Twenty years long time ago, traffic just like here jag more cars on the road.Nice distance to rheims you soon get used to driving on the right if you have a passenger let them remind you driving on the right.Check up on roadsigns give way signs and on equal roads traffic has right of way from your right same as in holland.The service stations are good on the motorway there are lots of coffee lemonade etc machines cheaper than buying from the counter.I always find it more difficult coming back from the continent driving on the left and i have been driving here for thirty years.

Ones you are on the roundabout you have right of way same as in the uk.Or things have changed this year i was driving in france two months ago.Jag will realise when he turns left he goes anticlockwise nowhere else to go.

Spare bulb set is recommended but not compulsory.And if your car has hazard flashers the triangle is no longer compulsory.

I don't want to cause confusion over this, but the advice above re roundabouts doesn't tell the whole story.

There are actually TWO sets of roundabout rules and you can't always be absolutely sure which is in operation, so always look for the 'cedez passage' or 'vous n'avez pas le priorite' signs as you approach. That means the rule is the same as the UK and traffic already on the roundabout has priority. This rule generally applies to roundabouts outside urban areas.

HOWEVER, in towns and cities it is often the case that traffic joining the roundabout has priority and if you are on the roundabout you must give way to traffic entering.

But you can't totally rely on which system will be in operation - you have to have your wits about you. Even the French get very confused - stand by a town roundabout if you get a chance and watch the confusion.

And be very aware of the old 'priorite a droite' rule, which means traffic can often emerge from a side turning on your right with full priority. Bonkers, but it is still the case. This is more often the case in urban areas but it still applies in the countryside as well. Keep an eye out for the warning signs. A black and yellow lozenge shape means you have priority on that road, and one with a line through it means you don't. Also, on country roads, look out for a black on white 'X' sign in a red triangle, which means you don't have priority at the junction ahead EVEN IF YOU ARE ON THE MORE MAJOR ROAD. Most minor side roads are also marked with white posts topped with a red band so you can spot them as you approach.

Sorry to harp on about this, but I've been over here more than eight years, driven nearly 150k kilometres in France and I still get caught out from time to time.

Also, because French road rules still date from age of the bicycle, you are supposed, by law, to give 2 metres space when passing cyclists, which is why you will often see drivers in France slow right down, wait for opposing traffic to clear and then indicate left and pull out to pass someone on a bike, even if there seems to be plenty of room for everybody.

There's an AA site you can google for that gives the legal requirements for travelling in European countries.

Bon chance - and enjoy the trip!

Oh, and if you're driving a 'jag', give me a wave...

Edited by mike hannon on 27/08/2010 at 11:08

I agree about the tailgating happened to me a few times ignore it.You are right about the papers but your car has french numberplates you live in france.With a foreign number plate i would rather carry more than is needed in case they ask better be safe than sorry.

Just a question woodster you are in France at the moment,we are going to Lourdes in september 3 weeks from now.First stop in france rouen from calais.I am looking for the quickest route but i want to avoid Paris.I prever the toll roads from rouen leaving about half nine in the morning,we got untill eleven pm to arrive at our hotel.Any suggestion please for which route. Thanks.