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Original poster

5 hour drive in France, 2 young DC, WWYD regarding journey?

44 replies

clara10 · 01/06/2011 14:00

I mean what have you done?

DC are 2.9 and 8 months. We are close to Dover and are taking the ferry.
What is the best time to arrive in France bearing in mind we have a 5 hour straight drive, more inc stops? All options available regarding driving at night as we both drive, though need to check into Keycamp on arrival so sociable arrival time.

What time did you arrive in France and what time did you arrive on site?

Just trying to weigh up all options. Could arrive in France at 1am, drive through and get to site for 7am - best for DC but worst for us? Could arrive in France at 9am and get to site for 4pm - worst for DC but best for us? Or anything in between!

OP posts:

HarrogateMum · 09/06/2011 17:07

Sanef in the UK now selling tags by the way - see their UK website

HarrogateMum · 09/06/2011 17:08

ooops link didnt work, will try again.... www.saneftolling.co.uk

ChippyMinton · 09/06/2011 17:40

Thanks HarrogateMum. Do you know if the upfront costs are the same as using the French site?

HarrogateMum · 09/06/2011 17:45

I dont think you can buy on the French site anymore. This is what it says on the site re costs:

* a refundable security deposit of 20? (no TVA payable) for each Tag issued by sanef ("Tag Deposit");
* the annual management fee of 6? + TVA payable in advance; and
* a non-refundable application fee of 10? + TVA.

Total up front fee of 39.14? (including TVA) of which 20? is refundable when you return the tag.

Plus of course the cost of the tolls! Hope this helps!

ChippyMinton · 09/06/2011 17:52

Thank you. I think I'll get one. We are going the south of France, and it's pretty much motorway the whole way.

loler · 09/06/2011 17:57

we did an 15 hour drive through to the south of france with dc 11 mnths, 3 and 5. left at 2am so they would sleep - hahahaha - they woke up 20 minutes into the journey so we all got there tired.

Following time we left about 6am - stuck dvds/cds on and for the first few hours we heard very little from them. Take lots of bribes and sweets for 5 hours of a journey won't kill them but will keep them quiet (although I guess the baby is a bit young for that!)

Portofino · 09/06/2011 18:34

Chippy, is it you that is off to La Carabasse this year? We're there from the 4th July I think. I have already promised to hang a fruitshoot off my decking If you spot me, feel free to pop by for wine!

Portofino · 09/06/2011 18:39

You can get the Liber-t tags from www.aprr.fr too - if your french is up to it!
I had a problem 2 years ago in that I spent all the money on my credit card and the payment bounced . They told me I would have to pay 150 euros guarantee before I could use it again.

I have just ordered a NEW one. Blatant cheating I guess. I have a nagging feeling now - though the order went through - about whether they won't send it, or the first time we try to use it, we'll be blocked, flashing lights will go off, and the gendarmes will be sent in to arrest me.....

ChippyMinton · 09/06/2011 20:30

Portofino. No, not me. I have been there though, in the memorable summer after A levels with a bunch of girlfriends!
I am off to Le Lavandou. I've been reading old threads and is it you that's been there before?

Portofino · 09/06/2011 20:46

Oh Le Lavandou is lovely! In my top five places to move to when I win the Lotto! You need to drive to the beaches at Gigaro and Cabasson (where the French president has his villa). Also worth going over the "top" - of the hills (scary roads) to Ramautelle, Gassin and St Tropez. L'Escalet beach is one of my faves.

HarrogateMum · 09/06/2011 22:09

POrtofino do you need a French bank account for that? I thought Uk residents (i.e someone who has a UK account only) couldn't buy the tags anymore , I know they used to be able to.

Portofino · 09/06/2011 22:26

I think via the www.aprr.fr site you just need to give your credit card details. We are in Belgium and it worked fine before. See no difference with the UK.

ChippyMinton · 09/06/2011 23:12

will check out your suggestions if i can drag dh away from his beer fridge and sun lounger .our only plan is to drive to st raphael and catch train to monaco to walk the f1 circuit then into italy for the dc to tick off another country.

Portofino · 10/06/2011 08:55

Harrogate, I just gave my credit card number.

HarrogateMum · 16/06/2011 14:18

DH tried it and it wouldnt accept unless he had a French bank account!

PfftTheMagicDragon · 16/06/2011 14:22

We have tried several times to do journeys of 4 hours or so at night, and it never works.

It's a good idea in theory - the children will sleep, you won't have to worry about them. But in practice - you will be knackered, they won't sleep properly.

ChippyMinton · 21/06/2011 09:28

Thanks for the Liber-T link. I've just ordered a tag.

Can't wait to see the cats-bum faces of the know-it-all Brits sitting in the toll queue as we sweep into the T lane...and get through it

ChippyMinton · 22/06/2011 16:19

Goodness, the tag arrived today, that's a quick service.

Alicool · 08/07/2011 08:24

We had one of these for trip in early June and it was great! Was slightly doubtful at first that it would work as promised but it did and we just sailed through each toll. Definitely worth getting especially if you're travelling in the summer holidays when I imagine the tolls are a lot busier.

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