHU.
  • Remember when approaching a town or village the town/village name sign is the speed limit start & when ends when exiting T/V sign with lines thru. they are quite strict !!!!!

    Don't do what I did on my first trip , on first trip to an aire, I bought several jetons ( coins for water/ electric) thinking that they would be handy for all the other aires on our trip . Nope each aire has a different jeton, so I still have 3 jetons after 7/8 trips to france which don't fit any other aires.

    hope these help
Click to expand...
Scary list.

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If you are unfortunate to have an accident one of these is very useful, you fill it out in English, they do the same in French then you give each other a copy.
cartraveldocs.com

English - European Accident Statement - Car Travel Docs

Download at Cartraveldocs the official European Accident statement pdfs in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Polish, German, Portuguese and Czech languages
cartraveldocs.com cartraveldocs.com
 
If you are away after the end of the year, very sadly you will need possibly two international driving licences and the greatest loss of all, the EHIC card will have ceased for us unless somebody has the sense to retain it.
Do not get tied up in knots over all this lot. Get a folder and slowly build it up. It sounds much more difficult than it is.
 
27 TUG said:
Hi thanks to all so far its very complicated?
Click to expand...
No its not just go and have fun. Motorhoming in main land Europe is so easy you will never want to bother with England again.

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You also need to carry a spare pair of glasses if you wear them for driving (good idea to have a spare pair anyway even if they are just for reading! How do I know? Yes you've guessed it I lost a pair and didn't have spares so couldn't read any more!
 
Lenny HB said:
Paperwork - V5, Insurance cert & MOT if relavant, must be original docs.
At this time of year most sites are closed so you will need to use Aires or wild. Quite a few Aires have EHU if you need it worth carrying 40-50m of hook up cables. A lot of EHU are only 5 amp so only run your fridge & battery charger.
Click to expand...
Can you plug into two sockets with an adaptor
 
Tin of Euro coins for the services (water and leccy, plus parking fee )at many of the aires .
 
You also need to print off and complete a COVId health declaration which is found on this page called Sworn Statement
uk.ambafrance.org

COVID-19: rules for travel between France and the UK

Find out about measures in place for all people travelling between France and the UK.
uk.ambafrance.org uk.ambafrance.org

Odds are nobody will ask for or look at it but you need to have done it just in case.
 
Updated due to the return isolating changes being law as from today.
Just check the Gov website for the latest just copied this from the site today.
There has been a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in France during recent weeks, with a significant number of French departments now at ‘heightened vulnerability’. In a number of areas, the French Government have brought in extra measures as a consequence. Check local guidance for more information.

The FCDO is not advising those already travelling in France to leave at this time. You should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect yourself and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus. Contact your travel operator if you have any questions about your return journey.

If you are returning to the UK from France on or after 15 August, you will need to self-isolate on your return, unless exempt. Check the latest guidance for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The guidance includes information on the rules if you’re

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pelican said:
Can you plug into two sockets with an adaptor
Click to expand...
Definitely not advised. Many years ago on the advice of a Dutch camper I made up a lead with two input plugs to a single 16amp socket. As soon as you plugged one in the other was live, plus it didn’t seem to increase the amperes🤭
 
Sense of humour to deal with ever changing speed limits and countless roundabouts.
 
But once there, France is Motorhome heaven,
We wanted to overnight at a restaurant without parking. No problem say they,use the Mairie's car park,
is that OK ?,
of course, we are a republic it belongs to us.
Next morning whilst getting our croissants we got a cherful bonjour from the Maire.
 
Yes it is heaven for motorhomes but very tiring 80 to 50 to 30 kmh at every village when travelling on the N network. Then the crazy number of roundabouts and the right of way from the right . Love it.

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Don't forget the ridiculous big speed bumps that you have to virtually stop to go over them.
 
Money!
I like to have a fat wedge of euros in my sky plus a couple of cards.

First aid kit..... has probably been mentioned already.

Its not difficult......Enjoy!! :giggle: (y)
 
Town and village signs are start of speed limit. 50 kph usually. Sign with cross is end of urban limit.
Drive on right🙄

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