Autoroute Transponders - SANEF office in Reims

[Nick M]

I shall ask here first, seeing as it's been discussed on here in the past.

My autoroute transponder was apparently a bit slow to register when my parents used it recently, which suggests the batteries maybe tired.

I gather there's a SANEF office in Reims where I can swap it for a new one, but I'm having trouble pinning down exactly where it is.

I'll be heading south from Calais on the A26 and then heading east on the A4 on my way to the Alps. I *think* the office is somewhere off the first junction after I join the A4 - Reim Tinqeaux or something like that - and that it's near the Novotel.

However, some slightly more specific directions or pointers would be very much appreciated if I'm to avoid being shot by SWMBO when we get lost in Reims

Thanks all

[Alex@POD]

Have you tried contacting them about the procedure for getting a replacement? There is a works yard just off the slip road, at the first exit after you join the A4, which is close to a few hotels (stayed at the Formula 1 myself), but I don't know if they would allow "customer" traffic through there...

[Nick M]

Alex@POD said:

Have you tried contacting them about the procedure for getting a replacement? There is a works yard just off the slip road, at the first exit after you join the A4, which is close to a few hotels (stayed at the Formula 1 myself), but I don't know if they would allow "customer" traffic through there...

Not yet to be honest. I had read on here that people had called into SANEF offices (the Reims one was mentioned a couple of times) and swapped them there and then.

If it wasn't approaching Christmas and we weren't heading off on 2nd Jan I'd probably send it back in the post, but I can't really risk that.

[Alex@POD]

Fair enough. That's the only place I can think of, as their website doesn't mention any office locations that I can see... I'd say email them to see if they tell you to just turn up with it somewhere...

[tlracing]

Nick M said:

However, some slightly more specific directions or pointers would be very much appreciated if I'm to avoid being shot by SWMBO when we get lost in Reims

You could always try getting 'lost' at Tinqueux by 'accidentally' heading towards Gueux. Then 'make a mistake' by turning right at an innocuous-looking traffic island with a restaurant next to it (La Garenne) and...oooops...you're suddenly on the old Reims Grand Prix track

[Nick M]

tlracing said:

Nick M said:

However, some slightly more specific directions or pointers would be very much appreciated if I'm to avoid being shot by SWMBO when we get lost in Reims

You could always try getting 'lost' at Tinqueux by 'accidentally' heading towards Gueux. Then 'make a mistake' by turning right at an innocuous-looking traffic island with a restaurant next to it (La Garenne) and...oooops...you're suddenly on the old Reims Grand Prix track

[burriana]

Drop Dazren a line on here ... he called in on MegaHoon 06 and they did indeed swap it there and then.

I got a new one via post earlier this year.

[dazren]

burriana said:

Drop Dazren a line on here ... he called in on MegaHoon 06 and they did indeed swap it there and then.

I got a new one via post earlier this year.

Freaky. We've both spotted this thread at the same time.

Megahoon 06 the gismo was working, stopped off at SANEF to get extra mounts for the unit (FOC). I stopped off again in April this year and they exchanged the unit on the spot as the battery was dead. Took about ten minutes including paperwork. (Note when unit doesn't work, just take ticket and at the paying booths, hand ticket and gismo to person who then charges the section to your Sanef account).


Now, directions for the OP, travelling southwards on the A26:

It is just southwest of junction 22 of the A4.

Coming from Calais southwards on the A26. At the end of the road keep in the right hand lane as it loops back under the A26 onto the A4 going eastbound, then keep right taking the immediate exit off the A4. The road runs parallel to the A4 and the SANEF complex is on the left after a few 100 metres (fields on right, SANEF offices is in the industrial estate type area on left).


Directions when travelling westwards on the A4:

Off at Junction 22 and follow the signs for "SANEF".

Which are up the sliproad, left at the roundabout, crossing over the autoroute, at next roundabout take first exit right, down a tight right handed loop sliproad dropping onto the A4 Eastbound. The alternative SANEF entrance is a gap in the wall on the left of this sliproad.

Approximate GPS location of the complex:

N49 15.175 E3 58.277


Note:
Very close to the Reims Tinqueux Novotel and Ibis hotels. The petrol over the road, next to McDonalds is pretty cheap too.

[Nick M]

dazren said:

burriana said:

Drop Dazren a line on here ... he called in on MegaHoon 06 and they did indeed swap it there and then.

I got a new one via post earlier this year.

Freaky. We've both spotted this thread at the same time.

Megahoon 06 the gismo was working, stopped off at SANEF to get extra mounts for the unit (FOC). I stopped off again in April this year and they exchanged the unit on the spot as the battery was dead. Took about ten minutes including paperwork. (Note when unit doesn't work, just take ticket and at the paying booths, hand ticket and gismo to person who then charges the section to your Sanef account).


Now, directions for the OP, travelling southwards on the A26:

It is just southwest of junction 22 of the A4.

Coming from Calais southwards on the A26. At the end of the road keep in the right hand lane as it loops back under the A26 onto the A4 going eastbound, then keep right taking the immediate exit off the A4. The road runs parallel to the A4 and the SANEF complex is on the left after a few 100 metres (fields on right, SANEF offices is in the industrial estate type area on left).


Directions when travelling westwards on the A4:

Off at Junction 22 and follow the signs for "SANEF".

Which are up the sliproad, left at the roundabout, crossing over the autoroute, at next roundabout take first exit right, down a tight right handed loop sliproad dropping onto the A4 Eastbound. The alternative SANEF entrance is a gap in the wall on the left of this sliproad.

Approximate GPS location of the complex:

N49 15.175 E3 58.277


Note:
Very close to the Reims Tinqueux Novotel and Ibis hotels. The petrol over the road, next to McDonalds is pretty cheap too.

Top stuff !! Thanks VERY much for making that so clear !!

[burriana]

[quote=dazrenFreaky. We've both spotted this thread at the same time.
[/quote]

Nah, technically I was 8 hrs 26 mins ahead of you

[James_N]

How does one go about getting their hands on one of these transponders?

I travel to france a few times a year, it would be handy

/edit - sorted it now, thanks

Edited by James_N on Saturday 6th December 03:52

[billy no brakes]

you can apply on line through http://www.sanef.com/fr/ only problem its all in french so if you can speak fench you will be okay my friends girlfriend is french and she told me what to do forgot how to, but they are really handy I drive a cerbera and it is awkward to pay at the toll being so low good luck

Bill

[James_N]

cheers ive just relised about the 2m height restriction. No good for when i take my caravan then

Still I might get one, will come in handy at some points.

[billy no brakes]

2m height restriction ? I think that is only to stop lorries etc using that row at the peage you use the other rows just look for sign above the row it looks like a tick

[lowdrag]

I've published this before but the télépéage transponders give a beep every time you go through a toll. If they stop beeping the battery is low and you will need a replacement. These are free and to find out where to get one just look on the site map of your supplier. This page shows where the SANEF offices are at péages throughout their area:-

http://www.sanef.com/fr/ecommerce/particulier/agen...

Just run your mouse over the one you want to use and it will show exactly where it is. Same for Cofiroute:-

http://www.cofiroute.fr/cofiroute.nsf/web/autorout...

Don't forget because I found out the hard way when I couldn't get off the motorway in pouring rain at midnight!

[bpowell555]

Has no one worked out how to change the battery on these themselves?

[lowdrag]

Get out a tin opener and try it yourself

[bpowell555]

Too chicken