France

[Enjibenji5]

Hi everyone,
Hope you are all ok?
We are driving to Spain just after Christmas and as it's our first time I have loads of questions.
I am just going through what documents we need and have seen that we might need a vignette. We want to get from Calais to Irun, will we need it to go this route also whats the best route to avoid tolls?
Thanks

 

[Capitanjohn]

my campsites from calais in the winter are, Ardres, Geraudot, Lyon, Palavas, Hospitalet de l infant, all open all year, campsites cos i like to plug in and have all facilities.

 

[Enjibenji5]

my campsites from calais in the winter are, Ardres, Geraudot, Lyon, Palavas, Hospitalet de l infant, all open all year, campsites cos i like to plug in and have all facilities.

That's good to know, thanks.

 

[Offagain]

Another thought.
If you’re going to use aires, it’s worth remembering that many in France have the fresh water turned off during the winter in case of freezing. We usually carry an emergency 20l container of water in the garage so we can at least rinse out the cassette.
Using park4night or similar enables you to see recent reviews which often say whether the water is currently on or off.

 

[Enjibenji5]

Another thought.
If you’re going to use aires, it’s worth remembering that many in France have the fresh water turned off during the winter in case of freezing. We usually carry an emergency 20l container of water in the garage so we can at least rinse out the cassette.
Using park4night or similar enables you to see recent reviews which often say whether the water is currently on or off.

Thanks, I have picked a couple of aires from park4night so will see about the water, we always carry spare containers of water just in case.

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[xsparks]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe France requires you to use snow tyres in the winter months. You may come across snow in southern France,northern Spain.

 

[Enjibenji5]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe France requires you to use snow tyres in the winter months. You may come across snow in southern France,northern Spain.

I've got the chunky knobbly tyres lol, are they OK?

 

[Enjibenji5]

These ones

 

[rb62]

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I believe France requires you to use snow tyres in the winter months. You may come across snow in southern France,northern Spain.

Correct,all explained here

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/actualites/A14389?lang=en

 

[Minxy]

Info ref snow chain etc requirements on this thread:

What ‘snow’ equipment do I need to buy?

So, it seems that the grace period is now up and even travelling the western route south to Spain, one now needs to carry snow chains or socks to comply with ‘the rules’ for the last part (department) of the French route before the Irun border. I know I could change tyres to comply, will do...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[Enjibenji5]

Info ref snow chain etc requirements on this thread:

What ‘snow’ equipment do I need to buy?

So, it seems that the grace period is now up and even travelling the western route south to Spain, one now needs to carry snow chains or socks to comply with ‘the rules’ for the last part (department) of the French route before the Irun border. I know I could change tyres to comply, will do...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Thanks, just checked tyres and we're good.

 

[royandsharont]

Would they be able to check electronically though?

My confirmation email included an image of their disc bearing my reg number and said to prove I have the certificate until tge screen disc arrived. I presume they could.

 

[Enjibenji5]

My confirmation email included an image of their disc bearing my reg number and said to prove I have the certificate until tge screen disc arrived. I presume they could.

I will print off a copy to take just in case, probably won't even need it but just in case

 

[flatpackchicken]

Interesting info regarding tyres and insurance in France, but bet UK insurance will jump on the band wagon if you have an accident anywhere now !!!! Xxx

Snow tyre law could be used by French car insurers to refuse claims

Although drivers will not be fined for non-compliance until next year, insurers say they may be exempt from cover in the case of an accident

www.connexionfrance.com