Driving in France is much less stressful than in the UK, and all our guests remark on how empty the roads seem to be - especially on Sundays, when most heavy goods traffic is not allowed to travel. However, if you haven't driven abroad before - or if you are at all nervous about the experience - then there are certain things you can do to make it easier on yourself.

First of all, a good, up-to-date map is essential. Even seasoned travellers can get hopelessly off course if they try to make do with a map they last used twenty years ago. In Brittany, as in much of France, roads are being improved all the time, new ones are being built, and also the roads are frequently re-numbered, usually to reflect their improved status. We would recommend the newly-revised orange Michelin 1:250.000 area maps of "Bretagne" number 512 (and possibly "Normandie", number 513, if you come in that way).

Even though petrol is cheaper in France, try not to arrive with a nearly empty tank as you may not find a petrol station just when you want one. The arrival of the chip-and-pin credit cards in the UK should make buying petrol easier out of hours.

You need to ensure you have the following for your car: nationality sticker, spare light bulb set, beam deflectors (so you don’t blind oncoming traffic with your lights), warning triangle and a yellow gilet/waistcoat (now a legal requirement), first aid kit and fire extinguisher.  

You need to take the following documents: full UK driving licence, vehicle registration document, insurance certificate (green card not necessary) – make sure your insurance company covers you for driving on the continent,and a European accident statement form (available from your insurance company).

We recommend you take a European vehicle recovery insurance policy with one of the leading providers such as the AA or the RAC.  If you have a major breakdown, or accident, these policies are worth their weight in gold. 

You might also be advised to take a spare set of keys....

French Roads

Motorways (autoroutes) bear the prefix 'A'.  In the rest of France, most are toll roads and are marked by blue signs, although autoroute sections through cities are normally toll free.  In Brittany, however, there are NO toll roads! The free autoroutes are marked by green signs.  Be prepared at the beginning of toll sections to take the ticket which records where you entered the toll road and then to pay when leaving the toll section at the “peage”.  It’s worth having some small denominations of Euros available for this - usually credit cards are acceptable although sometimes there can be problems in getting them authorised. When driving on autoroutes you need to be aware that lane discipline is much more strictly followed in France.  If you don’t pull into the inside (right) lane when there is space you will find angry French drivers very close on your tail with their left indicator flashing – their way of saying “get out of the way, you stupid British person!”

Main roads in France, designated Route Nationale or “N” roads, can be acceptable for long journeys as an alternative to toll roads.  Of course you can’t travel as fast, but they are often straight and un-crowded and are a nice alternative to monotonous toll roads.

Minor roads are classed as 'D' roads. They can be excellent routes when travelling in a locality, especially in busy areas. Sometimes the French road numbers can be confusing, especially where you see two or even three road numbers on the same sign.  Less common, but more confusing is where roads join and numbers combine temporarily; for example you may see road number A15-N14-D55.  This would mean that these roads all follow the same route at this point, so if you’re following the N14, you’re still on the right road.

A Few Rules of the Road

• All passengers must wear seat-belts.  Children under the age of 10 are not allowed in front seats.

• Headlights must of course be used at night, but also in rain, fog, mist or poor visibility during the day.

• You must stop at Zebra crossings – this is now enforced by law.  But be careful as a pedestrian, as it is not yet widely obeyed!

Speed limits are usually:

• 50km/h in towns (31mph)
• 90km/h on main roads (56 mph), 80km/h on the Paris peripherique (51 mph)
• 110 km/h on dual carriage ways (68 mph)
• 130 km/h on motorways (81mph)

Speed limits are reduced in poor weather eg. 110 km/h on autoroutes.

If you are stopped for speeding you can be fined on the spot.  Fines can be expensive and you must pay in cash.