Maiden beginner’s voyage & it’s France, What do I need to know?

[PlymBob]

I know, I should have a trial run locally, but what with weather and one thing and another it never happened, and here we are off to France for the first time on Thursday. Thankfully, not the first time to France, but it is the first voyage in a campervan apart from one night hooked up at Baltic Wharf a few weeks ago.

It’s a German van with German gas fittings. Do I need an adaptor to fit French gas bottles? If so, does anyone know what I need, or where to get it? And where should I buy bottled gas from, ideally 5kg or 6kg if it’ll fit?

I’ll initially be getting Brittany Ferries to Roscoff. I’ve checked and all the Caravan & Motorhome Club sites in Brittany are closed. Can anyone tell me what I need and how to check to find overnight stops such as Aires or campsites please?

Are there any suggestions for where to buy cassette toilet chemicals?

Do I need to have my actual driving license with me? I sent it for (age 70) renewal of C1 back in November and it hasn’t been returned yet. The van is under 3500kg but I thought it would be sensible to take the medical and hang on to C1 in case I need it for the future. After 3 months waiting for DVLA to return it maybe I shouldn’t have done.

What else have I forgotten?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Nanniemate]

Jail ? It's France not Russia!

Run up enough misdemeaners and yes especially if you cannot pay the on spot fines and really p them off

 

[stevewagner]

Your point would not sound so bad if you had referred to the “whole sentence” and not picked ‘a little bit’ out of it to prove your point. No one was being “dictatorial”, it was giving sound advise, however even though you make your point by being selective, I can’t believe anyone would say, “yo mate stuff having your licence - a legal requirement - and just go! I’m sure everyone would say, delay, get your licence, then go! Which is why the OP came on this site, to ask for advise!.

Everyone is a novice to begin with. We first went abroad in the early 70’s and there was no IT comforts then. While I agree he must have his license with him everything else can be ‘learn as you go’. Europe is not the third world and you can always find help when you need it.

 

[dawsey]

possibly the most important thing to remember is to always drive on the right.

While it may seem obvious, there is real danger, especially when pulling out of an aire onto a quiet country road (as most are) in the morning. Decades of UK driving and muscle memory can very, very easily place you on the wrong side of the road.

To avoid any chance of accidentally being 3.5tons of instant death to some innocent local in their Twingo - put a reminder to drive on the right somewhere prominent on dash or windscreen.

Mostly, though, you will quickly discover that driving in France is far easier and less stressful than UK. Away from major cities, roads are generally both quieter and wider, there are no potholes and parking is much easier. Enjoy.

 

[oldiesontour]

Agreed can be learn as you go but without an abundance of money or cover...You ain't going far with a motorway breakdown or a heart attack!!!

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[Suenliam]

Bio washing liquid/sachets - cheap, easy to find in all supermarkets and they work. However, remember they work because the enzymes are "live" so if you are using the blue stuff you will need to thoroughly clean out your casette before changing. We were fortunate - we used it on our new casette so no cleaning necessary.
Apart from your licence, try not to over think the holiday. Yes read up on all the stuff on this thread but this holiday will hopefully not be your last in France. We (at least I) always comeback with good ideas for next time and we/ve being going twice a year since 1990 The first time we went we had the (camper van) high top for 6 weeks and the stop at Questembert (south Brittany) was our first overnight. No internet then so no idea what we should be worried about! Loved it and survived!
Get your licence sorted and then get yourselves over the channel.
Sue

 

[DandJ]

Oh, and maybe pop the van to a local weighbridge beforehand....

 

[Emmit]

possibly the most important thing to remember is to always drive on the right.

While it may seem obvious, there is real danger, especially when pulling out of an aire onto a quiet country road (as most are) in the morning. Decades of UK driving and muscle memory can very, very easily place you on the wrong side of the road.

To avoid any chance of accidentally being 3.5tons of instant death to some innocent local in their Twingo - put a reminder to drive on the right somewhere prominent on dash or windscreen.

Mostly, though, you will quickly discover that driving in France is far easier and less stressful than UK. Away from major cities, roads are generally both quieter and wider, there are no potholes and parking is much easier. Enjoy.

"While it may seem obvious, there is real danger, especially when pulling out of an aire onto a quiet country road (as most are) in the morning. Decades of UK driving and muscle memory can very, very easily place you on the wrong side of the road."

I can second that comment.

Years ago, when tugging, I left a Dual Carriageway/Motorway and went up the ramp to a minor road where I turned left.

Having crossed over the bridge spanning the main road, Mrs Emmit said, quite casually," Are we going to continue or are you going to start driving ON THE RIGHT!!!" Oops!

 

[meanders]

Yep. Been there. Again fortunately the road was quiet. I then got a satnav that reminded me everyone it started.

 

[Carpmart]

I Hope you don’t mind but I’ve put your number in my phone, just in case I brave travelling through France at some point next year

God help her!

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[Nanniemate]

My mothers comment every time moving off was 'my side'

Trouble was she had such a habit took her from Dover to home to reajust

 

[Puddleduck]

I already have an 11kg UK propane (with German to UK adaptor), but know I won't be able to exchange it in France, hence was thinking of keeping it in reserve and using exchangeable 5 or 6kg French bottles.

Not sure where you are going in France but if you are near the German border could you replace your German gas bottle?

I am also a fan of the refillable systems as no need to lift heavy bottles in and out of the locker. There are fillers for these either in a side of the van (or occasionally inside the locker) but every country appears to have a different connector so you do need the adaptors.

 

[Barchetta47]

These posts make it all sound very difficult when it’s not. You need the basics, driving licence, insurance, travel insurance and breakdown cover. After that everything is down to how prepared you want to be. Europe after all is not a third world environment and is very used to motorhomes!

We bought our MH stayed one night in it when we travelled from the north to the south coast. We parked it up for two weeks and then in February went to Spain and Portugal for 10 weeks. During that time we more or less learned everything we needed to know about motorhoming!!

 

[Puddleduck]

How do you think the French Gendarmarie would react to "I forgot to bring my license"?

Not well I think.......

These posts make it all sound very difficult when it’s not. You need the basics, driving licence, insurance, travel insurance and breakdown cover. After that everything is down to how prepared you want to be. .

You will also need your passport and ticket(s) for ferry or tunnel, any medicines plus a payment card. If you wear glasses take a spare pair or two and a copy of your prescription with you. Anything else can be bought.

We usually plan the life out of any journey and then after finding somewhere nice the plans go out of the window!!!

I take copies of all documentation and leave it with a trusted person "just in case". So far I have not needed it.

 

[Joethejoiner]

What is "little bag of adaptors" please and where can I get one?
"SOG"??

Simple answer is you don't need toilet chemicals . Use cheap liquid [or sachets] detergent

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[Paul and Chris]

I know, I should have a trial run locally, but what with weather and one thing and another it never happened, and here we are off to France for the first time on Thursday. Thankfully, not the first time to France, but it is the first voyage in a campervan apart from one night hooked up at Baltic Wharf a few weeks ago.

It’s a German van with German gas fittings. Do I need an adaptor to fit French gas bottles? If so, does anyone know what I need, or where to get it? And where should I buy bottled gas from, ideally 5kg or 6kg if it’ll fit?

I’ll initially be getting Brittany Ferries to Roscoff. I’ve checked and all the Caravan & Motorhome Club sites in Brittany are closed. Can anyone tell me what I need and how to check to find overnight stops such as Aires or campsites please?

Are there any suggestions for where to buy cassette toilet chemicals?

Do I need to have my actual driving license with me? I sent it for (age 70) renewal of C1 back in November and it hasn’t been returned yet. The van is under 3500kg but I thought it would be sensible to take the medical and hang on to C1 in case I need it for the future. After 3 months waiting for DVLA to return it maybe I shouldn’t have done.

What else have I forgotten?

Thanks in advance for any help.

"Action" discount stores are everywhere in France. They are a Dutch chain selling branded items at a fraction of the price. They sell a version of toilet K7 (Ka sept) blue for, i think, €3.99 for two litres.

It's a wigig so they don't always have it.

If you're in luck, whilst you're in there they may have restarted selling "Katjang pedis" which are unbelievably delicious spicy peanuts - buy both en abondance !!

 

[leann53]

A trick I was taught when driving in Europe as a young hgv driver was Always keep your right leg on the the near side of the road, kept me safe . That is of course your vehicle is UK spec . Happy and safe motoring funster,s

 

[Tony50]

To offer a basic checklist..
1. A driving license.
2. Insurance.
3.Health cover.
4.Breakdown kit (as required by visited countries law)
5.Communication device,that will work in visited countries.
6.Access to payment method (cash,card,bank transfer)
7. Spare wheel.
Unless I forgot anything (all to common nowadays)
The rest you can probably learn as you go ,it may cost extra time money & worry,but should be doable.
Forgot Maps or sat nav.
(and maybe a prayer mat )

You also need your original Registration document, we are in Spain now after travelling through France , never plan always found a place to stay Aire or campsite , but we try to get a place about 2 pm, happy hols.

 

[PlymBob]

Have you checked the status of your license, you can do this online on www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence and fill in your driving licence and national insurance numbers. Do it now, it could be that it has already been renewed and lost in post.
We have never had to show our licences in France but wouldn’t travel without as, Sod’s law will happen.

Thanks for that link dalspa, I just checked and licence valid from 29 Feb 2024, including C1. So probably in the post, or in the DVLA queueing system to eventually go in the post. I'll phone them tomorrow to try to get a better idea.

 

[Clive Mott]

Get refillable gas bottles, Alugas is lightest, Gaslow is prolific. Plus a,set of gas filling addaptors. then you are sorted.

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[Cardiffboy]

Don’t know if this has come up in any of the links, it’s been quite a few years since I drove in France but I believe you need to carry 2 warning triangles, a hi vis for each passenger and alcohol breath test kits ( not sure how many but they must be approved type) I believe Halfords sell them

 

[Nanniemate]

Thanks for that link dalspa, I just checked and licence valid from 29 Feb 2024, including C1. So probably in the post, or in the DVLA queueing system to eventually go in the post. I'll phone them tomorrow to try to get a better idea.

Usually if its on there its been dispatched
Was the 29th not Friday? You should get it in days post office reliant as long as you've got all the other stuff in order you can be in France ASAP

Please keep us posted don't expect everything to.be perfect the messups male the best stories

Have fun

 

[DandJ]

Don’t know if this has come up in any of the links, it’s been quite a few years since I drove in France but I believe you need to carry 2 warning triangles, a hi vis for each passenger and alcohol breath test kits ( not sure how many but they must be approved type) I believe Halfords sell them

You do not need to carry a breath kit anymore.
Re the fluo vests. They are required to be worn when exiting the vehicle at the roadside....so they must be within reach inside the vehicle, not in the boot or garage. (They really do make a lot of sense and cost peanuts)
According to the below, you only need 1 triangle (it is all we have, we live in France)

This is the French Govt site.

Compulsory car equipment: safety vest, triangle...

Yellow vest, triangle, windows, tires, license plates... What does the traffic code say about the mandatory equipment of a car (VP)? Can you be fined if an accessory is missing or in poor condition? This page tells you what you need to know about mandatory equipment.

www.service-public.fr

 

[Dorset Diver]

Somewhere on this fantastic forum site is a check list for everything. Worth a look.

 

[Gordy29]

I’ve just purchased a card and topped it up from home before the trip in may to France,very easy and efficient use a credit card that you don’t get any currency charges on

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[The Heid]

I know, I should have a trial run locally, but what with weather and one thing and another it never happened, and here we are off to France for the first time on Thursday. Thankfully, not the first time to France, but it is the first voyage in a campervan apart from one night hooked up at Baltic Wharf a few weeks ago.

It’s a German van with German gas fittings. Do I need an adaptor to fit French gas bottles? If so, does anyone know what I need, or where to get it? And where should I buy bottled gas from, ideally 5kg or 6kg if it’ll fit?

I’ll initially be getting Brittany Ferries to Roscoff. I’ve checked and all the Caravan & Motorhome Club sites in Brittany are closed. Can anyone tell me what I need and how to check to find overnight stops such as Aires or campsites please?

Are there any suggestions for where to buy cassette toilet chemicals?

Do I need to have my actual driving license with me? I sent it for (age 70) renewal of C1 back in November and it hasn’t been returned yet. The van is under 3500kg but I thought it would be sensible to take the medical and hang on to C1 in case I need it for the future. After 3 months waiting for DVLA to return it maybe I shouldn’t have done.

What else have I forgotten?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[The Heid]

As regards your driving license, I sent mine off for C1 renewal first week of October 23 and just got my new one Friday last week. Suggest you get onto them ASAP.
I contacted them several times as I thought it would be a straight forward one for one as there were no health issues etc. but it seems they were just bogged down. I must add that every time I called, the people were very polite and respectful but unable to help due to the circumstances at the time.

 

[KiltedCamper]

I know, I should have a trial run locally, but what with weather and one thing and another it never happened, and here we are off to France for the first time on Thursday. Thankfully, not the first time to France, but it is the first voyage in a campervan apart from one night hooked up at Baltic Wharf a few weeks ago.

It’s a German van with German gas fittings. Do I need an adaptor to fit French gas bottles? If so, does anyone know what I need, or where to get it? And where should I buy bottled gas from, ideally 5kg or 6kg if it’ll fit?

I’ll initially be getting Brittany Ferries to Roscoff. I’ve checked and all the Caravan & Motorhome Club sites in Brittany are closed. Can anyone tell me what I need and how to check to find overnight stops such as Aires or campsites please?

Are there any suggestions for where to buy cassette toilet chemicals?

Do I need to have my actual driving license with me? I sent it for (age 70) renewal of C1 back in November and it hasn’t been returned yet. The van is under 3500kg but I thought it would be sensible to take the medical and hang on to C1 in case I need it for the future. After 3 months waiting for DVLA to return it maybe I shouldn’t have done.

What else have I forgotten?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Re: driving licence. I had to hand back my licence due to a brain tumour.an operation unexpectedly returned my sight. I phoned the DVLA on the day I was passed as fit to drive. My licence arrived by post the next day. So phone them and explain your plight. I found the people I spoke to very helpful

 

[PlymBob]

I’ve just purchased a card and topped it up from home before the trip in may to France,very easy and efficient use a credit card that you don’t get any currency charges on

Can I ask what card are you talking about?

 

[Spriddler]

I applied online on 11th Jan for renewal of my licence (no C1 requirement) but not yet rec'd it. The DVLA website tells me it's 'In progress'.

Tracking website:

Track your driving licence application

Track your driving licence application if you've already made an online application

www.gov.uk

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[Tony50]

You do not need to carry a breath kit anymore.
Re the fluo vests. They are required to be worn when exiting the vehicle at the roadside....so they must be within reach inside the vehicle, not in the boot or garage. (They really do make a lot of sense and cost peanuts)
According to the below, you only need 1 triangle (it is all we have, we live in France)

This is the French Govt site.

Compulsory car equipment: safety vest, triangle...

Yellow vest, triangle, windows, tires, license plates... What does the traffic code say about the mandatory equipment of a car (VP)? Can you be fined if an accessory is missing or in poor condition? This page tells you what you need to know about mandatory equipment.

www.service-public.fr

I spoke to a Frenchman who works in the duty free on P&O, he said you only need one in your vehicle if you have been drinking!!??