Thanks guys.
I'm really looking forward to the trip now.
So much so that I might go over with my brother before the big trip to get a feel for the place

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To be able to say I have been to at least 10 European countries by April 2014 will be a great start to my dream of travelling the world.

I go to France regularly in my Discovery - it's a good vehicle for what you have in mind as the slightly higher driving position will give you a good all round view and it makes things a little easier when you're uncertain of quite how to do this turn or how this junction works.

Others have covered stuff about documents etc so no need to repeat it but below are a few points that might catch you out, at least initially.

It may seem obvious that you'll have to drive on the right but it means that all the road positioning skills and things like that which are second nature in the UK essentially have to be done backwards in France and that can require a bit of concentration until you get the hang of it. For me now I can flip from one system to the other pretty much automatically but it did take a few trips before that was the case and until that happened I had a "give way to everybody", just in case I'd got it wrong approach.

The other main problem with UK cars in France is that the driver is on the kerb side and that causes visibility problems when you want to overtake. OK, you're not going to be overtaking a huge amount in a Discovery but sooner or later you'll be stuck behind a truck or a tractor and unable to see what's coming as you can't pull out far enough. There's no answer to that other than safety first (unless you absolutely trust whoever is in the front passenger seat to act as your eyes), even if it does mean annoying the long queue of locals behind you who can see if the road is clear.

My other piece of advice would be to steer clear of Paris, at least until you're happy with driving in France. Like London, Parisian motorists don't take prisoners and trying to cope with the volume and density of traffic while being uncertain about where you're going (even with sat-nav) and uncertain about "reverse" driving doesn't sound like a holiday to me. Paris is a fabulous city and well worth a visit but find somewhere just outside and come in on the train. Your blood pressure will thank you!

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Beware a red triangular road sign with a black X in it. This can be slightly hidden on busy streets, or out in the open approaching a cross roads where you may have obviously the bigger road, but this means the traffic from the right has right of way so may just come out without a look or slowing down straight into your path. French traffic signs, highway code etc | Visit Normandy-Pays de la Loire

Some of the older folks still drive assuming give way to the right applies everywhere, so will pull onto roundabouts even with you heading for them because 30 years ago you should've given way to them

But France has fab roads, minimal traffic and loads of campsites, lovely place

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I'd agree with all this good advice. And add another item:

It used to be standard advice to take one of these with you:
European Accident Statement
Association of British Insurers - European Accident Statement
I usually did, but luckily never had need to use it.

Is it still something worth taking?

You can download and print one from here:
http://club-cwc-newcomers.web.cern.c...ident_Form.pdf
Although the ones you can get through the post, usually from your insurance Co, will be in triplicate self-carbon-copy, so you can hand out copies of the completed form if need be.

Also, it's a long time since I had small children. In those days the difference in attitude to children in places like cafes, restaurants and campsites, between England and France, was amazing.
They were actually welcomed and had attention paid to them!

Enjoy!

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town