Driving France

therattler

Hi Folks. I'm going to France for the 1st time and will be driving from Roscoff to La Point St. Gilles, in Benodet. Quite anxious about not only finding my way there but driving on the right hand side for the 1st time also so was hoping to get some feedback from anyone who has done this journey. How the drive / roads are and a realistic travel time?? (It seems to vary from 1.5 to 2.5 hours online).

Any feedback would be a great help & much appreciated!

Hay_man

Are you bringing your Irish car over or hiring out a French car?

therattler

We're taking our own car...

P. Breathnach

Lots of people are going to tell you that it's easy to adapt, and I'm one of those.

Roscoff is a good place to start, because the roads in that part of Brittany are fairly quiet. Some points:
- Pay particular attention when turning left at intersections (you will be crossing in the face of oncoming traffic, like turning right at home).
- Going the other way around a roundabout (and there are plenty of them in France) feels very odd the first few times.
- Overtaking is a bit more difficult, as you need to move out further to get a view of the road (a front-seat passenger who also drives, and knows your driving style, can be very helpful).
- Run a little mantra in your head "Drive on the right; drive on the right" every time you sit into the driver's seat. You're not going to get it wrong coming off the ferry; you are in more danger of slipping up when you resume driving after something like a coffee break.
- Avoid driving after dark unless you get headlight adaptors.

French signposting is generally good. Again, the right passenger can ease the burden of navigation.

When you get back to Ireland, you will be surprised to find that you have to make almost as much effort to re-adapt to driving on the left.

Get plenty of wine, but don't overload the car.

When are you going? I'm Roscoff-bound in September.

Happy Campers x 5

Hi Op,
We've been to le point st gilles twice now and its a gem, easy to get to and everything. 2 hrs max from roscoff and I understand your fear about the driving. Don't worry the only problem I had was when I got home trying to stay on the left. Your going to a different country and it's nothing like driving here. everything is well sign posted and you are not into a roundabout before you see the signs, you get plenty advance warning. Sat nav is brilliant if you have 1 but AA route planner do a good job with it as well, so printing the route plan off and a good co-driver will do. Driving on the right I found just fell into place and don't worry to much about it. When you get into Benodet drive into the town until you reach the water and turn left drive straight over for a mile and it gets narrow and becomes a 1 way keep going to a round about and tis on your left. Enjoy tis brill

therattler

Thanks a mill P. Breathnach. That's put me at ease somewhat. Think once Im confident with my directions that Will help too. We're sailing 31 August. It's our 1st family holiday and 1st time on a boat so a new experience all round!

Thanks Happy Campers. The road signs was one of the things I was anxious about. Sure we'll give it a bash.

zagmund

My one hint is (assuming it's you who is driving) to always make sure the kerb is on your side of the car.

Every time you pull off, look out the window and confirm the kerb is on your side. If the kerb is beside your passenger then you've got it wrong.

It's a quick 2 second check which is easy to remember.

z

P. Breathnach

therattler wrote: »

... We're sailing 31 August....

I'll be on the sailing after yours. I'll keep an eye out for a broken Irish-registered car and distressed family as I exit Roscoff.

Food on the boat is a bit pricey. Some people bring their own.

My Garmin Nuvi satnav, bought in Ireland, covers Brittany very well. It might be worth seeing if you can borrow one.

therattler

My Garmin Nuvi satnav, bought in Ireland, covers Brittany very well. It might be worth seeing if you can borrow one.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, one of the lads i work with is giving me a loan of his. Not sure what make but it will do. I'll just have it as back up cause I'm a bit old school...prefer to study the map and know where I'm going.

Lookin forward to it now.

Decoda

therattler wrote: »

My Garmin Nuvi satnav, bought in Ireland, covers Brittany very well. It might be worth seeing if you can borrow one.

Yeah, one of the lads i work with is giving me a loan of his. Not sure what make but it will do. I'll just have it as back up cause I'm a bit old school...prefer to study the map and know where I'm going.

Lookin forward to it now.[/QUOTE]

Hi,

Its always great to have a satnav. First thing I do when I reach my destination in France is to tell the sat nav that the campsite / hotel is "home". Then I can set off on our days out and not worry about how to get home. Once you're finished sight seeing for the day, just tell the satnav to "take me home". Driving just takes some getting used to. I always find shopping centre car parks etc the worst because you reverse out of a space and take off down the car park but there's no arrows etc and I always find myself having to remember to switch to the right.

Dont forget to take all of the required gear for your car, high vis vest, breathlyser, spare bulbs, warning triangle etc. and also to place beam adjusters on your headlights.

Regarding the boat, food is expensive and it pays to come prepared, try bringing on snacks, drinks etc. some people even bring on cooler boxes with food for breakfast etc.

Enjoy your holiday and when you come back you will wonder what all of the fuss was about.

DC