Taking the Elise to France

[Andy G Bmth]

I am off to the south of France in the next few weeks in the Elise. thsi will b ethe first time i'v etaken the elise abroad and driven in france for ten years.

nay tips with regard to packing, changing beam direction, tolls and more importantly roads to check out

all advice gratefully received

Andy

[S Works]

Andy G Bmth said:

I am off to the south of France in the next few weeks in the Elise. thsi will b ethe first time i'v etaken the elise abroad and driven in france for ten years.

nay tips with regard to packing, changing beam direction, tolls and more importantly roads to check out

all advice gratefully received

Andy

Packing - try to separate everything into a number of smaller carrier bags, and then get a soft larger bag that you can fold up and leave on top. You can then stuff things into every nook and cranny around any larger, harder items. When you get to your destination you can then pull things out and stuff them into the larger bag for any overnight stops if you need to carry them into a hotel etc.

Beams? CBA with all that hassle, but you can get sticker kits @ Eurotunnel or the Ferries IIRC.

Tolls? Try and get hold of one of the auto-toll jobbies that charges your credit card. You can apply for them over here and they'll post it to you. That way you don't have to arse about at peages and can just drive through the automated tolls. Way quicker, especially if you don't have a passenger!

[The Bandit]

I never bother with the beams Andy,just make sure you have two high-vis vests INSIDE the car and your warning triangle in the boot.
Taking a spare set of bulbs is always worthwhile(depending on how much gear the Mrs takes ).
A Tom Tom or similar is another obvious choice not only for directions and speed cameras but to warn you when you're driving on the wrong side of the road

Also make sure you have all your documents(V5,insurance,driving licence etc).

Enjoy it and be prepared for all the attention you'll get in the liz in France

[NJS25]

S works is on the money with the packing - recycle those carrier bags. Oh and don't forget the space behind the seats.

I would avoid toll roads and motorways, only because the B roads in France are magnificent - smooth, fast, lots of corners - paradise for an Elise.

The le mans circuit public roads are worth a trip, just be careful if you decide to take the racing line between the curbs, you may find encounter a 2CV coming round the corner!

Also be prepared to stop to allow adults to photograph the car and children to sit in it - the French love Lotus.

Regards, Neil

wrt headlights, I called into a lotus dealer on the way and asked them to adjust the beams. Took the mechanic a couple of minutes and although he wasn't going to charge me I gave him a few quid to reward his kindness. He reset them on the way back as well.

Edited by NJS25 on Thursday 2nd July 23:22

[Stu_00]

In regards to the lights, the cluster units pre 2007 (or maybe 2008) are different to those of 2008. I am not 100% sure, but I know my 2006 units had a little beam adjustment for traveling in Europe, but not sure if the 2008 clusters do. Check the handbook should tell you in there,if you do have an adjustment I can guide you if you wont to go to the bother.

However, do not worry. Just Pack Hi Vis vest, first aid kit, & warning triangle. I suspect you will not be traveling at night too much in the Elise.

[anonymous-user]

If you've not used it abroad recently check that your credit card will work over there as some cards don't (Barclaycard iirc is one) unless you've notified them when you'll be away. Fortunately UK chip and pin now works in French automated petrol pumps as many petrol stations will be unstaffed on Sundays and in the evenings.

Edit: An A3 Michelin map is a worthwhile investment for route planning as it gives so much more information about the environment you'll be driving in than a satnav. Look for roads bordered with green. Good Lotus areas are the Tarn Gorge round Millau, Mont Ventoux near Carpentras, and the area within the Briancon - Sospel - Valensole triangle. Look at a map and you'll see why.

Have fun!

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 3rd July 16:47

[Andy G Bmth]

thanks for all the advice lads..

i can't wait although i don't think the missus has realised yet just how much stuff she is goiing to have to sacrifice!!!!!

2 weeks and counting.......

[S Works]

All points noted above are well founded, especially take note on some of the motoring websites about what you're legally required to carry in the car (docs and emergency *stuff* as noted above). I need to do this actually, am off to the Dordogne in 3 weeks. Will be getting down there as quickly as poss so I can then enjoy the gorgeous roads of the area and the V6 woofling of the Zed.

[Andy G Bmth]

Near to where I'm going then, we are off on the 18th. What zed have you got?

[Andy G Bmth]

What is the score with gb plates and stickers, what is needed?

[mj01]

Andy

Just back myself from two and a half weeks touring south west France and the Pyrenees. My wife navigates using a road atlas, better than a sat nav, as you know where you are relative to other places of interest, as well as getting from A to B. You'll love the roads, although they do seem to be more patched / less smooth than previous years (credit crunch?). I agree re other posters the interest the Elise generates. Gets shouts, flashes and photographed 3 or 4 times a day on average. Have a great time!

[Gad-Westy]

Andy G Bmth said:

What is the score with gb plates and stickers, what is needed?

You'll need either a GB sticker (not a magnetic one!) or a rear numberplate with a GB EU badge thing. I've just bought a new rear plate for mine and it didn't cost much. Neater than having a GB sticker. Just making up a list of tools that I think I'm going to take when we go in Augustl, will post it when I'm finished.

[Gad-Westy]

Ok, as promised, This is what I'm taking tool wise. Hoping to fit a lot of it down in front of the battery in a sealed bag of some description. Was also intending to velcro the bulb and fuse kit under the dashboard out of sight and out of the way. This list is kind of based on being able to do jobs that I'd be happy doing at the side of the road so I haven't gone over the top (some may disagree!) but has just enough to fix a lot of the little things that could go wrong. I did put some consideration into whether to take tools so that I could take a wheel off if need be but decided on balance that the AA can take care of a job like that. Tyre weld can fix any minor punctures.

1/4” Halfords Socket set (Highly recommend these, have a full range of screwdriver, allen key and torx drivers as well as 4mm-15mm sockets)
WD40 Pen
Duck Tape (Going to see if they sell small rolls of this rather than the normal huge ones)
Bulb kit
Cable Ties
Triangle
Mini LED Torch
Electrician Tape
Fuses
Medium Adjustable Spanner
Medium Size Mole Grips
Tyre weld
1l oil
Rag
Spark Plug Socket
3/8" extension
3/8" Rachet
Tyre Pressure Gauge
Leatherman
High vis vests
Mini First Aid Kit

Quick word of warning, the high vis vest will have to be inside the car. I'll also keep the first aid kit and leatherman inside with us as well.

[Andy G Bmth]

just starting to get everything together for the trip now as the ferry is booked for friday. i have a feeling that i have left it too late to order a toll card as i have been told they can take a week to com through. can you buy them over there?

can anyone recommend any roads to drive between cherbourg and bordeaux?

[bordseye]

With my 2007 car the beam change was a matter of jacking up each corner, removing wheel, removing wheel arch and then the light assembly - all to operate a little lever thingy in the lights.

\Have never bothered to switch them back cos all the lever did was cut off the excess light to the left. It didnt put extra light to the right

[mj01]

Andy

Once closer to Bordeaux, La Rochelle is worth a visit. Going a few miles south from there, the 18th? century walled town / village of Brouage is interesting and a suspension workout over the cobbles! Again a few miles south, the D25 which follows the coast through the Foret Domaniale De La Coubre has some twists and good scenery. Once at Royan, DON'T be tempted to take the ferry across the Gironde estuary to Le Verdon Sur Mer as it's very touristy and commercialised down that peninsular; instead, keep the Gironde on your right as you head south on the D25, D145, D146, D18, D255, D669. I would also suggest you avoid the centre of Bordeaux, lots of road works. To choose our routes, we've used a Philip's French road atlas and chosen the more minor / twisting roads, including those shown with a green edge indicating a scenic route. Hope you have a fabulous time and look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.

[tom_allen]

Not sure if its been mentioned but its worth having European breakdown cover. I've just got back from a trip to the Nurburgring. While i was there my engine dropped a valve meaning I couldn't drive the car home. I am so pleased I took out cover as it means my car will be returned to my home address F.O.C.

Worth bearing in mind.

Cheers

[Gad-Westy]

tom_allen said:

Not sure if its been mentioned but its worth having European breakdown cover. I've just got back from a trip to the Nurburgring. While i was there my engine dropped a valve meaning I couldn't drive the car home. I am so pleased I took out cover as it means my car will be returned to my home address F.O.C.

Worth bearing in mind.

Cheers

There are a few companies that can do temporary cover. Tesco do it for about £30 for 28 days but I'd be interested to hear of any other recommendations.

[Andy G Bmth]

i have lotus assist still but not sure if that covers europe or not so will have to have a dig about i think............

[theturbs]

Gad-Westy said:

tom_allen said:

Not sure if its been mentioned but its worth having European breakdown cover. I've just got back from a trip to the Nurburgring. While i was there my engine dropped a valve meaning I couldn't drive the car home. I am so pleased I took out cover as it means my car will be returned to my home address F.O.C.

Worth bearing in mind.

Cheers

There are a few companies that can do temporary cover. Tesco do it for about £30 for 28 days but I'd be interested to hear of any other recommendations.

The AA get my vote for this.