France is laced with a well connected network of high-speed highways called Autoroutes, which are mo

For some, the idea of hitting the highways in a foreign country can be rather apartment rentals paris unsettling. However, if you choose to rent a car in France , a car can be a great way to see the beautiful French countryside. While I am always an advocate of traveling by train in France (besides the fact that I don t drive, the TGV is by far the fastest way to get around the country), a car allows you more freedom and the ability to meander through the French countryside, stopping at villages and small towns that you may miss otherwise. Especially in the less populated areas of the country, a car also allows a traveler to set his or her own agenda, say, if you wanted to spend an extra day staring apartment rentals paris at sunflowers in Provence.
France is laced with a well connected network of high-speed highways called Autoroutes, which are mostly toll roads ( routes à péage ). Unlike major highway systems in other countries, France’s Autoroutes do not have a systematic numbering system, but are named based on region. For example, Autoroutes A-1 through A-16 radiate from Paris. While these Autoroutes make for easy travel around the country, you are usually better off taking a train when traveling only between major cities. Traffic in and around the large cities (like Marseille, Paris and Lyon) can be heavy, chaotic and cause long delays.
In addition, apartment rentals paris while the Autoroute system is a network of more than 7000 km/4200 miles of roads, because most highways work on the hub system (with Paris at the center of the hub) traveling from, say, Southeastern France to Southwestern France can be tricky.
Much like the interstate system in the United States, France’s Autoroutes also have rest stops along the way called Aires . Aires are located roughly every 20 km and have everything from gas stations to restaurants, picnic grounds and restrooms.
Don’t be surprised if you find Turkish toilets (i.e., a hole in the ground) at some of these Aires . While they are clean, those who are uncomfortable with this type of toilet should use the handicapped apartment rentals paris restrooms, which always have regular toilets.
Gas is much more expensive in Europe than in the United States. However, buying gas in France apartment rentals paris is pretty much exactly apartment rentals paris like it is in the U.S., except you pay by the liter in in euros rather than by the gallon and with dollars (obviously).
While it easy to find gas stations all along the Autoroutes in France, apartment rentals paris the cheapest place to buy gas is usually at supermarkets off the highway and in town. If you plan your French road trip well, you can get gas during a lunch break in town or before you head out in the morning.
At the pump you can buy unleaded ( sans plomb ) in either 95 or 98 octane, super unleaded (super) or diesel (gazole). Some stations will also sell what is called fuel in French, normally at a separate pump. Do not buy it; it is diesel that is only sold to farmers. You can be fined, if it is found in your tank. This diesel is colored red, unlike regular diesel.
If possible, rent a car that runs on diesel, as it is cheaper than unleaded. Also the mileage is better. While those coming from the U.S. may think that diesel is only for huge trucks, this is not the case in France. Because diesel is cheaper in France, there are many companies (like Peugeot) that make mid-sized sedans in diesel models. This is probably the way to go.
Make sure to ask your car rental agent what kind of gas the car takes, and even have him or her write it down for you. The last thing you want to do is be stranded because you put the wrong gas in the car (although there are adapters on cars that prevent you from putting in the wrong juice!).
As stated above, most of France’s Autoroutes are toll roads. If a road charges a toll you will see it marked “à péage.” These tolls areusually a flat rate paid based on distance; you take a ticket at the station where you enter the Autoroute. When you exit, you give the ticket to the attendant at the exit station, and your toll will be determined. You can pay with either cash or credit apartment rentals paris card. Don t lose your ticket, or you will pay the maximum toll.
If you are vacationing in France (as opposed to living there) and you re over 18, your domestic driver’s license suffices. However, if you are one of those people that likes to err on the side of caution in these situations you can obtain an International Drivers Permit, which is a means by which police in a foreign country can know — in terms of translations in nearly a dozen different languages — that your domestic apartment rentals paris driver s license is indeed apartment rentals paris recognized as being valid by the proper authorities in your country.
apartment rentals paris While it is not really necessary to obtain a IDP before apartment rentals paris renting a car in France, you can get an IDP at the local office of your auto club (AAA, CAA, etc.). They cost about $10; just make sure you bring with you your driver’s license, cash and two passport-sized photos for the card.
The rules for driving in France will not vary largely from many other places in the world, but it is important to brush up on a few things that may be different when driving in France. Rule 1, for the Brits: The French apartment rentals paris drive on the right side of the road.
Thanks to the crazy world of Twitter (you can follow me @WhyGoFrance ), I had a few suggestions and tips come in about things to keep in mind when driving in France. Brittany gite owner, @la_vache said: don t forget that the French apartment rentals paris don t use indicators, obey traffic lights or give priority to other cars already on a roundabout. And @thisfrenchlife pointed out this helpful guide from the French government, which includes speed limits download it now .
July and August are the times during the year when you could find yourself in a huge bouchon just from the sheer volume of the traffic. (I ll add this is usually the case on the smaller regional roads, although the Autoroutes can be congested as well.)
While taking the train in France is almost always going to be faster than driving (thanks to the high speed TGV’s that travel at speeds of more than 200 mph), here is the rundown on estimated driving times in France.
apartment rentals paris I can tell a couple of things to avoid if you rent a car in France. Be really careful if you fly all night and don t sleep on the plane, only to arrive in Paris early in the morning and then try to drive into the heart of the city in the rush hour traffic. It s an accident waiting to happen. Also don t drive down steep, narrow roads in old towns if you are not sure where they go. You might have to drive back up that same road in reverse when find that the exit is to small for your car.
Hey pops, nice added tips. BUT remember that narrow street we went down and got stuck in was in ITALY not in France (though it could have happened in France just as easily). Also, as a general tip, always avoid driving in Paris. It s not a bad idea to take the train out to Versailles or another apartment rentals paris city outside of Paris and rent your car there so you avoid having to drive through the city.
If anyone has tips about driving in southwestern France, in the area of Carcassone-Montpellier, I d love to hear them. The tolls are sooo expensive. Is taking back roads feasible-or does it just take too long to get anywhere?