French tolls

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nigel dewbery

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We are looking at France for the first time in 2024 and hear a lot about their “expensive tolls” and paying for them
How does the system work? Can you pay cash at the booth? Do you need to have a tag and where do you get one for over 3.5t? What are the other issues?
Thanks
 
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I personally never bothered with the peage..mind you was never in a hurry to get to anywhere..always used the N routes and D routes..I think you see more of France that way..the only time I used it was going over the Millau..just to say that I'd done it..I'm sure there will be other views..my advice...do it the way you want to..
 
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I only motorhome in France and been all over, personally I avoid tolls as they are very expensive particularly over 3.5t and more axels. Personally I prefer to get around slowly on the departmentals an put the money in the fuel tank, a great way to actually see France! Unless your time limited and have a particular destination. There are web page caculators for cost of toll routes. Also Park4night is great for free stopovers!
 
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Thanks will look
Airebus said:
I only motorhome in France and been all over, personally I avoid tolls as they are very expensive particularly over 3.5t and more axels. Personally I prefer to get around slowly on the departmentals an put the money in the fuel tank, a great way to actually see France! Unless your time limited and have a particular destination. There are web page caculators for cost of toll routes. Also Park4night is great for free stopovers
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Personally I don’t think they are that expensive as other make out on here. Especially if you are an under 3.5t motorhome. We use them occasionally and haven’t been put off by the prices. They are very simple to use, very much so with a tag. I wouldn’t recommend a tag for your first visit. Go and see what you think first.
 
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Here's the rub, tolls are expensive as you are class 2 but not using them will take up much more of your time going through endless villages with 20 roundabouts, 3 chicanes and 24 sets of traffic lights each. An example where we took tolls this year was Nonacourt to Beaune. Non toll rout was 5hr 44m toll road 3hr 35m . We were in a hurry so used tolls then onwards to the alps to see the TDF but it was £80 odd quid. Since we have not used a toll road in 10 weeks but will tomorrow to cross the pont Normandy to save a massive detour from Honfleur up to St Valerie en caux for our last night before the ferry.

Some toll routes are longer and some don't save that much time or an 1.5hr journey will be 2hrs.

Endless boring closed up villages are not what they are cracked up to be and they all pretty much look the same, deserted ghost towns with no life or any shops etc.
 
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Landy Andy said:
Personally I don’t think they are that expensive as other make out on here. Especially if you are an under 3.5t motorhome. We use them occasionally and haven’t been put off by the prices. They are very simple to use, very much so with a tag. I wouldn’t recommend a tag for your first visit. Go and see what you think first.
Click to expand...
Well in June cost of tolls was more than the vans annual VED.
 
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Because we only ever have 2 weeks we tend to use tolls. The tag makes life easier but we managed for decades without it.
This year we decided to minimise our use of tolls. This had a number of benefits - we felt we saw much more of ‘real France’, the roads were more interesting and - by chance - we stumbled on my great-uncles War Grave.
We’re off again next month And once again will aim to minimise use of tolls.

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MichaelT said:
Here's the rub, tolls are expensive as you are class 2 but not using them will take up much more of your time going through endless villages with 20 roundabouts, 3 chicanes and 24 sets of traffic lights each. An example where we took tolls this year was Nonacourt to Beaune. Non toll rout was 5hr 44m toll road 3hr 35m . We were in a hurry so used tolls then onwards to the alps to see the TDF but it was £80 odd quid. Since we have not used a toll road in 10 weeks but will tomorrow to cross the pont Normandy to save a massive detour from Honfleur up to St Valerie en caux for our last night before the ferry.

Some toll routes are longer and some don't save that much time or an 1.5hr journey will be 2hrs.

Endless boring closed up villages are not what they are cracked up to be and they all pretty much look the same, deserted ghost towns with no life or any shops etc.
Click to expand...
Not forgetting the vicious speed bumps. Hint if they have a blue flashing light go slow.....very slow 🙂
 
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BikerGraham said:
Well in June cost of tolls was more than the vans annual VED.
Click to expand...
£12 I think for the M6 toll. £2.50 to go over a bridge on a motorway in the uk. We did four days in France this summer non stop motorway using tolls cost £89. All spotless roads, no congestion, loads of picnic spots, lots of fuel service points, all presigned with their prices.
And you get a choice if you use them. But for the quality, and speed I don’t think they are bad value at all, especially when compared to the UK
 
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We almost always take the toll roads, for us the time saving and easy driving is worth it. Not only are the roads themselves generally great, but they are rarely busy.

If you're 2 axles and under 3m high then you'll be charged class 2 (even if your weight means technically you should be class 3).

A toll tag is definitely worth it....makes the peage quick and easy, you can use the non-stop 30kph lanes at a lot of them too. The tolls cost the same, but you pay something around €2.50 for each month you use it. Again, technically, the tags are only for classes 1 and 2, but see my comment above regarding height.
 
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Landy Andy said:
£12 I think for the M6 toll. £2.50 to go over a bridge on a motorway in the uk. We did four days in France this summer non stop motorway using tolls cost £89. All spotless roads, no congestion, loads of picnic spots, lots of fuel service points, all presigned with their prices.
And you get a choice if you use them. But for the quality, and speed I don’t think they are bad value at all, especially when compared to the UK
Click to expand...
Yep the tyne tunnel is £2.10 for a car and £3.90 for the van. More than the Dartford crossing.

We use tolls in France sparingly but they are handy and costs can mount up quickly.

You are right of course the facilities are excellent and Road works are very well managed with little inconvenience to the motorists.

Think if we had tolls like that here, all over and for most motorways. The cost of travelling, especially for work would be significantly more than it is now.

My prices would increase a fair bit to cover the additional costs for travelling.
 
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Last March, it cost me approx £180 in tolls to get from Calais to the Spanish border - Western route. Coming back it seemed a bit cheaper coming through the East of France. Less than 3.5 t.

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Toll roads for us.. unless there is an alternative National road

as mentioned before, the alternative D roads can be slow and monotonous..

easiest way to pay is using a contactless debit/credit card
 
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steve69 said:
Last March, it cost me approx £180 in tolls to get from Calais to the Spanish border - Western route. Coming back it seemed a bit cheaper coming through the East of France. Less than 3.5 t.
Click to expand...
That’s some cost for a return trip 😳😳
 
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I'll drag it back for the OP.
The way it works is variable.
Let's assume you don't have a tag.
I'll also assume you are under 3.5t (but of that more later)

On attempting to get onto the Toll road, you could be faced with a kiosk with
someone asking for money. There will be an alternative to pay by card.
There could be a barrier and a machine giving out tickets.
Take the ticket and the barrier rises.
There will also be other lanes where peeps with Tags can get on.

Alternatively, there could be just a machine doling out a card. Keep that card because somewhere
down the road you will come up to a kiosk as per my first sentence. That kiosk will be manned?
or automatic where the machine gobbles up the card and asks for the money, usually in the form
of a card.

Now, about the weight.

The French have to pass a test to drive +3.5T vehicles. (I appreciate that the 'youngsters'?
over here have to do as well) but,
They don't have the 'Grandad' rights that have been bestowed on those passing their driving teast
before 1997.

As a result it seems that all French vans have helium in their tyres because vans that would be +3.5t
here magically seem to be -3.5T there???

So, if you have a van that is +3.5t which should be Class 3 and therefore dearer to Toll and the barrier does not
rise, press the 'Call' button and say something like, "Nous somme Class deux. Nous avon the Camping Car."
(We are Class Two. We are a Motorhome)
Unless you are a twin axle leviathan with a length like a Wallace Arnold bus, the barrier should rise.

Anyone else care to join in?

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Upvote 0
Emmit said:
I'll drag it back for the OP.
The way it works is variable.
Let's assume you don't have a tag.
I'll also assume you are under 3.5t (but of that more later)

On attempting to get onto the Toll road, you could be faced with a kiosk with
someone asking for money. There will be an alternative to pay by card.
There could be a barrier and a machine giving out tickets.
Take the ticket and the barrier rises.
There will also be other lanes where peeps with Tags can get on.

Alternatively, there could be just a machine doling out a card. Keep that card because somewhere
down the road you will come up to a kiosk as per my first sentence. That kiosk will be manned?
or automatic where the machine gobbles up the card and asks for the money, usually in the form
of a card.

Now, about the weight.

The French have to pass a test to drive +3.5T vehicles. (I appreciate that the 'youngsters'?
over here have to do as well) but,
They don't have the 'Grandad' rights that have been bestowed on those passing their driving teast
before 1997.

As a result it seems that all French vans have helium in their tyres because vans that would be +3.5t
here magically seem to be -3.5T there???

So, if you have a van that is +3.5t which should be Class 3 and therefore dearer to Toll and the barrier does not
rise, press the 'Call' button and say something like, "Nous somme Class deux. Nous avon the Camping Car."
(We are Class Two. We are a Motorhome)
Unless you are a twin axle leviathan with a length like a Wallace Arnold bus, the barrier should rise.

Anyone else care to join in?
Click to expand...
Not seen a manned toll boothroyd years, all seem automatic now.
 
Upvote 0
Grianan said:
Because we only ever have 2 weeks we tend to use tolls. The tag makes life easier but we managed for decades without it.
This year we decided to minimise our use of tolls. This had a number of benefits - we felt we saw much more of ‘real France’, the roads were more interesting and - by chance - we stumbled on my great-uncles War Grave.
We’re off again next month And once again will aim to minimise use of tolls.
Click to expand...
DangerMousy said:
We almost always take the toll roads, for us the time saving and easy driving is worth it. Not only are the roads themselves generally great, but they are rarely busy.

If you're 2 axles and under 3m high then you'll be charged class 2 (even if your weight means technically you should be class 3).

A toll tag is definitely worth it....makes the peage quick and easy, you can use the non-stop 30kph lanes at a lot of them too. The tolls cost the same, but you pay something around €2.50 for each month you use it. Again, technically, the tags are only for classes 1 and 2, but see my comment above regarding height.
Click to expand...
How strict is the height? Our van in 2.94 but have added ac which takes it to about 3.2
 
Upvote 0
Useful info from the links in this artcal!
www.goboony.com

A Guide to French Motorway Tolls - Toll Roads in France

France is home to many tourist hotspots, ranging from the grand Eiffel Tower in Paris, to the deep blue waters of the French Riviera. The rich culture and history of the country attract visitors from all around the globe, many of whom prefer to rent a car or motorhome and cruise down the French...
www.goboony.com www.goboony.com
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0
Emmit said:
I'll drag it back for the OP.
The way it works is variable.
Let's assume you don't have a tag.
I'll also assume you are under 3.5t (but of that more later)

On attempting to get onto the Toll road, you could be faced with a kiosk with
someone asking for money. There will be an alternative to pay by card.
There could be a barrier and a machine giving out tickets.
Take the ticket and the barrier rises.
There will also be other lanes where peeps with Tags can get on.

Alternatively, there could be just a machine doling out a card. Keep that card because somewhere
down the road you will come up to a kiosk as per my first sentence. That kiosk will be manned?
or automatic where the machine gobbles up the card and asks for the money, usually in the form
of a card.

Now, about the weight.

The French have to pass a test to drive +3.5T vehicles. (I appreciate that the 'youngsters'?
over here have to do as well) but,
They don't have the 'Grandad' rights that have been bestowed on those passing their driving teast
before 1997.

As a result it seems that all French vans have helium in their tyres because vans that would be +3.5t
here magically seem to be -3.5T there???

So, if you have a van that is +3.5t which should be Class 3 and therefore dearer to Toll and the barrier does not
rise, press the 'Call' button and say something like, "Nous somme Class deux. Nous avon the Camping Car."
(We are Class Two. We are a Motorhome)
Unless you are a twin axle leviathan with a length like a Wallace Arnold bus, the barrier should rise.

Anyone else care to join in?
Click to expand...
Many thanks my pigeon french can handle this!
 
Upvote 0
nigel dewbery said:
How strict is the height? Our van in 2.94 but have added ac which takes it to about 3.2
Click to expand...

According to this document the AC or any other components attached to the roof shouldn’t be included in the overall height.

“Calculation of the total height of the vehicle or rolling assembly:
• All elements of the vehicle or rolling assembly are taken into account in the calculation of the total height.
• Elements attached to the roof as well as
Goods or baggage on trailers or flatbeds are not taken into account in the calculation of the total height of the vehicle or rolling assembly.”

I obtained our Mango (now Fulli) tag using the registration of my wife’s small Kia car as we hadn’t taken delivery of the moho at the time. I then simply changed the registration in the ‘my account’ section of the app to the MoHo’s, which although coming in at 3650kg is otherwise identical to the 3500kg models - two axles and spot on 3m to the top of the AC unit. We have been charged as Class 2 after using motorways in France, Spain and Italy and wouldn’t be without it because of the ease of rolling through the non-stop 30 kph lanes at the toll booths.

The Fulli Nomade + tag, valid for France, Spain, Portugal and Italy is still available on a cracking special offer.
 
Upvote 0
We use toll roads as required and have a tag. This summer it averaged 20c/kilometre, I considered it value for money getting quickly, and comfortably, from one region to another. Fuel consumption is also much better on the autoroute, and the route is generally shorter.
 
Upvote 0
Orion said:
According to this document the AC or any other components attached to the roof shouldn’t be included in the overall height.

“Calculation of the total height of the vehicle or rolling assembly:
• All elements of the vehicle or rolling assembly are taken into account in the calculation of the total height.
• Elements attached to the roof as well as
Goods or baggage on trailers or flatbeds are not taken into account in the calculation of the total height of the vehicle or rolling assembly.”

I obtained our Mango (now Fulli) tag using the registration of my wife’s small Kia car as we hadn’t taken delivery of the moho at the time. I then simply changed the registration in the ‘my account’ section of the app to the MoHo’s, which although coming in at 3650kg is otherwise identical to the 3500kg models - two axles and spot on 3m to the top of the AC unit. We have been charged as Class 2 after using motorways in France, Spain and Italy and wouldn’t be without it because of the ease of rolling through the non-stop 30 kph lanes at the toll booths.

The Fulli Nomade + tag, valid for France, Spain, Portugal and Italy is still available on a cracking special offer.
Click to expand...
Really helpful thanks
 
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