French Autoroutes / N-roads - what average speeds?

[havoc]

Off to the South of France this summer, first time for many years!

So, to those who drive in France regularly, what sort of genuine average speeds (trip averages, not speedo-indicated) do you manage?

Also, what cruising-speeds do you adopt on the Autoroutes and N-roads respectively - I'm assuming the Gendarmes are rather strict with us Brits??? Is 140km/h (or 110 for the N-roads) the limit, or is that too high?

Thanks all,

Martin.

[havoc]

Thanks Bill.

Already plotted a route to avoid Paris, and remembered the town-sign = speed limit bit, but wasn't really sure about the plod and how 'rigorous' they were, either on A's or N's. Tend to be very good in towns anyway, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Out of interest, is the whole "timed run speeding fine" between the Peage's true or apocryphal (i.e. if you've averaged 135km/h between them you get done)?

[havoc]

r129sl said:

On N routes you may wish to be a bit more careful. The limit is 55mph on single-carriageways. You probably ought to keep it under 70.

Oh crap it's 90km/h isn't it - I was thinking 100!

In which case 100-105 is probably the top-end on open N-roads. What about a certain N85...any gendarmes along there?!?

[havoc]

Thanks again guys.

Anyone know if there's an internet map of French camera locations, same as you can find for the UK? Static and/or mobile...or do the gendarmes just park-up where they like and hang an LTI out of the window?!?

[havoc]

itsnotarace said:

Have been stopped along the N85 by both an unmarked car and also a pair of police bikes so beware, there are some sections that are truly inviting! I tend to try and hit the N85 either very early or very late in the day. Not only do you avoid the tourists in campervans, you also avoid the majority of the police.

Unmarked cars??? Bugger! Our itinerary has us reaching the good part of the N85 around lunch on a Friday! (We're overnighting in Lyon as my folks are in Kent so we can get an early tunnel crossing and reach Lyon in time for some dinner)

Wonder if it's worth retracing part of the route later that week?!?* ...for photography purposes, you understand!

Also - from either St Paul or Villefranche as a base, is it worth the trip across into Italy, either for better roads (or fewer police?) or for scenery/stuff to do??? After some fantastic, quiet and un-police'd roads in Scotland, I'm starting to wonder if SE France is going to be rather frustrating...




* Or should I just stick to the various Cols (Vence, Turini, etc.)...and are THEY policed much???

[havoc]

Pvapour said:

live right by col de vence no police

Cool, thanks. We're staying on the outskirts of St. Paul for 4 days - any recommendations? (Restaurants / roads / more roads / stuff to do/see).


PS - NICE garage there chap...must be tough deciding what to drive of a morning!

[havoc]

Pvapour said:

Eze
the most stunning views I have ever sampled at any restaurant in the world and prices to match http://www.chevredor.com/uk/index.php#index.php worth a trip here even just for a drink and walk round grounds

:faints-clutching-his-wallet:

Thanks very much for those ideas - really appreciated!