Roudabouts in France..... (1 Viewer)

[Barclaybasher]

I am planning a trip to Lodz in Poland in June via Holland and Germany - done it before 'easy' drive, no tolls, few junctions, few roundabouts.
I am looking at then driving from Lodz to Toulon in France without using tolls
- the first 740 miles through Poland and Germany - few junctions, not a single roundabout.
From the French border (non toll) to Toulon, 460 miles - over 80 roundabouts! - average one every 6 miles!
I'll give it a go but with all of those and the constantly changing speed limits I can see me heading for the toll road - boring but less tiring and possibly no speeding tickets.....

 

[Podney]

You’ve summed it up really.....pay the tolls. Or maybe 50/50 so you don’t fall asleep through boredom!

 

[bigtree]

I am planning a trip to Lodz in Poland in June via Holland and Germany - done it before 'easy' drive, no tolls, few junctions, few roundabouts.
I am looking at then driving from Lodz to Toulon in France without using tolls
- the first 740 miles through Poland and Germany - few junctions, not a single roundabout.
From the French border (non toll) to Toulon, 460 miles - over 80 roundabouts! - average one every 6 miles!
I'll give it a go but with all of those and the constantly changing speed limits I can see me heading for the toll road - boring but less tiring and possibly no speeding tickets.....

Got to agree with you, I’m fed up of the number of roundabouts in France now.

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[Barclaybasher]

You’ve summed it up really.....pay the tolls. Or maybe 50/50 so you don’t fall asleep through boredom!

The toll road would be down the Rhone valley so at least some decent scenery

 

[Lenny HB]

The first time I drove in France there were only 2 or 3 in the country and the give way to the right applied when going round them. They were frightening to drive round.

 

[SmithsInFrance]

Whichever way you choose will be worth it, Toulon is beautiful. Only disappointment was we didn't bump into Jonny Wilkinson who was playing for them at the time

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[gus-lopez]

They were frightening to drive round.

They still are it is just that now there are hundreds of them

 

[bigtree]

The toll road would be down the Rhone valley so at least some decent scenery

It's a means to an end but hardly scenic, done it quite a few times to get to StRdP.

 

[Lenny HB]

They still are it is just that now there are hundreds of them

Nar easy now, if they brought back give way to the right on them that would be interesting.

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[TM59]

Its not just the the roundabouts in France, beware of the speed limits, they go up and down on some roads more than a yo-yo, and the speed cameras. Using tolls more than I ever have.

 

[Clarky]

The French are the world champions of roundabout building. It seems to have become a national sport.
In the last 2-3 years we have used more and more peage roads as the obstacles on other roads increase.
It's not just the ease of driving and quicker journeys but the reduction in danger from cranky French drivers, particularly just after lunch time, negotiating all the junctions and parked cars through towns.
On a motorway the speed limit is sensible and above the speed most of us would drive, unlike the D roads, so less chance of picking up a speeding fine.
Also, the wear and tear on the vehicle is so much less when cruising at a sensible speed and not constantly slowing and accelerating.
All of that mitigates much of the extra cost of tolls.

Richard.

 

[JJ]

At least you folk driving around France won't have the annoying problem I have...

...the authorities allocate a team of hidden people to follow me, just me, wherever I go and change each and every traffic light to red as I approach it.


JJ

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[nicholsong]

I am planning a trip to Lodz in Poland in June via Holland and Germany - done it before 'easy' drive, no tolls, few junctions, few roundabouts.
I am looking at then driving from Lodz to Toulon in France without using tolls
- the first 740 miles through Poland and Germany - few junctions, not a single roundabout.
From the French border (non toll) to Toulon, 460 miles - over 80 roundabouts! - average one every 6 miles!
I'll give it a go but with all of those and the constantly changing speed limits I can see me heading for the toll road - boring but less tiring and possibly no speeding tickets.....

I think you are making an unfair comparison because if you selected 'Non-Motorway' in Poland and Germany you might get a similar result'

The autobahns in Germany are free as are most of the M/ways in Poland(except A2 and A4, but cheap)

So really you should be considering the difference between the roundabouts in each country off motorway or considering the cost on-motorway.

It is irrational to mix the two concepts.

Geoff

 

[Just smiffy]

I love the roundabouts in France, they usually have a theme on them depending on what the local town produces and when I’m dawdling along I go round them twice to let the traffic pass from behind me….

 

[Daz n Tina]

I don’t mind the roundabouts in France, usually so little traffic I go around them as fast as I can treating them like a slalom course. Can’t open a beer for over an hour once I’ve pitched up as it’s to shaken up but the tossed salad in the fridge tastes good

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[Scotch mist]

At roundabouts The french come in so fast & don’t use indicators, you just have to guess which gap to go for , it cracks the wife up , she is always saying you pulled out in front of that car , she’s right BUT if I hadn’t I’d still be in France now

 

[chaser]

It's quite simple really, if you are just wanting to get somewhere quick without much trouble, take the tolls.
If you are just touring the area, use the other roads and take your time to view the country side and the villages, and you will get to not worrying about the roundabouts.

 

[Barclaybasher]

I think you are making an unfair comparison because if you selected 'Non-Motorway' in Poland and Germany you might get a similar result'

The autobahns in Germany are free as are most of the M/ways in Poland(except A2 and A4, but cheap)

So really you should be considering the difference between the roundabouts in each country off motorway or considering the cost on-motorway.

It is irrational to mix the two concepts.

Geoff

True, but there are now so many traffic calming measures, multiple speed limits, checking your speedometer constantly even when the roads are empty of traffic and pedestrians - it's just getting a bit less enjoyable (or relaxing) than it used to be

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[filopastry]

Considering the French have possible more roundabouts per km of road than anyone else in Europe it astounds me they cannot negotiate them with any level of competence.

They arrive at the roundabout, and stop, presumably incapable of looking ahead and planning their approach.
OH! a roundabout, stop, anyone there ? no, ok we will continue, then enter the roundabout intending to go straight ahead and indicate left for the first exit and then right for the second, assuming a standard 4 exit cross style roundabout. Or worse still, no indicators.

boils my ****

phil

 

[jongood]

A bit more research into how much tolls are is probably worthwhile. If you blindly follow the satnav it will take you miles around to avoid a toll of even 1 euro.

I find planning the main part of the route in advance is better, If you buy one of these (amazon or most french supermarkets) it will show you which routes have tolls ( you might be surprised by some of the good roads that don't) and then do a bit of googling for the specific sections that are tolled. That way I choose which bits are better on toll or not.

 

[Popty]

Try Milton Keynes, no tolls and roundabouts every 100 yards or so and no scenery to speak of

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[kevenh]

A bit more research into how much tolls are is probably worthwhile. If you blindly follow the satnav it will take you miles around to avoid a toll of even 1 euro.

I find planning the main part of the route in advance is better, If you buy one of these (amazon or most french supermarkets) it will show you which routes have tolls ( you might be surprised by some of the good roads that don't) and then do a bit of googling for the specific sections that are tolled. That way I choose which bits are better on toll or not.

View attachment 493738

Is this online version showing the same details?

Or do funsters need this book’s newer release?

 

[busby]

The first time I drove in France there were only 2 or 3 in the country and the give way to the right applied when going round them. They were frightening to drive round.

They still are as the French do not have a clue and don't know what indicators are.BUSBY.

 

[jongood]

Is this online version showing the same details?

Or do funsters need this book’s newer release?

The map shows toll or non toll roads in different colours, makes it very easy for actual route planning and then yes go to something like that for the detail.

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[jongood]

They still are as the French do not have a clue and don't know what indicators are.BUSBY.

I disagree. They do it the French way, we are the visitors after all

 

[tony_g]

Given the number of 'safety cameras' in France now and the vagaries of fluctuating speed limits, there are no non-toll roads any more

 

[buttons]

At roundabouts The french come in so fast & don’t use indicators, you just have to guess which gap to go for , it cracks the wife up , she is always saying you pulled out in front of that car , she’s right BUT if I hadn’t I’d still be in France now

My introduction to driving in New York from my son who lived there was. Dont use your indicators dad, it gives the opposition too much information which they will take advantage of. It is a bit like that driving in France.

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[busby]

I disagree. They do it the French way, we are the visitors after all

French way
is to take a completely unatural line and don't indicate,, Like the way the Truckers keep them at Bay though,,BUSBY.

 

[Brains]

Some years ago, driving a large van around the Arc de Triumph in Paris.
Got cut up
My mate, in the passenger seat, leans out of the window and gesticulates with both arms

The French drivers, seeing 'the driver' lean out with both arms, create a parting like the Red Sea

 

[EuroTrotters]

You are using the wrong routes.

choose the correct intinerie BIS

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