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I was done for speeding four years ago and was escorted to the nearest town to collect cash from the ATM to pay my €80 on the spot fine!
I have just returned from my first driving holiday in France since then and its seems the French crackdown on speeding is beginning to have some effect.
I have been driving in France since 1978 and have been used to seeing traffic on the Autoroute barrelling along at lord alone knows what kind of speed, and having cars trying to overtake me whilst I am already passing other vehicles at well over 130kmh!
But this year I was astonished to find that for the first time I can remember that whilst I was ensuring I kept to either 130kmh or 110kmh I was NOT being left behind by the cars around me! Another unusual sight (for me at least!) was seeing Police patrol cars actually pulling cars over on the Autoroute (presumably for speeding or Alcohol control) in all my years driving in France I can honestly say I had never seen that before, another development I had not seen before were portable speed cameras set up on the hard shoulder of the Autoroute!
The French are getting tough on motorists my Advice DO NOT SPEED IN FRANCE!
I was also advised by a French friend that despite the French Govt making carrying a minimum of two breath test kits in the car mandatory from 1stJuly…… you cannot buy them in France! TAKE THEM WITH YOU and make doubly sure they are marked NF the UK ones are not calibrated correctly for the much lower French DD limit wich equates to one glass of wine! The best rule of thumb in France as in the UK if you’re driving don’t drink at all.
Written Jul 26, 2012
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Although the millions of rabble pass through Calais after travelling under the channel in the Eurotunnel, or over it in a ferry...there is a third way.
A tiny little airline called Lyddair run a daily service from Lydd in Kent to le Touquet (Paris on sea) near to Calais. With only 16 seats (one-class) in the little Trislander aircraft, it is almost like having a private aircraft. With fares from 150 pounds return, it isn't Ryanair, but it is far from extorniate.
Updated Jan 24, 2011
Website: www.lyddair.com
There are buses and trains between Calais and Wimereux but neither are particularly frequent especially at weekends.
Train times here - French needed to properly understand!
http://www.ter-sncf.com/Images/ligne%2012%20ok%20au%201602_tcm9-20546.pdf
Bus times here - LIGNE 44 - Again French essential to properly understand
http://www.colvert-littoral.com/horaires.php?etape=1
This is the only bus I know between Calais and Wimereux.
Trust that helps.
Written Mar 4, 2009
Website: http://www.colvert-littoral.com/horaires.php?etape=1
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Millions pass through this port every year, and a huge amount of freight traffic as well.
Although it was predicted that the Eurotunnel (see other tip) would signal the end of ferry services, a working duopoly has effectively continued.
P & O have sailings throughout the day, as do Sea France. You can usually get a deal for around 100 pounds (similar price to the tunnel, unsurprisngly), if you are taking the car, although special offers and day trips can work out to be alot less.
Competition is also kept reasonably keen by the advent of two newer companies on the nearby Dover - Bologne (speadferries) and Dover - Dunkerque (norfolkline) routes. There fares on these routes are often a good bit lower.
Updated Feb 16, 2006
Website: www.aferry.to
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The big hole in the ground between England and France is one the largest, costliest and most impressive pieces of major engineering completed in the 20th century. Some have called it one of the seven wonders of the modern age.
The project cost billions, and it is still very deeply in debt.
You can get you car across to England (or visa versa) for about 100 pounds, depending upon time of travel. There are also special offers from time-to-time.
You have to drive your car onto a train, before it zooms across in about 35 minutes. It all works very efficiently and smoothly.
Rather oddly, although foot passengers cannot use the service, those with bicycles can. You put the bike on the train and travel across ina minibus on the train. At 32 pounds return - that is good value.
Written Feb 16, 2006
Website: www.eurotunnel.com
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