Motoring In France - Toll Roads Nightmare

samjocky

I am going to France in August. Ferry to St Malo then driving to Quimper, Britanny. I have heard that the French Police monitor the time you enter the Toll Road to the time you time you go to pay for it and decide if you have been "speeding". If they say you have, they take you to the nearest cash point to withdraw money to pay for the "speeding" fine. Is this true???

Also, has anyone been to Quimper, any tips on what to do with the children there - aged 8 - 13??

Thank you very much

cheekymole

I have heard the same sam, but never seen it put into place. If you have a long way to go, I suggest that you stop in one of the Aire d' rest places. There are some lovely ones to eat your butties etc. Just a 15-20 minute break would do?

exil

First of all, there is no toll road between St Malo and Quimper.

Second, it may be a good idea to stick to the speed limit. The French don't necessarily do so, but they have local knowledge of speed traps, police etc. You should be able todo it in 3 hours (I did Cherbourg to Quimper in 5 hours, without needing to imitate Schumacher).

rach29

I think this is a bit of an urban myth. My Parents live in Southern France & regularly drive back & forth to the UK, I also drive South 2/3 time & year & I don't know anyone who has ever been caught like this.

If you stick to around 80mph in dry weather I wouldn't expect you to have any trouble on French motorways, take care though the limit drops in wet conditions. Happy driving

Northtim

Have done some big distances on the Toll Roads in last two years and have rarely seen a police car near a toll booth, never mind checking the time on tickets and waiting to fine you.

I think this is a potential problem but the chances of being caught are minimal, and on the lovely clear roads (ecept around paris) you will probably find you get these quite fast enough on or around the speed limit. They do have a few speed cameras so watch for these as well, mainly on town bypasses I think?

PeteMc

Watch out for the Gendarmes on bridges and parked just off the autoroute with speed cameras but you'll probably see less here than in the UK. There's not many fixed cameras about at the moment and they generally give you plenty of warning (though I suppose that depends on your speed!).

As for the gendarmes/cops near the toll booths checking tickets, never seen them either.

rach29

Do stick to the limit in towns & villages though, French have got VERY hot on this in the last year or two and you are charged on the spot for every km you are over limit ((ouch))

jaymac_2

If you use Mappy or viamichelin to plan your journey they show you the location of fixed speed cameras.

stellagypsy

Visited Quimper a few years ago - it is a medaevil city, lots of performing street artists, cafe's, etc - son was about 9 then and he was fascinated by the place. It is lovely. We staued at Douarrnez and just visited for the day, but there are lots olovely places nearby - Benodet, Concarneau (fabulous castle), Lorient, Foret de Fousenant (sp), Chateaulin, the craft village of Locronan (fabulous place) - lots of beaches - they won't be bored. There are also lots of religious/cultural pageants going on at this time - they are day-long jobs, if you go to one it will keep them absorbed for hours. We also went for a day trip to Brest and visited the marine life museum.

We have been to France many times in the car and only almost got caught speeding once, near Paris, on a B-road but OH realised just in time!!! We always use the Toll Roads when we can, they are much quicker.

Stella