Getting Around

Holidays by Destination Europe France General Getting Around 

Driving

The quickest way of getting from A to B is by autoroute. The major ones charge a toll though in less frequented areas, for example Brittany or the A10 between Poitiers and Orleans, this is not the case. For information including on tolls see the Autoroutes web site

If you do not have a powerful car and/or prefer to take things more gently you can look for alternative routes. French A roads are considerably less crowded than those in the UK the driving should be relatively easy.

If you want help with routing look for the Bison Fute (the Crafty Bison) information. This is free from France Information (09068) 244 123 (6op/minute) or info@mdlf.co.uk or visit the French language web site [www.bison-fute.quipement.gouv.fr]. An annual map offers "itineraires bis" - alternative, quieter routes, often on B-roads. These are sometimes sign-posted should you not have had time to get the Bison map which is available either en route, usually on the motorways, from the French Tourist Office in Piccadilly, or from French Information (see box). In addition to routes it details the 60 or so centres on main national roads where there is free information on the traffic situation and advice on routing. Between 15 June and 31 August the centres are open daily, otherwise at weekends and public holidays.

Also marked on the Bison map may be areas where there are likely to be delays, plus service areas with extra activities (see below). The map may also gives dates of greatest traffic congestion for the relevant year. For other road and traffic information see the French government web site .

Alternative routing advice is available as a printout from the AA or for members from the AA's information centre (0990) 500 600. You should enter details of your Continental arrival port or airport and destination and indicate if you want to avoid toll motorways or roads unsuitable for caravans.

Further information is available at 60p a minute covering French motorways and tolls (09003) 401 884 (60p a minute); the price and availability of fuel (09003) 401 883; on weather in the Channel and northern France (09003) 401 361; and on motoring advice and road conditions to and from Disneyland Paris (09003) 401 400.

The best road atlas for France is the annual Michelin Tourist and Motoring Atlas: France, £17.25. A green strip alongside a road indicates it is considered particularly scenic.

The French authorities are aware that an estimated 38% of fatal accidents on their roads are due to fatigue. They therefore increase the attractions at major service stations in the summer season from late June to early September to encourage drivers to pull over and relax every couple of hours or so. For summer 2000, 50 service areas were beefed up this way, indicated by the Andre le Lutin sign of a pixie leapfrogging a toadstool.

Sports activities include archery, climbing and fitness classes with trained instructors, there is entertainment from country dancing to live bands, plus clowns, archery lessons; and supervised playgroups for children. There are also local history and wildlife excursion and free eye and reflex tests for drivers.

Leaflets detailing events are available at the service stations but also at the Saprr web site .

Throughout the year at the autoroute service areas you should find baby changing facilities at most service stops with eating facilities and you should be able to find full details of staffed baby changing and feeding units at www.relaisbebe.nestle.fr. These also usually have some kind of play area, often restricted to children between 2 and 10 years.

The autoroutes also offer "Aires". These are car parking stops with lavatories (generally of the squatting variety with possibly a standard option in a disabled toilet). There may also be a play area and more usually areas for picnicking. Service stops can be horribly crowded in July and August, at say a late lunch. It may therefore well be preferable to pack your own supplies and take a more peaceful break at an aire.

Finally, if you want to avoid all the hassle of the route-planning, driving and keeping the children happy, you could consider motorail [Getting There]. At around £570 for a return to Avignon for a car and a family of four this looks expensive but the AA calculates that it is no more than around £200 more expensive than driving, taking into account motorway tolls, meals en route etc. It can be an adventure for children sleeping on the train and it is safer than French motorways in peak season.

A final point, children under 10 cannot travel in the front seat of the car unless under 9 months and in a rear-facing child seat.

Train

Eurostar connects with the French network most conveniently at Lille where you may have to do no more than change platforms. The high speed TGVs will take you over the long distances in comfort but though there are also minor routes, these may not get you to places far off the beaten track - though in some cases they get close. [See Getting There - Rail]