www.SoftSeatTravel.com
Driving in France, Car Rental, Luggage Space, Standard Shift
Driving in France:
Speed Limits
Speed limits in Europe
are by KPH: Kilometers
per hour and are clearly
marked along most
roads in France, often
with flashing lights.          
Berms,or speed bumps
are used to slow traffic
but are not too large
and  in limited numbers.
They are  marked by a
tent like symbol that will
look like the symbol for
a campsite.
Speed limits are clearly posted as above; this is
80.77 mph when clear, 68.35 in the rain  130
Kilometers per hour on a clear day 110 in the rain,
speed limits through villages will be greatly reduced
and enforced
Car Rental, Luggage Space
When shopping for a rental car, you should consider your need for luggage space
when determining size of the vehicle. Some agencies suggest the number of
bags that each model can carry,
Shop on line well ahead of your trip.
Another important consideration will be your ability to drive a standard shift
vehicle.  You will find Highway driving is just like highway travel in the US with toll
tickets, rest areas, food and gas stops all being very similar but hill villages will
require skill with the clutch in standard shift vehicles.
Familiarity with the International  Driving Symbols would help. A map legend will
have explanations of  the various  symbols and road sign logos.
Car Rental,  Luggage Space, Standard Shift, International Traffic Symbols
Car Rental and
Driving France's
highways is very
similar to Rental and
travel in the US  or
Canada with high
speed toll roads, and
rest areas/gas stops.
In France the Car
Rental, the
vehicles, and the
Traffic Laws,  
vary little from
the US or Canada.
International
Traffic Symbols
are graphic rather
than language
based as in the US
An exit sign showing the route number of the
feeder road with the towns listed.  The speed
limit is listed on a white sign with a red circle: 90
KM per hour or about 56 miles per
Car Rental can be booked
on  line through Auto
Europe.  They broker the
best deal with agencies
located in all major cities
and at TGV train stations in
the smaller cities like
Avignon
Standard shift rental will be the
least expensive but require skill with
the clutch in the hillside villages.
Driving in France is done on the
right side and is  similar to the
USA, Canada, and Mexico
Highway Driving in France differs little from US, Canada, and Mexico
Marked Speed Limits similar Traffic Laws, Rest stops for Gassing up.
On side roads The Rotary will display directions to villages and cities
Return the rental car with an empty tank?  See Policy details
Driving to Provence: Rental cars are available at CDG Airport and high speed toll roads will speed you to
Provence.  A one day trip is possible but a two day trip will allow sightseeing on the way,
Do You need an International Driving Permit to drive
in Europe.
In France and Italy you can rent a car and do not
need to show an International Permit, only your
drivers license    Italian law requires that See Article
No Passing
for
commercial
vehicles
No
Passing
zone ends
Rotary
with yield
to traffic in
rotary
Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns.  Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
Information for those renting a vehicle in Provence
Save
A diesel vehicle will be less expensive to run.
When gassing.   Note that fuel will be less expensive at the local filling station  or Market in the small town
or village than on the highway.  Diesel is called diesel or Gazole in France.
Custom Search
If you are flying into France you could Start saving on Air Travel by Parking your Car for two 'weeks
Free after one night Lodging in Airport Hotels in 60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide.
Some of the hotels in the program offer 24 hour shuttles to the airport. The early shuttle from the hotel to the
airline terminal will allow you to book an early flight and save money on the airfare. Two weeks of free parking
offsets the cost of the hotel room and you do not need to arrange for a limo from your home to the airport.
Most hotels offer two weeks free parking with one night stay, some three weeks or a reasonable day rate for
extra days. . Cruise passengers can take advantage of these deals also at some hotels.   See Free Airport
Parking link above.
Custom Search