Links
www.gps4touring.com
HELPFUL INFORMATION
DOCUMENTATION
You need to have a form E111 for health cover and bring your Vehicle Registration, Insurance and Driving Licence. The police do have the right to confiscate your bike if you are unable to prove it's yours. It is also advisable to take out European breakdown cover.
SPEED CAMERAS
Although not many fixed cameras they do exist. You will see large white signs with black pictures of different vehicles followed by radar lines. Hand held speed traps are also used and normally a on the spot fine will be given currently at 90€.
PRIORITY TO THE RIGHT
A yellow diamond shaped sign with a white border indicates that drivers on main roads have the right of way and don’t need to give way to the right. (Often seen when entering motorways)
When the sign reappears with a diagonal black line through it, then this changes back so you do have to give way to the right.(Often applied when in small village squares and on country roads where cars can pull out from junctions on the right in front of you on the main road.) Unless you see give way markings on the road at the junction or a give way sign be careful.
PETROL STATIONS
Motorway and dual carriageway stations are normally manned 24 hours. Supermarket and local stations are normally manned from 0900-1200hrs and 1400-1900hrs. 24hour pumps will take chip and pin cards, but otherwise will normally only take French bank cards so be aware.
CHANGING MONEY
You can use UK credit /debit cards in most cash machines in France to obtain your Euros. If you want to change Sterling into Euros it is more difficult, as this is only done at main Post Offices with a form of ID. Alternatively change it at the port or on the ferry.
RESTAURANTS
Many French restaurants only serve lunch from 1200-1400hrs so it is advisable to plan your days around this.