Comments on: Driving in France

By: Phil in Normandy

Phil in Normandy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:43:12 +0000

Just in case those are serious questions:

1. Apart from around major cities, where there may be more, autoroutes are normally 2 lanes in each direction.
2. Right.
3. SOME autoroutes are toll roads where you pay at a booth (péage). Usually you take a ticket on entering and pay when exiting.
4. Diesel is gazole (black handle pump) petrol is essence or sans plomb (green handle pump).
5. If you have one hand and half a brain you can use a petrol pump.

By: Ahmed

Ahmed — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:11:19 +0000

Hi Julie,

I’m planning to travel to France and I have decided that I will rent a car there .. And I will use it outside Paris. all I need is to answering my questions please !!
1- in the Highway how many lines there ? 4 or 3 ? and which one is for the trucks is it on the left or the right or in the mid ?
2- the cars there is driven on the left or on the right ?
3- I don’t how I can know if there I need to pay for the using highway between cities ? I don’t know what you call it ?
4- can you tell me How I can know the ( Diesel and Petrol ) in french !!
5- how I can use the Gas station !! cause I know there is no one can fill your tank ! you need to use your hands !!!

Sorry for my questions but it’s important to know a small details before Summer !!

Cheers,

By: Susan Bath

Susan Bath — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:25:15 +0000

If anyone has tips about driving in southwestern France, in the area of Carcassone-Montpellier, I’d love to hear them. The tolls are sooo expensive. Is taking back roads feasible-or does it just take too long to get anywhere?

By: Julie Blakley

Julie Blakley — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:45:07 +0000

Hey pops, nice added tips. BUT remember that narrow street we went down and got stuck in was in ITALY not in France (though it could have happened in France just as easily). Also, as a general tip, always avoid driving in Paris. It’s not a bad idea to take the train out to Versailles or another city outside of Paris and rent your car there so you avoid having to drive through the city.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:02:59 +0000

I can tell a couple of things to avoid if you rent a car in France. Be really careful if you fly all night and don’t sleep on the plane, only to arrive in Paris early in the morning and then try to drive into the heart of the city in the rush hour traffic. It’s an accident waiting to happen. Also don’t drive down steep, narrow roads in old towns if you are not sure where they go. You might have to drive back up that same road in reverse when find that the exit is to small for your car.

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:31:22 +0000

I agree a car is a great way to see France, I also found the TGV to be quite expensive for relatively short trips.