Lost in France
Discussion
Afternoon all,
I am off to France for a week at christmas. Going over on ferry from Portsmouth Caen. Then we drive to Bourdoux which is about 350 miles ish.
Any tips from you seasoned travellers about things to take, routes to take and or little things to check on the car before going. I'm trying to get the millage up so its ready for the big service in the spring and my little girl is just itching to get out and play.
Cheers for help as always
Jimbo
I am off to France for a week at christmas. Going over on ferry from Portsmouth Caen. Then we drive to Bourdoux which is about 350 miles ish.
Any tips from you seasoned travellers about things to take, routes to take and or little things to check on the car before going. I'm trying to get the millage up so its ready for the big service in the spring and my little girl is just itching to get out and play.
Cheers for help as always
Jimbo
Do not take any speed detecting devices - 750 euros on the spot fine!
Do take all documents, insurance, log book etc - it's the law to carry them as well as spare bulbs etc.
Fuel is slightly cheaper so fill up once across.
Car charger for a phone - sounds daft but I forgot mine once!
AA gold euro cover is a good policy as well!
Do take all documents, insurance, log book etc - it's the law to carry them as well as spare bulbs etc.
Fuel is slightly cheaper so fill up once across.
Car charger for a phone - sounds daft but I forgot mine once!
AA gold euro cover is a good policy as well!
1) AA five star, just for peace of mind
2) Relays & fuses that may not be readily available
3) Alternator belt
4) That stuff you spread on the screen when the wipers don't work
Have a blast, it's great fun zipping through Europe! best leave the radar dtector at home though..you risk getting it crushed!
2) Relays & fuses that may not be readily available
3) Alternator belt
4) That stuff you spread on the screen when the wipers don't work
Have a blast, it's great fun zipping through Europe! best leave the radar dtector at home though..you risk getting it crushed!
Been driving across France for 23 years and been pulled twice.
First for doing 100 in a 60 limit. Pleaded stupidity (A safe bet if you're British) and was let off.
Second was 100 in a 70 limit (It was the Sunday morning after Di had been killed and all traffic cops had been told to do 'voluntary overtime') Fine was 90 squid on the credit card. The officer said it would have been 60 if I had a French license but they had to supplement 50% as they couldn't endorse me !
On the spot cash fines are reseved for third-world countries like Spain !
French cops love eccentricities like TVR owners with soft-tops at Christmastime so, as long as you've got a pack of Gitaines on the dashboard, and are willing to practice your technical franglais terms about her for 20 mins you'll have very little trouble with the law.
Petrol is cheaper there and headlamp tape is not necessary (You could always reach through, loosen the two outside headlight housing retainers, remove the middle one and turn the lights anti-clockwise to their stops and you'll have continental settings - Reduces the risk of serious mistakes when you're Kerb-crawlling !! - Vive la differance)
They celebrate nutters, not persecute them !
>> Edited by DeathRace2005 on Friday 2nd December 11:32
First for doing 100 in a 60 limit. Pleaded stupidity (A safe bet if you're British) and was let off.
Second was 100 in a 70 limit (It was the Sunday morning after Di had been killed and all traffic cops had been told to do 'voluntary overtime') Fine was 90 squid on the credit card. The officer said it would have been 60 if I had a French license but they had to supplement 50% as they couldn't endorse me !
On the spot cash fines are reseved for third-world countries like Spain !
French cops love eccentricities like TVR owners with soft-tops at Christmastime so, as long as you've got a pack of Gitaines on the dashboard, and are willing to practice your technical franglais terms about her for 20 mins you'll have very little trouble with the law.
Petrol is cheaper there and headlamp tape is not necessary (You could always reach through, loosen the two outside headlight housing retainers, remove the middle one and turn the lights anti-clockwise to their stops and you'll have continental settings - Reduces the risk of serious mistakes when you're Kerb-crawlling !! - Vive la differance)
They celebrate nutters, not persecute them !
>> Edited by DeathRace2005 on Friday 2nd December 11:32
Bomber Denton said:
Another thing that I do is leave the spare wheel at home and take two cans of tyre weld instead, surprising how much space this releases in the boot!
Erm spare tyre????? Am I being daft on not looked somewhere. i just got a free can of tyre weld when I bought the car.
By the way cheers for all the info chaps....appreciate it
just_william said:
Another thing that I do is leave the spare wheel at home and take two cans of tyre weld instead, surprising how much space this releases in the boot!
Erm spare tyre????? Am I being daft on not looked somewhere. i just got a free can of tyre weld when I bought the car.
By the way cheers for all the info chaps....appreciate it
The Chimaera came with a spare wheel (spacesaver) located in the off side rear corner of the boot, should have a vinyl cover over it with the jack inside unless it has already been removed?
neilsheppard said:
Don't forget to convert the headlamps with tape, apparently they give you an on the spot fine - even if you only drive in daylight hours! This is what the chap at Hoverspeed advised me when I went over in July.
I've never taped my lights over. No probs despite several 'exchanges' with Police in France and Italy.
Never had a GB sticker either (or numberplate).
just_william said:
Another thing that I do is leave the spare wheel at home and take two cans of tyre weld instead, surprising how much space this releases in the boot!
Erm spare tyre????? Am I being daft on not looked somewhere. i just got a free can of tyre weld when I bought the car.
By the way cheers for all the info chaps....appreciate it
Spare tyres were not included with the later Chimaeras and were replaced by tyre weld. I think this was from about '99 onwards, but can't be sure.
>> Edited by timmybob on Friday 2nd December 13:12
Legal requirements:
1. V5c (or older V5) Registration Document. You probably need to take the MoT Certificate as well.
2. Insurance certificate detailing limited European cover. If your certificate doesn't denote this, ask your insurer for a 'Green Card'. They're often free.
3. Driving Licence.
4. Spare bulb set. This must be suitable for your car - you can't take H7 headlamp bulbs if your car is fitted with H4 lamps etc.
5. Warning triangle
6. GB sticker. 'Euro' numberplates with GB in the blue strip at the side will suffice.
It's a good idea to get European breakdown cover, as mentioned. As far as taping the headlamps is concerned, you must obstruct the nearside beam (as when driving on the right it becomes a dazzling offside beam!) or deflect it. Many stick-on variants are available - drive without them at your peril.
Also, take whatever spares you can carry that may be difficult to obtain in France (eg. fanbelt) and tools to fit them.
Whilst fixed speed cameras are few and far between in France, mobile traps are quite common and hiding behind bushes at the bottom of a hill on a long straight road is fair game for the 'gendarmerie' and national police alike.
Most petrol stations sell 98 octane unleaded. Once you're a few miles from the ferry port, expect to pay up to €1.20 (84p) a litre for it.
And if you stop for a petit apéritif, remember to drive on the wrong side of the road! It's amazing how easy it is to forget if you've just set off. Most of all, enjoy it!
1. V5c (or older V5) Registration Document. You probably need to take the MoT Certificate as well.
2. Insurance certificate detailing limited European cover. If your certificate doesn't denote this, ask your insurer for a 'Green Card'. They're often free.
3. Driving Licence.
4. Spare bulb set. This must be suitable for your car - you can't take H7 headlamp bulbs if your car is fitted with H4 lamps etc.
5. Warning triangle
6. GB sticker. 'Euro' numberplates with GB in the blue strip at the side will suffice.
It's a good idea to get European breakdown cover, as mentioned. As far as taping the headlamps is concerned, you must obstruct the nearside beam (as when driving on the right it becomes a dazzling offside beam!) or deflect it. Many stick-on variants are available - drive without them at your peril.
Also, take whatever spares you can carry that may be difficult to obtain in France (eg. fanbelt) and tools to fit them.
Whilst fixed speed cameras are few and far between in France, mobile traps are quite common and hiding behind bushes at the bottom of a hill on a long straight road is fair game for the 'gendarmerie' and national police alike.
Most petrol stations sell 98 octane unleaded. Once you're a few miles from the ferry port, expect to pay up to €1.20 (84p) a litre for it.
And if you stop for a petit apéritif, remember to drive on the wrong side of the road! It's amazing how easy it is to forget if you've just set off. Most of all, enjoy it!
High visibility jacket( and wear it if you break down) which is unlikely. Buy a Michelin France road atlas and try to use only the roads which are coloured yellow. These are FANTASTIC and specifically designed by the French for TVR driving. If you want a suggested route to Bordeaux from the ferry email me when you have your map and I will try to suggest one or two alternatives. sTeVeR
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