Driving in France

[Thingsthatgo]

We are going on holiday to France this year, first time abroad for a couple of years, and I cannot wait.
We haven't driven in France for a long time, and I know there are things we need, and I could do with a checklist. I know we need a breathalyser, warning triangle... what else?
I'm guessing the E111 is no more! Do we have any reciprocal agreement re healthcare? We will obviously get insurance anyway.
Thank you all for your help

I know you need 2 pairs of glasses if you wear them for driving so that, if you break a pair, you have a spare pair to wear.

I’ve never driven in France. I don’t know why I know this.

If you still have a valid E111 you can still use it. If not there is a replacement health card but I'm not sure of the name.
If you drive in Paris or some other major cities you need an environmental certificate for your car.
I think you might need to carry spare bulbs as well as the warning triangle.
You will probably have to pay for a green card for your car insurance to include driving in EU countries ...it is a supplement for the number of days you are away.
Watch for speed limits and cameras on A roads as some speed limits have been reduced in recent years. If driving on the motorway the speed limit is 20km an hour less when it is raining.
If you are planning regular trips it might be worth getting a Sanef telepeage tag to skip the queues at motorway tolls.
I recommend Novotels or Ibis Styles for en route stops.
We try and avoid driving on the motorways on saturdays in high season..or get up very early to avoid being stuck in traffic

This has replaced the EHIC card

Hi vis jacktes/vests

Jackets! Fire extinguisher

Halfords used to do a kit with all the bits and pieces you need for driving in France - bulbs, breathalyser, hiviz vest, red triangle etc. (No idea if they still do but worth checking)

This is all so helpful, thank you. Seems a lot! We will be driving an old vw van, which will not pass any environmental certification probably!

When driving 'sur le continent', I wear a single glove on my right hand, as a constant reminder of which side of the road I should be on.

Watch out for the 'priorité à droite' (sometimes marked with a black cross on warning sign, sometimes unmarked but you know from the absence of road markings).

Check if your route has tolls on it.

Also, don't forget that they have two different speed limits - a lower speed limit for when it's raining or poor weather. And the French traffic police are red hot about making sure drivers observe these! Friends of mine were caught, and then escorted to a nearby cashpoint to take money out to pay their fine.

Don't forget to aim your headlight beam the other way so you don't dazzle oncoming traffic. You can either get the stickers that go on the headlights, or your car may change the beam electronically.

Hi viz jackets for everyone in the vehicle, that must be accessible from inside the vehicle and out in before you get out of the car (so don't keep them in the boot).

Read up on and understand 'Priority a droite'.

Spare bulbs, warning triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher etc. I don't think breathalysers are legally required but just recommended.

You may find it useful to change your sat nav into km instead of miles as French road signs are in km.

If you're using lots of toll roads consider a toll tag so you don't have to worry about paying at each toll.

@BIWI

This has replaced the EHIC card

This is a very handy thread.

I've just applied for the healthcare linked by BIWI. It took a couple of mins to complete.

I must remember to add European breakdown cover to our policy.

Make sure your car is covered by your insurance to take to France - we had been a few times before checking and discovered we only had 3rd party insurance. Your insurance company can provide you with a 'green card' to demonstrate insurance (at a cost). Breakdown cover is recommended. Take your V5 as well, as proof of vehicle ownership.

As others have said, you need a hi-vis jacket inside the car for each passenger. Warning triangle, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, spare bulbs, UK (not GB) sticker and headlamp deflectors. You don't need an international driving licence as long as you have a UK photo licence. If you're using tolls, a toll-tag is useful as it gets you through the priority lane. Be vigilant with speed limits - it's now maximum 80kmh on single carriageway roads and the gendarmes enforce it.

Also be aware if your car has an EU marker on the licence plate you'll need to cover it or replace the plates (you can get replacements for about £25)
We are replacing ours with UK ones so we don't need a sticker on the bumper
If you check on the AA website they have a very useful list of needs per country.

This is all so useful, thank you. I think we might have to extend our holiday to ensure we get value for money for all the stuff we need to buy!