Above all else make sure that you have the necessary papers (insurance and registration certificates - see the “Before You Leave” section).

Motorways

In comparison with other European countries (Germany, Belgium), the French motorway network is still not very extensive and, because of a long standing tradition of centralisation on Paris, the motorways basically radiate out from Paris and link up with the major regional capitals. Inter-regional links are still not very well developed.

Another disadvantage - and one worth taking into consideration - is that the French authorities decided that it should be the user who pays for the motorway infrastructure.

Consequently there is a toll charge on all French motorways which at times can be quite high (Alpes).

If travelling a long distance on the motorway, you will find:

• Lay-bys about every 10 kilometers with drinking water, toilets and picnic tables;
• Service stations every 30 to 40 kilometers where you can buy petrol and something to eat (restaurants or cafeterias);
• Motels every 100 kilometers or more (it is better to look for a hotel off the motorway for a night, however, as it will be less expensive!).

Petrol is more expensive on motorways than at service stations along normal roads - 6.80 Francs per litre for Super, 6.65Francs for unleaded petrol and 4.75 Francs for gazoil. . Similarly, the quality of catering is somewhat mediocre for the (high) price paid, to say nothing of the fact that restaurants and cafeterias along some motorways are absolutely inundated during major holiday periods!

So, if you are hungry and your car needs refuelling, why not leave the motorway for a while to get food and petrol? The small towns along the way are full of food shops and pleasant little restaurants and alongside the motorway or on the outskirts of town you will find hypermarkets (Auchan, Casino, Carrefour, Mammouth, etc.) where you can get petrol and do some shopping for a picnic or eat at a cafeteria... at a reasonable cost.

French Roads

There is no reason why you should take the motorway to drive around France.

If you really want to see France, you would even be better advised to steer clear of them! France is fortunate to have a very dense road network which is kept in a good state of repair. The main roads called “routes nationales” are all numbered with an “N”.

To map out a route

In case you don't know yet your itinerary or maybe you want to change your itinerary in order to visit the country, here is a good address : www.iti.fr.