Newbies to France - Brainstorm (1 Viewer)

[suavecarve]

What brilliant advice as ever from fellow Funsters. Someone advised on another thread to take a copy of your sight test prescription just in case you lose your glasses (and don’t have a spare pair!)! Sound advice. My wife also carries a card in her purse listing her health conditions and allergies in case of emergency. May be worth getting these translated should anything untoward happen whilst in France.

Recently occurred to me in Spain. Thought I was in trouble til they could get fixed but went into a pharmacie and they had all the lenses to try and work out yourself what prescription you needed.
2 pairs of glasses for 9.99 euros

The glasses are only for reading so no idea if they did them for longer sight issues though

 

[suavecarve]

One other thing comes to mind which is the direction of signposts at crossroads or roundabouts in France.

When we first went over we got confused and often went the wrong way.

We are now zoned in on the direction of signs and satnavs help but the angles of the arrows indicated to us keep going round but were meant to take you off. No idea if anyone else struggled with this

 

[Geistguy]

France is not a third world country, if anything breaks, if you've forgotten or run out of anything etc just don't worry, everything you need is readily available. French supermarkets and DIY stores are fantastic.

 

[cyberyacht]

Thanks for that 'movie.' I'm so fatigued I past 'wipe out' a week ago (bad day) but I feel as if I've had a lovely day out. You've found some beautiful places to stay. Really enjoyed your movie! I would be interested in the places and the costs of the sites if that info is available. Thanks again!

In order of the YouTube sequence and costs AFAICR on a per night basis as follows:-
Pourville sur Mer car park 0
Fresnay sur Sarthe aire 0
Beaumont St Cyr ACSI site €18
Clerac aire 0
Le Goelands, Ares. ACSI site €18
Biarritz CCP aire €14
San Sebastian aire €4
Camping Regaton, Laredo ACSI €19
La Barre, Bayonne aire 0 (machine broken)
Langon car park 0
Clerac aire(again) 0
Chateau Larcher aire €7
St Romain sur Cher site €16.50 ( bit of a dump)
Courville sur Eure aire 0
Dieppe aire €14

 

[Jez1966]

One other thing comes to mind which is the direction of signposts at crossroads or roundabouts in France.

When we first went over we got confused and often went the wrong way.

We are now zoned in on the direction of signs and satnavs help but the angles of the arrows indicated to us keep going round but were meant to take you off. No idea if anyone else struggled with this

Personally, I do not understand what you are trying to describe, IWe've had no issue in France.
If you could explain more how the "direction of signposts...." was confusing would help newbies.

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[Jez1966]

Watch out if in small towns and non major roads where you have to give way to traffic from the right.

I don't understand this "rule", your saying, if I'm turning left from a side road, I give way to a vehicle approaching from my right
BUT a vehicle approaching from my left has to give way to me pulling out?

 

[Russell's Dad]

Get and carry GHIC ( formerly EHIC) cards!
In France on day 3 of a 2 month trip to Spain and my front crown (tooth) decides I only need 50% of it. (A baguette did the damage).
A bit of a panic set in, however, I found a local dentist and, despite a bit of language difficulties, 40 minutes later I walk out with a new , temporary, crown. Showed the dentist GHIC card, and paid absolutely nothing for the fantastic setvice.
Holiday saved!

 

[Brian Thompson]

This will be very useful for us as we're just planning our first trip abroad in the van. We've had the van for a couple of years now and have done many many weekends and a few longer trips. Stretched our wings last year and went to Ireland for two weeks but we still feel like novices. It was actually talking to a colleague at work that made us feel we could actually do it! She drives to Italy every couple of years (by car) - I was questioning how far she can go in the 2 weeks off work and was given plenty of first hand reassurance. We'd never considered that we could go that far whilst we're working full time and so can only go for 2 weeks at a time.

So we're off this year, and have been questioning our lovely forum friends for advice.

We wish there was a guide on one site for every European country containing ulez (equivalents), tolls advice and generally what paperwork/stickers /vignettes are needed as we seem to forever dipping in and out of different sites.

We've just got our acsi card too for stops en route. Info all in one place would be great.

Try Kate at Wandering bird loads of information on just about everything most of it free

 

[suavecarve]

Personally, I do not understand what you are trying to describe, IWe've had no issue in France.
If you could explain more how the "direction of signposts...." was confusing would help newbies.

I thought i didnt describe it very well. I was hoping someone else might have noted it as well

Perhaps it is I cant remember seeing an upright arrow for straight ahead at a junction. They all seem to be horizontal arrows (the signs on the actual roundabout or crossroads) which at the time meant (to me) keep going round
I m used to them now, but i wasnt then.

 

[Lenny HB]

Perhaps it is I cant remember seeing an upright arrow for straight ahead at a junction. They all seem to be horizontal arrows (the signs on the actual roundabout or crossroads) which at the time meant (to me) keep going round
I m used to them now, but i wasnt then.

Even better if the Mayor of a village falls out with the Mayor of the next village they take all the signs down to that village.

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[Tim P]

At the moment, just to keep you on your toes, the Farmer protestors, are busy turning a lot of the town/village names upside down! Just because they can!

 

[Augusta08]

Don't be daunted by a few Farmer Protestors, they are generally very good natured and know you aren't the target of their protest.

 

[Joethejoiner]

At the moment, just to keep you on your toes, the Farmer protestors, are busy turning a lot of the town/village names upside down! Just because they can!

Did wonder

 

[IGMH]

I'm about to write an in-depth article that will inspire and guide members into crossing the channel. I understand that for some, the idea may seem daunting, and for others, a little nudge is all they need to embark on this fantastic journey.

I'm counting on your valuable insights! Share your experiences, tips, and advice. Whether it's about overcoming fears, navigating the logistics, or simply must-see destinations, I want to hear it all.

Here's what I'm looking for

Your Experiences
Have you crossed the channel in your motorhome? Tell us about it, were you nervous first time out? How is it now?
Must-Do's & Should-Do's
What are the absolute musts for anyone making this journey?
Challenges Overcome
Were you nervous or hesitant before your trip? How did you overcome these feelings?
Logistics
Tips on booking and using ferries or trains, handling formalities, and sorting out insurance.
Stays and Sightseeing
Where are the best places to stay? booking, hidden gems and top attractions ect?
Anything Else
No tip is too small anything - TV, internet, currency, gas, food If it helped you, it might help someone else!

This guide aims to alleviate fears, offer practical advice, and showcase the brilliant opportunities that so many of us enjoy accross the channel. Your contributions are key to making itcomprehensive, confidence-boosting resource for Funsters.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and experiences. it would be really nice to make this the go-to guide for channel-crossing

Over to you.

Many French towns have preferred routes for through traffic.
Keep a look out for "Toutes Directions" (all directions) and "Autres Directions" (other directions) if the name of the town you are following disappears from signs and major junctions etc.

 

[bladerunner]

I don't understand this "rule", your saying, if I'm turning left from a side road, I give way to a vehicle approaching from my right
BUT a vehicle approaching from my left has to give way to me pulling out?

There is still a problem in some towns - you are driving on the main road, but a car emerges from a street on your right. He has 'priorite a droite. Look out for the yellow diamond with black bar. Then be careful if you see a car to your right.

"It's also worth noting that minor roads may change number from one district to another.

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[Blaydon]

There is really good sticker you can get showing priority on roundabouts. It is clear and can go on the windscreen low down. Worth buying if you are worried.

 

[cyberyacht]

You just apply the Book of Common Prayer rule - the quick and the dead.

 

[Vanman]

Having just completed our first ever trip to France I thought I'd give a quick update of what extra we learned.

Tunnel - Now has a Self service check-in screen, that seems to auto offer an hour ahead if you are two early.
UK check for gas turned off – On return France check under bed, in shower, in garage + gas.

Supermarket - Some have fancy trolleys that take any value of coin (you get the same one back at the end ).
Supermarket shelves are stocked full of brightly coloured tins that could be a local delicacy … or could be dog food!
Salted, unsalted, smoked etc. are all good words to know before you take on the Supermarket.
If you’re looking for pate then it seems to be disguised as paste (in jars).
We found some cold filtered semi skimmed milk next to the yoghurt – result!
General - French fuel pumps often have a UK touch screen menu option.
If you're thinking of ordering a Bip&go tag, do it at least a month before departure.
Whilst they almost all speak English better than I speak French, some of them do not so be prepared … even if you can’t string a sentence together, knowing the key word can get you a long way.
Add to your list of common French terms – “Help, my motorhome has just sunk on your pitch” and “Thank you for pulling us out”.

Bon Chance!

 

[Abacist]

I don't understand this "rule", your saying, if I'm turning left from a side road, I give way to a vehicle approaching from my right
BUT a vehicle approaching from my left has to give way to me pulling out?

NO!

Priority a droit went out years ago but there is still a small risk of an old fogie stuck in a time warp, pulling out without looking.

 

[Abacist]

Every town, village, city and hamlet has a rectangular concrete road sign on every road entering the built up area. That signifies the start of the speed limit for towns and villages - don’t expect to see a speed limit sign as likely as not there will not be one. On leaving said town or village you will see the same sign again but this time with a diagonal red line through it. That is the end of the town/village speed limit

Take or exchange as soon as you can a note for a good supply of €1 pieces. You will likely need one for your supermarket trolley and to fill up with water at aires and at dump stations.

If you see a sign for a Les Routiers or Relais Routiers restaurant on the road please do stop and try it. They are great value road stops for truckers and people on the road needing a meal. Not found on motorways and dying out a bit as loads now travel on motorways.

It will likely be busy, fixed price, probably include wine, have limited choice but excellent quality. Quite often you buy a token at the bar which is your meal token, drink etc

Pis en lit is not bed wetting but dandelion leaves often used as salad leaves in France.

The way to say no thank you in French is Merci which can be confusing as it also means thank you. So if you are asked if you want something and you do want it say Oui s’il vous plait which means Yes Please

Essence is Petrol, Gasoil is diesel but green and black pump handles on hoses like ours.

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