worried about driving in france

DMC75_2

Hi,

Taking the family to serigan plage in south france and have ferries booked from dover to calais .

I am worried about the drive and am looking at changing the ferries to somewhere like caen to make the drive easier ? have looked at bilbao as well to make it easier.

can anyone help or help me with some driving tips even ?

DCFC79

I drve in france for first time 4 years ago and i was actually scared stiff but it was quite easy, we went to caen and drove off ferry then it was easy to get onto the motorway and away you go, i found it not as hard as i thought it would be,

DMC75_2

as a first timer would you reccomend caen over calais?

lucylucky

What in particular worries you?

Never been to Calais but no problems arriving or leaving from Caen

DMC75_2

It being really busy around paris . And also going in wrong lanes and also the different laws (giving way to right)

mikey72

You'll be fine, it's just a motorway, you won't even know it's paris.
The french are ok, they're used to avoiding tourists.

PeteMc

DMC75 wrote: »

It being really busy around paris . And also going in wrong lanes and also the different laws (giving way to right)

Yes it is really busy around Paris but the rules there are just like any big city i.e. there are none.

The roads need some foresight (watch and understand the signs) but lane swopping is the norm and you don't get the "I won't let you in" British mentality too often.

Don't worry about priorite a droite, you are unlikely to see it on many roundabouts or roads and if you do there is usually plenty of warning. If you are on the Peripherique though you should let oncoming traffic on (but you'd do that here wouldn't you?).

If you do drive from Calais take the A16 not the A1 towards Paris (less trucks, less cars, more scenic, more expensive).

Fixed speed traps are always signed in advance, if it says in 2km there will be one. Gendarmes hide behind bridges, bushes etc. with speed guns but they aren't that common.

lucylucky

DMC75 wrote: »

It being really busy around paris . And also going in wrong lanes and also the different laws (giving way to right)

Don't go anyway near Paris then if that is an issue, very easy to find an alternative route.

Read up on driving abroad, take your time and don't be hassled if people sound their horn at you.

DMC75_2

Am thinking of caen over calais as we are lot closer to ports than dover so could go on over night ferry and saves paying for accomadation in dover .
Also seems a nicer drive and quiter port ?
I have only been passed 3.5 yrs so not a really experienced driver but have heard the french roads are quieter

would like peoples thoughts though

josiebabie

I drive in France every year, we drive to the alps, just don't forget your change for the paeges, do not speed as they time you between the toll booths. The peripherique around Paris is easy enough, there is always a lot of horn beeping going on, just join in! We go from portsmouth to la harve on the over night sleeper ferry with a cabin, leave at 11pm, dock at 8am fresh and ready for the drive!

josiebabie

The peages are always quieter as the locals dont want to pay the tolls