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France
Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy.
Towns in France (click town name for more information)
Driving Advice in France
Driving in France - some useful information:
DRIVING LICENCE
EC licence accepted.
Minimum age for driving a car 18.
Drive on the right, overtake on the left.
Use dipped headlights at night, never drive on sidelights only.
Flashing your headlights means I am going first, not I give way!
Do not overtake or cross a solid white line in the centre of the road.
Funerals and Troops may only be passed at a very slow speed.
Do not overtake trams when passengers are disembarking or boarding.
Horns to be used for emergencies only.
Flashing amber on traffic lights means proceed only if safe to do so.
Warning Triangle is compulsory if car not fitted with hazard lights or if towing a trailer/caravan. Spare Bulb Kit recommended.
MOTORWAYS
Most motorways (auto routes) are toll roads (peage). Take a ticket on entering, and produce it later for payment according to the distance travelled.
Sometimes you enter without a ticket and pay a set amount on leaving. Payment may be made by credit card or cash.
Emergency phones (orange) are located every 2km.
Rest areas are frequent on motorways with minimum facilities including parking, toilets and picnic areas. Beware some rest areas still have the older fashion "squat" down toilets and are far from representative of the majority of personal facilities in motorway services.
Cars Only
Built-up areas, 50 kph
Major roads outside towns, 90 kph
Motorways (non toll), 110 kph
Motorways (toll), 130 kph
Motorways minimum left lane, 80 kph
Motorways in rain, 110 kph
The only thing to concern one self with regarding speed limits on the motorways is nobody told the French (or Germans) - speeds in excess of 160kph are commonplace so if you cannot deal with this stay out of the fast lane.
Lower speed limits apply to drivers who have held a licence for less than 2 years and cars pulling trailers or caravans.
SEAT BELTS
Front = Compulsory
Rear = Compulsory if fitted
Children = Under 10 years must be in the rear using an approved seat or harness.
Babies = Up to nine months can be in an approved rear facing seat in the front
FINES
Speeding offences attract an on-the-spot fine of up to 750 Euro or 3,750 Euro and 3 months imprisonment. An official receipt should be issued.
DRINKING and DRIVING
Blood / Alcohol limit is 0.05%.
Drink Driving fines range from 750 Euro to 4,500 Euro and confiscation of the vehicle.
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Police
17
Fire Service
18
Ambulance
15
From a mobile phone dial 112 for all services
Road Signs
Aire de repos - Rest stops
Allumez vos lanternes (or feux) - Turn on your lights
Attention au feu - Beware of traffic signal
Attention travaux - Beware roadwork's
Autre directions - Other directions
Barrière de dègel - Trucks not allowed
Chaussèe dèformèe - Bumpy road ahead
Cèdez le passage - Give way (Give priority to the other road)
Centre ville - Town center
Chambre de Hôtes - Bed and Breakfast
Col - Mountain pass
Ferme - Closed
Gendarmerie - Police station
Gîte Spartan - bed and breakfast; many serve food
Gravillons - Loose chipping's
Haute tension - Electric line
Interdit aux piètons - No pedestrians
Nids de poules - Potholes
Ouvert - Open
Pas - Mountain pass
Prochain èchangement gratuit - No toll at next exit
Rappel - Remember
Route barrèe - Road closed
Sens-unique - One-way
Serrez a droite - Keep to the right
Sortie - Exit
Suivre - Follow
Sur - On
Toutes directions - All directions
Vitesse adapteè sècuritè - Adapt your speed for safety
Voie unique - One lane road
Voitures - Cars
PARKING
A Blue Zone system operates in most major towns and cities. Discs are available from police, tourist offices and tobacconists. Parking meters and Pay and Display systems also operate.
Wheel clamps and the impounding of cars for illegally parked cars is usual especially in Paris.
FUEL
Unleaded Super 95/98 = Essence sans Plomb
Diesel = Gazole or Gas-oil or Gaz-oil
LPG, Gaz de pétrole liquéfié (GPL) is also available
Major credit cards accepted for fuel payment, however at many garages you will need to know your 4 digit PIN which may be used in place of a signature.
A maximum of 10 litres of spare fuel may be carried in an approved can.
We offer car hire in the following locations in France
Carcassonne Airport, Avignon Airport, Avignon, Bayonne, Beaune, Beauvais Airport, Bergerac Airport, Biarritz Airport, Bordeaux Airport, Bordeaux, Boulogne Sur Mer, Caen Airport, Calais (Frethun), Calais (Hoverport), Calais Ferry, Cannes Airport, Cannes, Cherbourg, Cognac, Dieppe, Dijon, Epernay, Fontainebleau, Geneva Airport, Grenoble Airport, Le Havre Airport, Le Mans, Lens, Lille Airport, Lille, Limoges Airport, Lyon Bron Airport, Lyon Part Dieu Tgv Gare, Lyon Perrache Gare, Lyon Satolas Airport, Macon, Marseille Airport, Monte Carlo Airport, Montelimar, Montpellier Airport, Nantes Airport, Nice Airport Terminal 1& 2, Nimes Airport, Orleans Paimpol, Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport Term 1& 2, Paris (Gare De Lyon), Paris (Gare Du Nord), Paris Invalides, Paris Orly Ouest Airport, Paris Orly Sud Airport, Perpignan Airport, Reims, Rouen Airport, Saint Nazaire Gare, Saint Raphael, Saint Tropez, St Etienne Airport, Strasbourg Airport, Toulouse Airport, Tours, Valence Airport and many more locations, both airport and city.
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