France, like nearly all countries in Europe which dont have a vignette system, has tolls on its major roads. The restrictions for motorhomes are different depending on the unladen weight which is based on a weight above or below 3050kg. In the event of an accident, all parties complete and sign the form at the scene and then send a copy to your insurer for assessment. Timezone GMT+1 (or one hour ahead in BST) France is always one hour ahead of the UK, no matter what. P: 061379903E: info@anchorpointmotorhomes.comWe'd love to hear from you! The Boulevard Peripherique that surrounds Paris has a speed limit of 70 kph, while there are 30pmh default limits in the capital as well as Nantes, Lille, and Grenoble. May 2018 (13) If you want a relaxing holiday whilst staying in your own van and enjoying the sunshine, this might be the best option for you. December 2011 (6) Motorhome wild camping offers a lot of freedom- you can turn up and leave as you like, although we only ever advise using a wild camping spot for one night; otherwise, the locals might think youre moving in! September 2013 (9) You may still get decent temperatures into November on the French Riviera (thats the coast on the Med, not the Atlantic coast.) France drives on the right, like much of Europe, The road system is set up for you driving on the right. Informative post.France is fab. July 2012 (11) We have lived in the south of France for fifteen years. A speed limiter is a device that can be fitted into your vehicle to limit the speed you are driving at. January 2022 (10) This means that no passenger should use the toilet, cook or move from their seat during any journey. Really informative and helpful article. Videos Thank you very much. The town name starts the limit; a red diagonal bar through the town name is the derestriction sign. October 2011 (10) October 2016 (10) May 2021 (18) Including from the clubs! Dont forget, it is YOUR responsibility to make sure the vehicle has the required safety equipment. April 2015 (8) While the sight of snow may look pretty, you must clean as much as you can from your vehicle before beginning your journey. February 2016 (16) Grab our FREE wild camping checklist and make it easy for yourself. February 2011 (6) We enjoy taking the ferry because it cuts down on driving time- were travelling whilst were sleeping. I got camera flashed (thought I had better qualify that) in France and I was doing at least 10km under the speed limit. November 2017 (16) The speed limit for campervans and motorhomes on French motorways is 130 km/h (80 mph). We accept all major credit cards and debit cards. You cannot pre-book Aires- they operate on a first-come basis. Find it here). No. Can You Overtake On A Motorway When Driving A Motorhome? Do I need an international driving permit to drive in France? Motorhome Reviews February 2015 (9) I think it depends on the vehicle- and you know that better than us. France is pretty dog-friendly and they are widely accepted on public transport. Many thanks. Sometimes the queues can be HOURS long- and that was before BREXIT. September 2019 (14) Weve spent a lot of time motorhoming in southern France. February 2010 (4) Nowadays, we can use our mobile phones for just about anything. Signs are on that side, roundabouts have helpful arrows and slip roads are pointed the right way. April 2021 (14) The speed limit on these roads is 90 km/h (55 mph). France is often the gateway to Europe for anyone in the UK with a Motorhome. June 2020 (14) September 2008 (5) over/under 3.50 tonnes, but camper vans may have a white van ruling applied on the motorways.). East Grinstead If buying from a petrol station, you may need to wait for an attendant to turn the system on for you. French Speed Limit.. U Turn. There is an element of confusion amongst the French authorities on whether 80 and 90 "speed" stickers should be displayed on the rear of the vehicle, including motorhomes, towing at the lower limits. Even if you have seven other passengers to take care of the vehicle should anything happen, turning off your engine is the right thing to do. Dcret n2008-754 du 30 juillet 2008 - art. December 2016 (7) For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. But I urge you to take some time to explore. Gross Vehicle Weight: 1895kg August 2017 (9) February 2018 (17) find some of the best motorhome campsites in France here. I will have lots of questions that Im sure I will find answers to here but one answer I havent found yet is regarding hills/mountains. If you like chateaux and history, this is for you! The "Chunne"l is fast, effective and probably the cheapest way to get a motorhome or caravan to France, even in school holidays. They will either be 90kph (56mph) or 110kph (68mph) on non autoroute (motorway) dual carriageways and 130kph (80mph) on autoroutes. They must only be used if your visibility is below 100 metres. April 2009 (3) The downside of taking the ferry, especially with a motorhome or campervan, is that its MUCH more expensive and there are less frequent crossings. In any vehicle. I am assuming the 70kph reference is correct though I have never seen an HGV taking any notice of the lower speed unless there is a specific sign mentioning over 3.5 ton vehicles. Of course, if you dont own or have access to your own motorhome, camper, car or caravan, youll need to rent a vehicle. (Having gas bottles for cooking/ heating is fine.). If youd like to get FREE motorhome and road trip checklists, you can find them here. September 2017 (13) We never link to products unless we can honestly recommend them, and we always try to find the cheapest and best source for the camping gear were featuring. December 2010 (6) October 2006 (1). July 2010 (6) Hi there, Im Kat. (There are plenty of incredible places to see around the Paris area without going into the city itself and we would always suggest getting the train in, instead of driving!). February 2009 (2) French speed limits French speed limits. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. French Speed limits 5 years ago Save We have been driving in France for years and there as been no problems on French Rural roads. This says it was posted on 17/8/2010 but seems to include the July 2018 update. June 2019 (11) March 2017 (10) I can confirm that our information is correct, I have confirmed it with the legal department of the Automobile Club de France (ACF) and a motorcycle policeman that I met in France earlier this year. November 2008 (1) Entrapment is allowed in France and police will regularly park an old car at the side of the road with a hidden camera in it, and then theyll pull you over further down and give you a speeding ticket. Section 11 Driving in Paris is a law unto itself! Speed Limits The standard speed limit on French Autoroutes is 130km/h. BLIND SPOT Warning STICKERS for vehicle over 3.5 tonnes in France, Road trip accessories you MIGHT need when campervanning in France. What is the Gross Train Weight? January 2010 (3) Here are some excellent France motorhome guides to help you plan your travels and overnight stopover. This is an important change for Irish drivers to be aware of in France. October 2014 (11) 6 minutes ago, FrankBullet said: French speed cameras are well sign-posted, I just ensure I'm doing 90km/h as I pass them but only travel at an indicated 100km/h . Thread starter Pauljenny; Start date May 19, 2019; Pauljenny. Ive written to MMM magazine and followed their advice but to no avail. At all times. Planning to go touring in France with a motorhome or campervan? January 2015 (10) As stated be someone earlier driving licenses are indeed important. Do watch the wet road rule. Planning on taking our first trip abroad in our motorhome and finding lots of very useful info here. Sure its been done to death but I cant find all the info. If youre new to our website (welcome! If you dont have refillable gas bottles in your motorhome, you will need a different attachment in order to be able to connect to a French gas bottle. October 2009 (4) Website Design by. Motorways: 70mph (if fitted with a speed limiter). Their clocks go forward and back whenever ours does. These are shown in the section relating to each individual country. April 2010 (4) February 2017 (15) Facebook page opens in new window Linkedin page opens in new window Also, were often driving from South-West England to the west coast of France- so ferry cuts off a lot of that journey. Its 50kmh in built up areas, 80kmh on single carriageway /trunk roads, 90 kmh on dual carriageways and 90kmh on motorways. You should have a European Claim Form provided by your insurer before you leave. In towns 50kph (31mph). Take a list of what is legally required with you and check it off one by one as you are given the handover. Apparently a new report to the French government due out in November will recommend that max speed on all N & D roads with single carriageway should be reduced to 80kph, that is around 50 mph. May 2017 (9) Motorhome Rallies & Meets . We work hard to make this website the best it can be. Exchange your details with the other involved parties. July 2017 (11) May 2012 (11) The two main providers are Brittany Ferries and DFDS Seaways. France has some incredible destinations for camper holidays- see below for great itinerary ideas. But the French kmh limits for a >3.5t CAMPING-CAR are 110/100/80. We hope this comes in useful and saves you from hefty, on the spot fines from the French authorities. What is the Gross Vehicle Weight? Speed limits on single carriageway roads without a separating guard rail were reduced from 90km/h to 80km/h (50 mph) across France in 2018. Expect some campsites to keep your passport for the duration of your stay with them. For caravans (and motorhomes) over 3.5 tonnes the limits are a little different. You can often stay in an aire for 2 or 3 days. And the beauty of exploring with a home on wheels is that you can drive to wherever the weather is best for you! Motorhomes with a trailer attached are prohibited from using the outside lane indefinitely. If you did, wed love it if you followed us on Youtube. Dont forget to grab your FREE Motorhoming in France checklist to help you remember everything. The national speed limit is depicted by a white circular sign with a black stripe diagonally across it from right to left. Am I the only person to read this thread and feel that there are lots of unmarried, married guidance councillors out there who tap out answers and responses while not actually having a clue as to if the answer that they have given is actually correct? If youd like to share our experiences of motorhoming in France, watch this video to see our experiences with French tolls, motorhome campsites and driving in France! Posted September 11, 2018. June 2009 (2) Happy Travelling Michaela-moho PS never taken a breathalyser either ? In your vehicles handbook or ask your retailer or manufacturer. March 2022 (14) There are some gorgeous motorhome campsites in France, right by beaches and lakes, with swimming pools, evening entertainment and kids clubs. There's much more to read, just nip back to the top and use the menu or search box. December 2020 (8) This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Others take a month to explore one corner. We're open 8am - 8pm weekdays, 9am - 4pm weekends & most bank holidays. This is normally when we want to ride our motorbikes and dont want to leave the van unattended all day in an aire or wild camping spot. June 2008 (7) August 2021 (13) November 2014 (13) May 2016 (12) Some are paid and will have a sign somewhere telling you what to do to pay; some are free. Campfire Magazine takes part in some affiliate advertising programmes, including Amazon. The town name starts the limit; a horizontal bar through the town name is the derestriction sign. If you enjoy visiting vineyards, chateaux or local markets, this might be a good scheme for you. Urban speed limit of 50 km/h is unaffected by weather. Whats The Difference Between A Hill And A Mountain? 5 tonne; unless otherwise signposted and on dry roads the speed limit in kilometres per hour is: - - On autoroutes (motorway) 110kph (68mph); - On dual carriageways 100kph (62mph); - Single carriageway 80kph (50mph); - In towns 50kph (31mph). To keep up-to-date with the speed limits for a motorhome, visit the government website. October 2022 (11) When raining, the limits are respectively lowered to 80, 100, and 110 km/h. There are apps to see real time traffic and maps that may be more up to date than your, Sign up our mailing list to claim your FREE Ultimate Camping Checklist PDF. July 2008 (4) Is a 3500kg plated motorhome under or over when it comes to speed limits. Pretty new to motorhome life but living it since November 2019 and loving it. Guides Lets take a look at everything you need to know about motorhomes and their speed limits as well as the driving standards that should be expected when on the road. Polls I hope this helps Ive added this information to the article in case anyone else had a similar query. However, many bigger supermarkets in France have some washing machines outside and its very common to pull up, put on a load of laundry and then do your shopping. English usually spoken in campsites and in tourist areas, but not often elsewhere. Subscribers. Since the change last June Id be grateful if someone can confirm the correct speed limits on the various classes of road. February 2008 (1) Registered office Caravan Guard Limited, New Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2JZ United Kingdom. Avoid driving in Paris. March 2008 (2) Similarly, motorhomes that have a weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes may only overtake if it is fitted with a speed limiter. July 2021 (10) December 2015 (11) December 2018 (11) t is important to note that motorhomes are designed to seat a certain number of passengers. Once the law and its implementing decree are published, each department will be able to decide which parts of these roads, on their territory, will be raised or not to 90. We ALWAYS fill up in the UK before we go just in case. Towing vehicle review, Select month Busy, residential areas usually have a speed limit of 30 miles per hour (MPH). However, using a mobile when driving is strictly against UK laws and taking your eyes off the road for just 2 seconds can end horribly. The Loire Valley. April 2013 (8) June 2012 (6) The speed limit on a motorway is 70mph unless you have a trailer that is longer than 12 metres in length, In this case, motorhomes should stick to 60mph. Many shops and businesses also shut for a long lunch (between 12-2pm) and some will not open on Wednesday afternoons. Repeat after me- you do NOT need a breathalyser to drive in France. heres what you need to know about CritAir. You can calculate the toll cost of your intended routehere. http://www.caravanclub.co.uk, Thanks John. The other big downside is how far you have to drive to get there if its out of your way- thats the main reason we dont use it as often as the ferry, although if were going straight through France to go motorhoming in Germany, the Netherlands or anywhere further east, it makes sense. Section II) A solo motorhome which has a gross vehicle weight over 3. Dont park anywhere with a sign saying no overnight parking. All too often we rush through as quickly as possible, keen to drive to other locations, like Spain or Italy. Planning a trip to France with your motorhome or camper? - or 110 km/hr in rain. We were reluctant to take the ferry with our dog, as we didnt want to leave him in the vehicle, but there are now pet-friendly cabins available on the Portsmouth-Caen route with Brittany Ferries which we use all the time. The best time to visit France with a motorhome, campervan, caravan or any other vehicle is whenever you have time to explore! Caravanning Top Tips Also, I believe it still exists in some places in France- like the Arc de Triomphe. I have never tipped in a restaurant in France and never had a waiter hover expecting one. Section I) For vehicles towing a caravan (or trailer) where the vehicle has a gross train mass of less than 3.5 tonne and for a solo motorhome which has a gross vehicle weight under 3.5 tonne; unless otherwise signposted and on dry roads the speed limit in kilometres per hour (kph) is: , Section II) A solo motorhome which has a gross vehicle weight over 3.5 tonne; unless otherwise signposted and on dry roads the speed limit in kilometres per hour is: . August 2012 (11) Bigger supermarkets may be open, but will close at lunchtime. Two-axle truck pulling 2-axle trailer, any weight: 80. (If you do need an IDP, heres anin-depth guide on how to get an International Driving Permitand which one(s) you needfrom a UK post office. Motorhome Community. Infographic May 20, 2019 #6 April 2017 (12) Hi Both, Many newer motorhomes (manufactured after 2006) are often compatible with ISOfix used for babies and young children. How Long Does It Take Wood To Dry After Rain? Many posts ranking highly in Google still list a breathalyser in their essential Europe driving accessories list, but I promise you you dont need one. We are Ireland'sMotorhome Dealers forBurstner,Weinsberg and Westfalia motorhomes & campervans - pop into our friendly showroom today! The Chunnel is fast, effective and probably the cheapest way to get a motorhome or caravan to France, even in school holidays. Im planning on doing an road trip through France , then Spain this summer and followed then a ski season in France ( actually was looking at doing it last year but the virus stopped that ) . Ive read many people end up paying a fortune for one through dodgy websites when they areess than 5 the AA have a link to the official website. France no longer has the stupid prioritie a droite rule, (which meant you had to stop ON the roundabout for anyone coming onto it!) The law concerns 48 French dpartements (see the full list here) in the south and east of France, and will apply equally to foreign cars and drivers. Austria Belgium Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Germany France Hungary Ireland Italy Luxembourg Norway Portugal Slovenia July 2014 (10) Caravan / Motorhome / Static (Make and model): Swift Eccles 480 plated to . Get a full list of the essential kit and paperwork needed for motorhome touring in France and Europe. If they are still in their two year probation period special conditions apply; in some EU countries the probation period is extended to three years. This doesnt always work, (especially in August or between October-March when many campsites shut) but there always seems to be something around which works out. Heres everything you need to know about motorhome blind spot warning stickers and if you need them. July 2022 (15) Be sure to get: Name and address of all the people involved in the accident, Vehicle registration numbers of all parties, Take photos of damage using a camera, GoPro or phone. January 2018 (9) However, the same rules apply to every driver out there. Gross Train Mass: 4990kg (i.e. Many people worry whether they should fill up in UK or France. June 2021 (13) Therefore, if a motorhome seats two passengers, you cannot drive the vehicle with more than two passengers as there would not be enough seatbelts. July 2011 (10) If youd like to avoid campsites and sostas, but dont want to risk staying off-grid, there is another option which offer places to stay with a motorhome or campervan- France Passion. If your motorhome weighs less than 35 tonnes, then you can drive at 60mph. If you need any kit or essentials for motorhoming in Europe, heres what we recommend and where to find it. These programmes let websites such as this earn money by linking to reputable companies. We like aires, as we feel happier leaving our motorhome if we want to go off an explore, and dont want to deal with the noise or expense of a European campsite. Dont forget, if you are driving through France to get to another country, you need all the kit required by France as well as the kit for that country. November 2013 (7) Motorhome speed limits on motorways which are signed at 110kph are 100kph for motorhomes and on Peage motorways (French Toll Motorways) where there is a 130kph limit signed, this allows motorhomes to do 110kph. Full Member. We have a old J reg talbot and Im a little concern about travelling anywhere near mountains. Make sure you have proof that you can take the vehicle across a border into another country if thats what youre planning to do. Calls may be recorded. Click here to see our Privacy and Disclosure Policy. The law comes into effect from November 1 st, through March, and there are fines of 135 for non-compliance. I may of missed it but had you got any recommendations for travelling in Spain. The signs now are. That was 3 weeks ago. The French system is a good one, One can find all the information in the car handbook and it assumes the car & caravan are fully laden.Any caravan is capable of de-stabilising the towing vehicle whether the car is large or small or the caravan is heavy or light. Low emission zones. December 2021 (13) March 2020 (16) Sticking to the speed limit is essential when out on the road as they prevent accidents from happening and nobody wants to receive a fine in the post! We generally stay only one night in a place (unless were planning to ride the motorbikes, in which case we find somewhere for a few nights.). The Caravan Club Thanks for the replies, I did think we were limited to 80kph on motorways in Spain ? Side facing seats such as dining areas cannot be used for travelling on as they will not have a seatbelt. Is it current today? Larger motorhomes like this will incur higher charges on the toll roads Autoroutes Theres everything you could want from a road trip, including fantastic campsites by the beach, vineyards and local markets full of wine, cheese and other goodies, incredible history and plenty of places to explore. May 2015 (10) If you need to bake suddenly, then you may end up with a windscreen covered in snow. Dont forget many farmers and landowners carry guns in France- you dont want to get on the wrong side of that! If driving through towns and villages, only use the horn in an emergency. If you are towing anything behind your motorhome the following limits will apply: Motorway: 90kmph May 2010 (5) In the handbook or ask your retailer or manufacturer. You need to be very respectful when wild camping- its not a right, its a privilege, so take away all of your waste, dont play loud music and dont park too close to someones house. This information is provided to keep you informed to the best of our knowledge at this given point in time and may be subject to change. Because we rarely plan a route through France, and therefore we never know where were going to be, we book campsites at the last minute- or just turn up. 2019 Anchor Point Motorhomes. Aires have no set arrival or departure times, so theres a lot more freedom, but they often have a 24h or 48h max duration- and that is checked, so dont overstay your welcome. If youre taking your motorhome from the UK to France, there are a couple of options on how to get over there- ferry or Eurotunnel. France Passion- approved overnight motorhome parking scheme in France, Motorhome and campervan service points in France, Driving tips for France motorhome travels, Driving in France- what to do in the event of a road traffic accident, More useful things to know when motorhoming in France, Doing Laundry in France while motorhome touring, France Road Trip & Motorhome Travel Planner, FREE France motorhome travel checklist HERE, places you can visit on your France road trip, best and biggest Christmas markets in Europe, incredible places to see around the Paris area, heres what we recommend and where to find it, 11 Unmissable France road trip itineraries and ideas. Batteries in an electric vehicle - unless its a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair . August 2013 (8) Published in Caravan Guard News, Caravanning Top Tips on Ford Focus Style 5 door 1.8 Duratec Answer 21 of 42: We have been driving in France for years and there as been no problems on French Rural roads. *We work hard to make this the best motorhome blog and road trip website possible, full of helpful content for you. We also show you around the Menton Lemon Festival and we cross the Millau viaduct in our motorhome. You might find these posts helpful: See all our Europe motorhoming posts here, NEED GEAR? There are some important questions you need to consider when renting a motorhome including making sure you can get to the vehicle and exactly what gear will be on the vehicle when you collect it. under 3.5 tonne see Section I), Volvo X590 D5 manual Sorry have I misinterpreted your speed restrictions. If youre planning to go motorhome skiing in France, then December- March are your best times, but be aware that a new French law was passed in November 2021 about winter tyres/ snow chains. UK driving licences are perfectly acceptable to use and you probably wont need an IDP (find out the changes made to, 90 km/h (50 mph) on minor roads (out of town), In rain or snow conditions, the limit is lowered to 110 k/h on motorways and 90 k/h on trunk roads- this WILL NOT be signposted- youre expected to know it. French roads have a variable maximum speed limit that depends on weather conditions. April 2016 (13) December 2012 (6) October 2017 (7) Thanks, can you tell me which is correct my motorhome 5 tons you say I can drive on the French motorways at 110kph yet when I was stopped by the French police on the 6/8/2014 they said its only 90kph and 80kph on other roads. For more details, read our step-by-step guide on dealing with a road traffic accident in Europe. Signs indicate the means of payment accepted on each lane. ), visit the Start Here page to find out how we can help you! Its that simple! April 2020 (17) This helps to pay for the upkeep of this site. Seems that M. Hollande has found the answer to the national debt problem. Some have electric hookup and waste disposal, others are literally an approved motorhome parking place for the evening. However, be mindful that driving a motorhome puts you into one of the higher classes, meaning that tolls can be upwards of 50 depending on where you are driving. Safe travels. Weve been touring Europe in our motorhome for several years. Charity All rights reserved, Gift ideas for motorhome & campervanners, Our favourite motorhome & road trip gear, (Already purchased a guide or course? Trailer Tent & Camper Reviews These are: TOP TIP: Buy these essentials for driving in France BEFORE you get to the border- prices at Eurotunnel or on the ferry can be two or three times as much. Some people pop over on the Eurotunnel for a weekend break. And if you dont pay . what happens then? Personally, I recommend NOT driving into any cities and staying outside the zone, but heres what you need to know about CritAir. Some campsites have great facilities, like swimming pools or a beach on a lake, watersports, play area, restaurants, fresh bread delivery, shop etc. If you get extraordinary service for something then that is up to you but dont feel compelled to do it. Forums; MotorhomeFacts.com News and Site Help . November 2018 (13) Gross Vehicle Weight: 2740kg August 2014 (9) If you enjoy motorhome life in the UK or elsewhere, youre going to LOVE motorhome touring in France.
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