Driving in France – valuable driving tips
Cruising through the charming countryside in France you may encounter certain roads with three lanes – the middle is for overtaking, so be especially vigilant around bends. Cheap hire car journeys require petrol so make sure to fill up with the correct kind - unleaded petrol is called ‘sans plomb’ whereas diesel is known as ‘gazole’. Unmanned petrol stations in France are notorious for not accepting numerous UK credit cards (even if they have a chip) so check with your bank before you leave in the hire car or ensure you have some cash at hand. Motorways are all generally toll roads and can be pricey, predominantly when driving. However, France can also be experienced via the smaller country roads (Routes Nationales) which are a great deal more charming and free of charge with car hire in France.
Discover more than Champagne? S’il vous plait!
Beginning in the north of France, a first impressive region to visit would be Bretagne (Brittany), proud of both its rugged natural beauty and individual charm from the down to earth locals. After the invigorating Atlantic breeze off the coast of France, hit the road and snake south, you will come across Bordeaux and Toulouse with their aroma of lavender and rosemary, accompanied by a dose of gentle soothing sunshine. Head south-west with the hire car in France to Aix-en-Provence and witness this timeless quaint Roman town peering onto the peaceful River Arc, both seamlessly trapped in time, preserving the rustic feel of the settlement. France is shoulder to shoulder with the world’s second smallest country, Monaco, so pop over and live it up with the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo and its extravagantly endowed harbour. Finally, move north from the coast in France and wind your way through The Alps, which are simply awe-inspiring, particularly with clear skies when it is possible to see all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.
Rules of the road in France
Road signs in France differ slightly from those at home, so pay attention when on the road. For example, the sign for straight ahead is a right-pointing arrow on the left of the road or a left-pointing arrow on the right side of the road, which confuses several car hire drivers in France. In France, a road sign with a black ‘P’ surrounded by a red circle means ‘strictly no parking’ and the traffic wardens as well as police enforce this rule a great deal, particularly in the cities. Furthermore, upon approaching a ‘stop’ sign in France with cheap car hire, it is mandatory to stop, regardless of whether the way is free or not, so don’t get caught out! And be cautious when travelling because France has different speed limits for when it is dry and wet, so be very observant on the road!
Your CarDelMar Team wishes you a very pleasant journey with cheap car hire in France!
