As is customary for this time of year I was wondering if any BRs had any new advice on driving through France this year. We are heading down to Beziers via Beaune from Calais via A6,A7 & A9. Anybody got any new tips from their recent journeys (or good repeat ones from last year - when similiar questions were asked).
In particular I was wondering if there has been an increase in radar traps - or using toll times to calculate speeds etc. or Le plod picking on English motorists - maybe they won't be too happy with the Greeks this year??
Much obliged
Paul45
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They seem to be having yet another crackdown at the moment, particularly on UK cars who may be carrying radar detectors, which as you know are illegal.
Keep your speed below 150kph on the Autoroutes and down nr/in towns and you should be OK. Also carry at least ?90 for any fines you might get, it will save you the hassle of a trip to the cashpoint when they catch you.
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Done the journey 3x in the last month, twice down once back. Total journey times down of 11h 30m and 10h 30m(2 drivers) and back 10h 45m (on my own), approx 655 miles to Pezenas - Calais via the A75. Much preferable to using the other route (less traffic and better scenery) and also tolls cheaper as much of the motorway is EEC funded. If you can use this route, reply and I will give further details of interest.
pmh (was peter)
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Calais-Rouen very light traffic, best to go thro Rouen area outside rush hour peaks.
Take signing for Autoroute to Paris. Watch rh filter as you change roads just after crossing Seine. Very very tight but safer than it was until last year.
Turn rt onto A154 Then N154 heading Evreux, Dreux, Chartres, Orleans.
One nasty section of old style N route around Dreux.
I have frequently gone thro the centre of Chartres, shorter and not busy off peak. Navigate by the twin towers! Good range of mostly budget hotels and restaurants at last roundabout in South of Chartres
Gradually being upgraded to dual most of the way, but watch radar traps particularly south of Chartres. One favorite is close to a school 10 mins S of Chartres.
Join mototway just N of Orleans, head for Clermont Ferand, Millau,Montpellier. Boring as far as Clermont, some radar traps seen in the back of estates hidden in bushes! But no pursuit riders, so I assume that photograhy is used. British regn may protect unless real time and they pick you up at Autoroute exit.
Millau not yet a problem at this time of year but can be horrific later in summer. Roll on December when new spectacular bridge is open. However it will only save about 20 minutes when traffic is light.
Heavy roadworks around Lodeve. Watch tunnel with 70k speed limit and radar camera on exit, it triggers at about 41mph!!
Then very easy autoroute standard to just beyond Pezenas.
PS exactly where are you going to?
Good journey.
pmh (was peter)
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Thanks Peter. I'm doing that trip next weekend. That was extremely comprehensive!
Tim{P}
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Peter
Replying to both messages - we are travelling from Calais to a place called Ecutigny (near Beaune) - great B&B if you want the details, let me know, viamichelin seems to take me too close to Paris - so I was going to head towards Troyes then pick up the N71. Next stage of the journey is to a place called Vieussan (30 miles NW of Beziers), viamichelin saying a6,a7 then a9, which seems OK. On the way home going via Sancy-Les-Meaux (10 miles east of Disneyland) for an overnighter. Then back to Calais.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Paul
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You are a sitting duck on the Autoroute, and weekends are a popular time for the Gendarmes to catch out speeders. A common practice is to stop vehicles as they pass through the peage booths for a check on your documents etc, or the first service area after you've crossed a border. I don't subscribe to the radar detector mentality myself, but be aware that not only are they illegal in most of europe if you get caught with one in France it will most likely be rendered unuseable on the spot. In addition to all the other items you should carry when motoring abroad, in many countries you are now obliged to carry a high visibility vest to wear in the event you breakdown on the motorway. I find it helps to adopt a 'philosophical' approach to the way some of the French like to drive on the autoroute...
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