New to France | Auvergne

[j44esd]

Hello fellow PH French forum users - as a result of a promotion at work (start Monday) - I’m now based in France!

After a week without a house it feels great to have several hundred boxes to empty...I think...

I’ve worked for a French company for 15 years and my family (Mum, Dad & Sister) moved here in 1998 when I started at University - so I’ve been lucky to have a lot of help from my family settling in (sister is still in the Auvergne, mum and dad now near Cognac).

Just wanted to make a quick post to say ‘hello’ and see if anyone had any advice to offer / useful car related info!

Thanks in advance!

[j44esd]

RONV said:

you lucky man I have wanted to move to France for over 20 years but not allowed to, we travel twice a year on classic runs and attended Angouleme Circuit de Remparts, we leave on Sunday for a 2 week classic run as we are members of a French motor club and its their 4 day meeting in Orleans this year great food and wine and company,

Excellent! As a big fan of French red wine I’m looking forward to learning and experiencing more of it!

With regard to the rest of the experience, I’ll let you know in 6mths or so!

I spent an hour today at the local Audi garage trying to acquire a ‘certificate of conformity’ resulting in me finding it easier to order one from the U.K...

[j44esd]

leyorkie said:

I spent an hour today at the local Audi garage trying to acquire a ‘certificate of conformity’ resulting in me finding it easier to order one from the U.K...

Unless the CoC is free don’t bother it’s not necessarily needed any more.
You can turn up without it and if the matching record is on the system them it’s ok. If it’s not then you will need one but if the same model has been registered then it’s not needed.

Thanks leyorkie - already ordered from Audi U.K...doh!

Edited by j44esd on Saturday 5th May 08:41

Edited by j44esd on Saturday 5th May 08:41

[j44esd]

leyorkie said:

Double doh!
If it’s a official Audi you should be able to argue that the car should have one and get it foc
Mercedes do this. Apparently new cars should be issued with one but nobody bothers

Yeah - someone else said this....but it’s a 2011 plate (diesel estate needs must in the short term...) - so I figured I was a little late for grace and favour...

[j44esd]

Rushjob said:

Whereabouts in the Auvergne are you?

Just outside Clermont-Ferrand

[j44esd]

rdjohn said:

Are you with Michelin?

When you get back to your Porsche you may be able to take it to Charade. Got to be the prettiest /most challenging circuit in France.

I guess the location gives it away... You’re correct of course - though I normally try and separate ‘work’ and ‘hobby’ Cars IYSWIM?

How about yourself?

[j44esd]

Rushjob said:

j44esd said:

Just outside Clermont-Ferrand

Not far from us then, we're about halfway between CF and Montlucon.
Have you been let loose on the test track?

Driving, no - passenger, a few times in the past! It’s an amazing facility!

[j44esd]

magooagain said:

I have had the pleasure of an open pit lane track day at the Charade circuit ,it is just fantastic. What spoils it is all the nimby's in the area that have now got the decibel level so low that it's A big risk to pay up front. Down to about 85 I think.

The track was there before all the houses that have been built around the area. So frustrating!

Also a lovely area to live.

It is a lovely area - the nice weather even came out specially for my arrival!

[j44esd]

rdjohn said:

j44esd said:

I guess the location gives it away... You’re correct of course - though I normally try and separate ‘work’ and ‘hobby’ Cars IYSWIM?

How about yourself?

I think I drove there on the very last open track day in about 2010. That evening there was a meeting at the Mairie where the circuit was fined several €1000s for infringing noise limits, but it seemed pretty clear that no one had a clear understanding of peak and average noise limits.

The hard track limits did make it a bit scary.

It would now make a great venue for a Formula E race

It’s seemingly the same everywhere nowadays - pre-existing venues closed/restricted due to later developments :/

[j44esd]

AndrewCrown said:

Much useful stuff...

Thanks!

I also learned yesterday that there are only certain times I can cut my lawn too (luckily before I made a faux pas by doing it outside those times!!)

[j44esd]

Croutons said:

j44esd said:

Thanks!

I also learned yesterday that there are only certain times I can cut my lawn too (luckily before I made a faux pas by doing it outside those times!!)

Out of interest, how and where did you find that out, and were there any other quirks?

A work colleague who lives near me kindly pointed it out - and pointed me in the direction of the Mairie website where there are lots of other useful things I don't understand that will come back to trip me up...