Is driving really that easy in France?

[jesuslovesyou]

We live in Manchester (for the last 4 months)we come from Deal so we know the ferries ect ect

I only passed my driving test 3 days before we moved to Manchester, my wife is so scared to come in the car on a long motorway journeys, even though we go on the motorway nearly every day for a short journey !

She is even more worried about me driving in France, so can anyone put her mind at rest?

[Guest]

When are you going and how much driving experience will you have by the time you go? I'd recommend getting in one decent journey beforehand, if only to put your mind at rest. Though i don't think the motorway will be the problem, that's the easyiest bit. Dh has missed exits before (when we have stayed outside DLP night before etc) and if you do miss a turning that's when you need to keep your cool & a stressed out passenger won't help.
But yes, the drive is very easy.

[coventry_family]

It's really easy! Nice roads and loads of road signs, having a passenger to help navigate does make it easier but I drove through the night to Spain and navigated right through France (including Paris) while she was asleep.
Getting to DLP is a piece of cake!

[JamelUK]

I'd highly reccommend a motorway driving lesson with an advanced driving instructor.

Your local test centre can give you details. Will last about an hour or 2, doesnt cost much and will give you heaps of confidence on roads with fast moving traffic.

It will help boost your confidence.

If you're driving from Manchester down to Folkestone and across on the Chunnel, then the drive is really very easy. Once across the channel, its a straight and easy run on a autoroute that is usally very quiet. The busiest part is only really near Charles De Gaulle airport and if you just keep an eye out you can just keep driving.

Near DLP the signing is often and clear and if you're making to stay there onsite, you shouldnt go wrong.

I always advise the following to anyone travelling to Paris though, whether youve done it 100's times before or not...

* Be sure you have everything that is legall required to drive through France. Check The AA website for the latest information

* Invest in European Breakdown Cover - this is NOT the same as travel insurance.
It means that in the event you do breakdown youll get a tow truck and roadside assistance via an English speaking operator. You can just buy this as a "bolt on" to your regular car breakdown for just the days youre travelling. Typically AA costs about £30 for a week.

* BUY A EUROPEAN MAP! Dont just rely on a SatNav! If it breaks, or you can't get satellite coverage due to low cloud or bad weather, youll need to use the old fashioned idea.

From Manchester, you can also drive to Hull and do the Hull->Zebrugge route. Journey time from Zeebrugge to DLP is almost the same as Calais to DLP give or take 10 mins. However, for a first trip Id reccomend the eurotunnel route via Folkestone as its a much easier run and avoids the Lille Ring road.

[Guest]

It's ok on the autoroutes. Just take your time.

[Floridasun]

Some good advice from jameluk Also check with your motor insurers to make sure there are no exclusions for inexperienced drivers. Driving in France to Dlp is a very easy drive. It will be much nicer than the uk part of your drive.

[Princess104]

Driving in France is pretty easy we go on the Eurotunnel and the until you get towards Paris the roads are pretty quite. From what I'v been told weekends are quiter on the roads not as many lorries just watch out for junctions, we always say 1 drives the other looks for the exits especially near Paris where you have to swap lanes. You can follow the route on goggle earth so you get some idea of junctions and turn offs. We tend to have a look just to familiarise ourselves. This will be our 4th year driving this year and part from last year when the Rugby was on in Paris and got stuck in traffic for over an 1 hour been quite smooth runs.
Other thing rather than drive all in 1 day have a stopover either before the ferry or just the other side so you feel refreshed to tackle the drive. We drive down from Sheffield and usually do going in 1 day then split the journey back and stay in Folkestone overnight then we get bit longer in Disney.

[stumpe]

Driving on the toll roads is so much easier than over here, lot less traffic and no were near as many lorry's.

I did the drive in march this year and was the 1st time driving in France and I loved it, nice signposting all the way and satnav gave the confidence if I got lost (back up satnav on phone just in case)

Could have done the 3hr ish drive on cruise control but kids wanted to stop, toll roads are very well maintained and not like the uk.

Once you get off the toll road it does get a lot busier but its not far to dlp so you will be fine :-)

Loads of places to stop on route to have a break.

[DIBBadmin]

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