Yes, 'sans plomb' is unleaded, one thing is DO NOT commit any traffic offence as the on the spot fine will be greater than the autoroute charges!

Cool, thanks for clearing that up.
Funnily enough my Used Bike Magazine has a section this month one what not to do in France as far as the law is concerned.

In fact, are there any other typical mistakes that people make that could have seriously consequences that people can think off (words or pictures that people missunderstand)?[/QUOTE]

Don't worry too much about the french language, take your phrase book and try - it's the most important thing, you will find most locals will try to help out and as for traveling alone it didn't do Ted Simon any harm!!!:cool4:

Enjoy your trip and keep the forum updated on anything interesting on your trip
cheers
SteveH

Sounds obvious but be very careful pulling out of petrol stations etc to remember what side of the road you should be on, and be aware of the priorite a droite rule on some roads (vehicles have priority joining from side road).

You mean people coming out of side roads onto the main have priority?

Also, thanks SteveH for your comments also.

"You mean people coming out of side roads onto the main have priority?"

Yes. If they're to your right (so not on the opposite side of the road). Scary eh?

But - and it's a big but - *only* where there are no markings to the contrary, which is rare. Generally it functions like UK, where the principal road has priority; side roads have a STOP sign or a solid white line indicating "give way". The priority to the right functions like a default setting - in the absence of all other indications, this is the case.

Places to be extra careful are:

1. Suburbs, where no one's gotten around to painting the lines on the road
2. Parking areas, ditto.
3. *Some* roundabouts - Paris for ex. Other roundabouts - exiting freeways etc - will be like the UK where priority is given to those on the roundabout. Look for signs.

The priority regime is pretty difficult. There are other indications, like junction signs and yellow diamonds that alter the heirarchy of priority further. But most French drivers don't understand them. Those who've recently passed their test ignore them.

So it's an even playing field. It works beause driving here has a very different spirit - the rules mean a whole lot less, (partly because they are so hard to operate). There is little expectation that others will adhere strictly to them.

In my town, Nantes, there are loads of roundabouts, and I don't think I have ever seen anyone use them "properly". Hell, they're even designed with major errors. People muddle through. Easy does it. It's less productive than UK (people don't "make progress" as efficiently) but I wouldn't call it dangerous. Don't assume; don't be brash; DO have a good look.

What this means in practice is that no one will pull out on you from the right as you're zipping along at 90 kilometres/h because they have priority. They'll have a whole other set of reasons :)

Simon

OK that clears a few things up *gulps*

Did'nt mean to put the wind up you there 'Terramax' , i have always found the french to be very courtious drivers with respect to the motorcyclist, much better than the uk in my opinion. One other thing, i believe the speed limits entering towns/villages etc begin from the sign with the town name on it in most cases.

This is correct and can catch you out. The town signs are a 30mph ( 50kmph) limit, unless there is a different number after the sign. When you leave a town, you will see the name crossed out on a sign. This is the end of the speed limit UNLESS there is a speed limit sign to the contrary.

Jut read through this thread all very helpful info guys, thanks! I'm a bit worried about going in October now, sounds like it may be a bit harder to find places to stay!

It's worth having a browse through here:

France (other than Alps, Pyrenees) - ::. UKGSer.com .::

Some pretty good info. Including a solution to the great Petrol Pumps Don't Take UK Credit Cards On A Sunday So I Am Stuck In The Middle Of Nowhere problem. Hurrah. :D

(I have sent you a PM)

Simon

the others are right regarding the priority to the right rule, it is the default setting in the absence of ALL other markings. If you're not in a built up area a priority to the right junction will be signalled in advance by a warning triangle roadsign, white triangle, red border with a big black "X" in the middle. That means that the next road / trail / goat track, joining from your right, has priority! :eek3:

hi all, mario here on my first post to this respected forum...

a question for Terramax, if you're still around: did you go on this trip afterall, on your own? i am heading out there end of september and this particular post is remarkably relevant. wondering if you have anything to share after all this time?

would be great to hear from you, or anyone else that have toured and camped or budgeted their way through france and on to spain and back to london...

cheers, mario.