Travelling to our gite in Lower Normandy
To rent our gite in Normandy is easy, as is access. It is well served with good road, rail and air links the choice is yours depending on your preferred mode of transport and how far away you live from the ports and how quickly you want to arrive as well as the all important budget.
Owning our gite in Normandy means we take advantage of Brittany Ferries property owners scheme. This means we can offer a discount of up to 15% on Brittany Ferries crossings whether or not you book your accommodation with us. Simply quote F7L071 WOULD when you book with them. You may also be able to achieve better fare prices on other crossings with Chez Nous.
Brittany Ferries www.brittany-ferries.com offer sailings out of Portsmouth and Poole (including fast and overnight crossings) to Cherbourg, Caen and St. Malo
Ld Lines www.ldlines.co.uk - Offer Cheap crossings to Portsmouth / Le Havre with 2 crossings per day and from Newhaven to Dieppe
Condor ferries www.condorferries.co.uk run from Poole to St Malo and Cherbourg
Weymouth to St Malo and Portsmouth to Cherbourg
Companies offering crossings to Calais and Boulogne include:
P&O Ferries www.poferries.com, Norfolk Lines www.norfolkline.com, Hoverspeed www.hoverspeed.com, Sea France www.seafrance.com and Le Shuttle www.eurotunnel.com.
You may also like to visit www.aferry.to and www.ferryonline.co.uk, or ferrysavers to compare ferry crossings.
For travel directions to our gite in Normandy, use via michelin or the AA or RAC. Type in La Balayrie, 61150, Ranes for the destination and whichever point of entry you are using. I will send you addtional directins from nearby. Remember that fuel is generally cheaper than the UK, however this will depend on the exchange rate.
From October 2008 all drivers in France must carry a warning triangle and fluorescent jacket in case of a breakdown. If stopped and you do not have these, there is an on the spot fine of 90 euros. So buy before you leave in the UK or at the port, or as you arrive in France, as they may be cheaper (providing the exchange rate is favourable). In Spain You have to have 2 jackets!! i understand from 2009 there has to be a high visibility jacket for every person in the car and it has to be easily accessible in the event of a breakdown check out drive alive
Here are some links to our gite in Normandy
www.brittany-ferries.co.uk
wwww.ldlines.co.uk
www.poferries.co.uk
www.viamichelin.com
www.sncf.com
for tv info www.orange.fr and www.sky.com
EHIC card
The cover the EHIC provides
The EHIC can be used to cover any necessary medical treatment due to either an accident or illness within the European Economic Area and Switzerland. The card entitles the holder to state-provided medical treatment within the country they are visiting. This may not cover all of the services you would expect within the UK and you may have to make a contribution towards the care you receive.
The EHIC can also be used to receive treatment for pre-existing illnesses and chronic diseases, but conditions do apply so please check with your healthcare provider before you travel. Maternity care is covered by the EHIC whilst you are away, but if you are travelling to a country specifically to have a baby then you will need to complete an E112 form. Again, ask your healthcare provider for more information before you travel.
The EHIC may not cover persons for all medical costs incurred, so you are strongly advised to also arrange travel insurance to ensure that you are covered for all possible eventualities. Furthermore, you will not be covered by an EHIC if the main purpose of your travel is to receive medical treatment.
The EHIC is valid within the European Economic Area, which includes the European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland also has an agreement in place with the European Union to accept the EHIC.
The following countries are covered by the EHIC:
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus (not including Northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Roads, motorway signs and speeds
Driving in France
Motoring notes on the driving laws and you. An introduction to what you must (and must not) do when driving in France: licences, speeding, driving and alcohol.
Information below on the general rules and regulations of driving in France, valid licences, speed limits, priority and road conditions, using the autoroute, fuel (petrol, diesel and GPL), accidents, driving while intoxicated, registering a foreign car and buying and selling a car.
The minimum age in France to drive a car is 18 years. Drivers must have a valid driving licence and be 18 years or older. The minimum ages to ride varying sizes of scooters or motor bikes vary, beginning with mopeds (cyclomoteurs) of under 50cc where it is 14 years subject to the conditions outlined on this INFOrmation Page: French Driving Licences.
Rules & Regulations
Drive on the right in France
It is compulsory to wear a seat belt front and rear (if fitted)
It is compulsory for all children up to 10 years to travel in the back seat of a car and wear a seat belt or be strapped into a proper child seat. Only adults and children from 10 years may sit in the front passenger seat
Mobile cellular telephones may not be used while driving except with a "handsfree" system
It is compulsory to carry a driving licence, car registration papers (Carte Grise) and insurance documents. (These must be the original documents; keep copies separately.)
Third party insurance is compulsory
Driving with lights on by day is optional.
Warning triangle and safety jacket
By law, one red warning triangle and one high-visibility waistcoat/vest must be carried in a vehicle. In the event of breakdown the driver must put on the safety jacket before leaving the vehicle, and then place the warning triangle 30 metres from the breakdown to warn approaching traffic. Failure to carry these items in the vehicle is punishable by a fine incurred per item not carried.
The triangle must conform to EU standards, evidence for which is the stamp E 27 R
The high-visibility garment must conform to EU standards EN 471 or EN 1150, in order to conform with European Directive 89/686/EEC
Further information from Sécurité routière: Click here (in French)
Licences
EU and EEA driving licences are valid in France. However, if a French resident holding a non-French licence issued by an EU or EEA member country commits a motoring offence in France that involves penalty points they must exchange that licence for a French licence. See Foreign Driving Licences in France for further details.
International Driving Licences (IDL) accompanied by a valid foreign licence (non-EU or EEA) are accepted in France. But once the licence holder has been resident in the country for one year the licence becomes invalid. If an exchange agreement exists with the issuing country it may be exchanged for a French one during the first year of residency. If there is no exchange agreement the driver must pass a full French driving examination to qualify for a French licence.
For details on licence exchanges, see this AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Foreign Driving Licences in France
For details on getting a licence see this AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: French Driving Licences
Loss and theft of paperwork
If a licence is lost or stolen, report it to the police station closest to where it went missing. The police will provide a receipt, which is a temporary permit valid for two months.
If vehicle registration papers are stolen, go to the police station closest to where the theft happened. The police will issue a certificate. To apply for a replacement, take the police certificate, proof of identity, proof of residence and the technical certificate (Contrôle Technique) to the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture.
Speed Limits, Priority & Road Conditions
Speed limits UNLESS otherwise marked by signs:
Autoroute (national highway/freeway system/motorway system): 130 Km/h and 110 Km/h when raining
Expressways: 110 Km/h and 100 Km/h when raining
Two lane roads or single lane roads separated by an island: 110 Km/h and 100 Km/h when raining
Regional roads: 90 Km/h and 80 Km/h when raining
Built up areas (towns and villages): 50 Km/h
Any time visibility is less than 50m: 50 Km/h
Speed Cameras
The French Government website Sécurité Routière regularly publishes updates on placement of fixed speed monitoring radars.
For positions of the fixed and mobile radars and cameras: Click here (in French)
For an FAQ on how speed detection cameras and the penalty system works: Click here (in French)
The privately owned website Controle Radar provides this information in English: Click here
Road Conditions
Bison Futé (website in English) is the official French national centre for information on road and traffic conditions.
For real-time data on accidents, road closures or other unexpected problems for all areas of France: Click here (in French) or Click here (in English)
Tel: 0826 022 022 (From outside France: +33 892 687 888)
Right of way/priority
When driving in a city, town or village, the right of way at an intersection is automatically given to the vehicle on the right - la priorité à droite - unless otherwise indicated by stop or yield/give way signs. This applies even in the case of a small side road entering a major main road. The vehicle travelling on the main road must give way to the vehicle entering on the right.
Road signs
For complete list of all the road signs in France and what they mean: Click here (in French only)
Using the Autoroute in France
The autoroute road system is toll-paying with several companies owning the tolls for a particular region. Autoroutes France (in French) is a portal for all French toll companies. The price of a toll will be shown at the entrance to the gates. Most toll fees can be paid in cash, by credit card or via a subscription with the relevant toll company.
For a full list of the companies and the areas they manage, with links to their websites: Click here
Fuel: Petrol and Diesel
All fuel stations sell diesel (gazole) and unleaded petrol (essence) in 95 and 98 octane. Many stock autogas/LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, GPL in French). Many fuel stations have automatic pumps for payment by credit card (some are card-operated only).
For petrol and diesel price comparisons throughout France: Click here (in French)
Accidents
In the event of an accident call the police (Tel: 17). An ambulance will be called if one is needed. All those involved must fill in an accident report form (constat à l'amiable) and swap insurance details (always keep the blue constat à l'amiable in the car).
For full details see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page: Road Traffic Accident in France
Drink Driving, DUI and DWI
A driver is considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol - driving drunk - in France if the blood/alcohol level is equal to or exceeds 0.5 grams per litre (g/l).
If the blood/alcohol level is between 0.5 g/l and 0.8 g/l the penalty could include a fine and the loss of six points
If the blood/alcohol level is in excess of 0.8g/l the penalty could include two years in jail, a fine, the confiscation of the vehicle, the suspension of the licence or the loss of six points
If the blood/alcohol exceeds the legal limit, and a presence of banned narcotics (drugs) is detected, the penalty could include three years in prison and a fine
If a driver causes an accident while driving drunk, the fine could be dramatically increased
If a driver causes serious physical harm or commits involuntary manslaughter (a victim dies as a result of the driver's actions), penalties may be a ten-year prison sentence and a fine of up to €150,000
A driver who refuses to take the breathalyser, may face further penalties.
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Useful travel vocabulary
Comprehensive list of French terms and phrases useful if the car has broken down, has a flat tyre or if the keys are locked inside. Also a list of mechanical terminology and car parts in English and French for dealing with auto repairs and mechanics.
The most common French mechanical terms can be often found in the dictionary. However, even quite large French-English dictionaries don't include the essential phrases needed to communicate via the SOS Autoroute telephones, with an insurance company or in a time of crisis.
Here's a list to get you started, whether you have just broken down, are buying a car, or are trying to communicate with the mechanic.
English French
I have run out of petrol Je suis en panne d'essence
Je suis en panne sèche
My car has broken down Ma voiture est tombée en panne
My car won't start Ma voiture ne démarre pas
My car needs a jump start J'ai besoin de faire démarrer une voiture en branchant ma batterie sur une autre
or (less formal): J'ai besoin de faire démarrer avec les cables
I have a flat tyre J'ai un pneu crevé
My battery is flat Je n'ai plus de batterie
I locked the keys in the car J'ai enfermé mes clés dans ma voiture
I have had an accident J'ai eu un accident de voiture
J'ai eu un accrochage
I crashed the car J'ai eu un accident
J'ai eu une collision avec ma voiture
I skidded J'ai dérapé
He crashed into me Il m'est rentré dedans avec sa voiture
English French
air-conditioning la climatisation (clim)
air tyre pressure la pression des pneus
axle un essieu
battery une batterie
brake light un témoin de frein
bodywork la carrosserie
brakes les freins
brake fluid le liquide de frein
break down tomber en panne
breakdown truck une dépanneuse
cam shaft un arbre à cames
carburettor un carburateur
catalytic convertor un pot catalytique
check the oil vérifier le niveau d'huile
check the pressure vérifier la pression
choke un starter
clutch embrayage
connecting rod une bielle
constant velocity (CV) joint joint homocinétique
crankshaft un vilebrequin
cruise control system un régulateur de vitesse
cylinder un cylindre
cylinder head une culasse
cylinder head gasket un joint de culasse
dashboard le tableau de bord
dipstick une jauge de niveau d'huile
distributor (head) (tête de) Delco / un distributeur
drive belt une courroie de transmission
drive shaft un arbre moteur
engine le moteur
exhaust pipe un pot d'échappement
exhaust valve un clapet de refoulement
fan ventilateur
fan belt une courroie de ventilateur
fender/bumper un pare-chocs
fog headlamp/headlights un feu anti-brouillard
front-wheel drive la traction avant
fuel gauge une jauge à essence
fuel pump une pompe d'alimentation
fuse un fusible
gear box une (boîte de) vitesse
grill une calandre
hatchback/tailgate un hayon
headlamps/headlights les phares
horsepower un cheval (fiscal)
hubcap un enjoliveur
ignition allumage
ignition switch le démarreur
indicator/blinker un clignotant
jack un cric
jump leads/cables câbles de démarrage
oil change une vidange
oil gauge une jauge d'huile
muffler/silencer un silencieux
number plates plaques de immatriculation
power steering la direction assistée
radiator un radiateur
rear lamps/tail lights feux arrières
roll bar un arceau de sécurité
service a car faire la révision
shock absorber un amortisseur
side mirror rétroviseur
spare part une pièce détachée / de rechange
spare wheel une roue de secours
spark plug une bougie
speedometer un compteur de vitesse
steering column la colonne de direction
steering lock un antivol
steering wheel le Volant
surface adhesion la tenue de route
gas/fuel tank un réservoir
test for structural damage passer au marbre
timing belt une courroie de transmission
transmission la transmission
tune a car régler le moteur
tyre pneu
tyre tread une bande de roulement
universal joint un cardan
unleaded petrol essence sans plomb
vest (high-visibility) gilet rétro-réfléchissant
warning triangle triangle de pré-signalisation
water pipe une durit
water pump une pompe à eau
wheel une roue
wheel alignment le parallélisme des roues
wheel balancing équilibrage de roue
windscreen / windshield un pare-brise
windscreen wipers essuie glace
wing une aile
wiring le câblage
