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Driving in France, Gassing Up, Gas or Diesel
Highway Travel Service Stops
Highway driving is just like highway travel
in the US with toll tickets, rest areas, food
and gas stops all being very similar.
Keep small change handy in coins for the
automatic toll gates.
Car rentals will offer Diesel and gas
models;. Diesel fuel is readily available in
France and an economical option.
Environmental friendly fuels will cost a little
more; you can choose them at the pump in
a modern station.
Gassing Up, Highway Driving, International Traffic Symbols
Gasoline and Diesel
are readily available in
France.
Driving France's
highways is very similar
to travel in the US,
Canada, or Mexico with
high speed toll roads,
and rest areas/gas
stops.
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 hour
Car Rental Agencies will offer gas or Diesel
models with maps of Highway Routes.
Gassing Up
Gassing your vehicle is similar to the procedure in the US
including the self service feature, (Called Libre service,
Not free gas, just self service) automatic shut off pumps,
and the use of the credit card. Diesel is common in
France and called Gazole.
A modern service stop
on the highway will offer
fuel, rest rooms, a café,
and information
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
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 from your
home country and
perhaps your
passport. Italian law,
however, requires that
you carry an IDP as
does Spain, Portugal,
Greece, and several of
the former Soviet
Union countries. The
International driver's
permit is issued by
the American
Automobile
Association AAA in
the States and the
CAA in Canada. The
cost is $15 and not a
bad bit of insurance
against running into
trouble while driving in
Europe.
Caution on Fueling:
The Diesel is common in France, such that the pumps for
both gasoline and Diesel could be on the same Island.
While the nozzle for a diesel pump will not fit in the
smaller opening for gasoline, the gasoline nozzle could fit
into a diesel fill tube. If you have a diesel vehicle, be sure
to use diesel; called in France either Diesel or gazole
Save
A diesel vehicle will be less expensive to
run.
When gassing up, note that fuel will be
less expensive at the local filling
station in the small town or village than
on the highway.
Diesel is called diesel or Gazole in
France.
Gasoline will be
labeled Essence
sans Plomb (In this
example, unleaded
gasoline)
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,
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.
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.