Buying snowchains in France!
Discussion
I'm off to the Alps on wednesday and like the massive nob I am I forgot to get snowchains!
Halfords have some on order for me but no guarantee they will arrive tommorow, failing this I understand it's relatively easy to pick some up at the motorway services, garages or le halfords type shops in France. Can anyone confirm they are generally fairly available in France?
Ta.
Halfords have some on order for me but no guarantee they will arrive tommorow, failing this I understand it's relatively easy to pick some up at the motorway services, garages or le halfords type shops in France. Can anyone confirm they are generally fairly available in France?
Ta.
In Nice they were available at most service stations, but it can be tricky to get them in the right size sometimes. I had to buy some snow socks last time and they were far easier to fit than the chains. All you do is stick them over the top of the tyres, roll back a bit and cover the other half of the tyres.
By the way, whereabouts are you going? What's the journey time like?
By the way, whereabouts are you going? What's the journey time like?
Edited by Webber3 on Monday 4th January 14:07
davido140 said:
Did you get the socks from service stations? I'm well aware of them and would prefer a set of those but thought they were a mail order/internet only deal?
I'm not 100% sure where they came from. There were about 5 cars in our party and the car hire place had just one set of chains (lots of snow last year!). A couple of our guys took a car and drove around Nice looking for something for all of us whilst we waited at the airport. They couldn't find any chains for our car, so we ended up with socks. When we returned to Nice we stopped at a big supermarket and I did notice they were selling the socks there, so in that area at least it seems they're quite common.Why don't you rent some from this lot? http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/rentals_car.htm
They're in Kent, so you could pick them up on your way past (assuming you're not already in Kent).
Yes, you can buy chains in French supermarkets and garages but they may not have your size. You can also buy snow socks in service stations but they are not legally recognised as being snow-chains in France so if the Gendarme tells you to fit chains and you bring out a little fabric pouch, you are at the mercy of his mood that day. That said, if there's no snow on the roads to the resort, you won't need either (and keep your fingers crossed there'll be none when you want to come back).
They're in Kent, so you could pick them up on your way past (assuming you're not already in Kent).
Yes, you can buy chains in French supermarkets and garages but they may not have your size. You can also buy snow socks in service stations but they are not legally recognised as being snow-chains in France so if the Gendarme tells you to fit chains and you bring out a little fabric pouch, you are at the mercy of his mood that day. That said, if there's no snow on the roads to the resort, you won't need either (and keep your fingers crossed there'll be none when you want to come back).
Gio G said:
A friend just got back last night from the Alps, he is looking for someone to take over his snowchains. He brought them brand new and will be changing his car in the next few weeks, what size do you need?
205/55 r16 for the mundaneo. I'm guessing this is a common size, which will either mean they will be in stock everywhere or they will have sold out everywhere as its a common size! 
Good idea about the kent rental place, ferry is at 6am-ish so wont be an option to pick them up on the way through Kent.
I've got 600 miles of service stations etc. before I should hit the snowy bits so fingers crossed if halfords fails I should be OK.
To be fair they are normally s
t hot on clearing the roads so provided its not been dumping during the day we'll be ok.I'm tempted to pop over to Mitcheldever tyres and get some proper winter/snow tyres fitted tommorow, I've only got steel wheels on the old diesel minicab so I can pick up a second set for the summer tyres to go back onto when I get back and from the threads on here and our recent cold snap it seems a pretty good idea to get some even for over here.
But they often don't stock more performance orientated sizes (ie for wide tyres).Norauto
http://www.norauto.fr/
french equivalent to Halfords. YOu should find you size there no problem
http://www.norauto.fr/
french equivalent to Halfords. YOu should find you size there no problem
Bluebarge said:
Why don't you rent some from this lot? http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/rentals_car.htm
They're in Kent, so you could pick them up on your way past (assuming you're not already in Kent).
For the price of £34 I'm getting quoted on here for a days rental I can buy a set from ebay for pretty much the same price:They're in Kent, so you could pick them up on your way past (assuming you're not already in Kent).
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
I've bought them in France on the way, in Bourg-St-Maurice. All the places mentioned are good. One thing.
1. You must have a set, even if it's not snowing. There are signs (and aires to fit them in) stating the beginning of the "equipment obilgatoire" zone, meaning you must have either chains or winter tyres from that point onwards.
1. You must have a set, even if it's not snowing. There are signs (and aires to fit them in) stating the beginning of the "equipment obilgatoire" zone, meaning you must have either chains or winter tyres from that point onwards.
Raify said:
I've bought them in France on the way, in Bourg-St-Maurice. All the places mentioned are good. One thing.
1. You must have a set, even if it's not snowing. There are signs (and aires to fit them in) stating the beginning of the "equipment obilgatoire" zone, meaning you must have either chains or winter tyres from that point onwards.
Very important point. This is because people happily drive up to the snow stations on gritted cleared roads, park up in the multi-storey all week, and then the night before they need to come home it dumps 6" and they're stuck. 1. You must have a set, even if it's not snowing. There are signs (and aires to fit them in) stating the beginning of the "equipment obilgatoire" zone, meaning you must have either chains or winter tyres from that point onwards.
Also remember that it's now compulsory to have a high-vis jacket IN THE CAR - not in the boot. Tesco sell cheapo ones.
woof said:
nothing like putting on a set of snow chains in freezing conditions - like a mensa test !
It can be painful as well. Last year most of our group forgot to unpack their gloves and jackets after leaving the airport. It was quite warm and sunny when we left Nice, but not so warm 2,000 meters up the mountain. Glad I thought ahead that day, had to help one chap with his chains as his hands had seized up. Both of his hands were covered in an icy glaze!sadako said:
I've not seen these snow socks before. I was going to get snow chains on the recommendations of this forum but am considering this as a more practical alternative.
With either snow chains or these things do I put them on the driving wheels only or the steering ones too?
They sell them in sets of 4, so all wheels I'd say. Wouldn't want to lose your rear end on a corner.With either snow chains or these things do I put them on the driving wheels only or the steering ones too?
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