Calais to paris

[Overcontemplating]

Hi, I'm considering driving from the uk to Paris. Single parent with disabled 10 year old. Is the calais to paris drive awful? Do refugees try to enter the cars? Is it safe? Do the police pull over cars regularly? I've over thought every scenario and going crazy. I'm also looking at the villages nature, is this an easy drive to disney? The reviews online aren't great, is there any other similar place that is better? Thank you

Driving in France is straight forward. Calais to Paris is around 3hrs. You'll need to make sure your car is road worthy. Have a look on the RAC website for what you need to have in the car.

I drive from the port to Paris fairly regularly. I’ve never been pulled by the police or had a refugee try to enter my car. The Disney hotels are okay and convenient though overpriced for what they offer.

When you've worked out your route, check if you need a crit air permit for your car. https://www.france.fr/en/paris/article/critair-anti-pollution-vehicle-sticker/amp

Thank you.
It just seems so daunting, there's loads to consider.
Yes I know the disney hotels are overpriced, that's why I was looking at the nature villages (center parcs) booking direct with then.
I hadn't even thought of a route, I was hoping the sat nav in the car would work! It would be calais to accommodation with a shop stop on the way and then a few days into disney.

You're way overthinking this. If you go by ferry or train, both are very safe and secure. Your sat nav will work (even Google maps on a phone works). As PP has said, the only thing I would be careful to check is the anti pollution sticker you need to get as many cities in France (including Paris) have far stricter emissions rules now than it used to have a few years ago.

We've done loads of driving round Europe including France and never had a problem.

I’ve driven it albeit some time ago and all perfectly ok. I doubt very much that you’ll see refugees but the chances I’d personally encountering them is probably about nil.

if you’re wanting to stay at villages natures (we have booked for this summer) then worth looking at booking via Disney as you get park tickets included, and magic hours and free parking at Disney . Not as many days as the Disney hotels though. So for 3 nights we got 2 days Disney tix.

I understand that the drive is very between VN and DLP. 10 mins max. But there are also buses if you don’t want to drive once there.

French motorways are a breeze compared to the M25. However, the péripherique around Paris can be difficult as it's very busy and joining traffic has right of way unless that has changed since I was last on it a few years ago. Rather like roundabouts in France used to be, you had to let traffic on when you were already on it.)
But if you're just going to Disney you probably won't need to get on it at all.
The worst drivers on the autoroutes, IME, are Brits in big 4x4s who get in the fast lane and expect to stay in it, probably doing well over 140 kph but not always. The arrogance is very noticeable and I cringe for them.
French drivers are usually much better at lane discipline on motorways than we are, they pull out to overtake and then get in again smartly. However, they tailgate more and definitely expect you to pull back in quickly if you've overtaken a slower vehicle.

I've never seen any refugees trying to get into cars at all, but a friend who had a big motorhome definitely experienced problems a couple of times.
In the days of the Calais/Coquelles 'jungle' you might see a group of men hanging around motorway sliproads or even on the hard shoulder but as I say they weren't looking to jump into family saloons etc

On the return journey you might fond unmanned aires are closed but the ones with petrol should bé ok.

I don't think you even need to carry the alcohol testers any longer but you definitely need the yellow hi-vis vests, one for every occupant, and for the driver and front seat passenger they cannot be on the back seat of the vehicle. You have to put them on before you get out of the car in the event of a breakdown, accident etc on the autoroute. We drape them over the front seats.
Check you've got European accident insurance on your motor policy and whether you will need a 'green card'. And depending on your car it might be worth taking out European breakdown insurance as well, if you have it already it might be UK only. It's doesn't cost much for a few days.
We've only ever been pulled over once in France by the police (and it was the CRS!) doing spot checks looking for someone in particular. They are not friendly.

See this just makes it feel so stressful. So much to consider. The thought of being pulled over by foreign police is terrifying as a woman alone with a disabled child

Why not get the Eurostar of the thought of driving terrifies you so much? I’ve driven in France plenty of times and never once been pulled over. Absolutely loads of Brits take that route. It’s easy. Disneyland is signposted from the motorway.

@Overcontemplating I’m so sorry that this has made you anxious.
Honestly, French motorways are generally far more pleasant to drive on than English ones. It’s also really unlikely you would be pulled over by the French police.
We have been driving in and through France very easily and safely for over 30 years and that was our only instance of being stopped.
And they weren’t unkind or threatening in any way, they were stern but that’s it.

The rest is just admin, to do on the phone or online before you go.
Have a look at the AA website for motoring abroad tips and info.
I’ve driven in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Germany and the USA and my favourite for road condition and comfort is France. It’s a very civilised country and unlike us they spend good money on infrastructure.

I did the drive from the Eurotunnel straight to Disneyland Paris with a then 4 yr old and 2 yr old.

Big box of books. Big box of snacks. Kids music CDs. Kids story CDs. Pre DVD players. Pre tablets and smartphones. Pre sat nav purchase.

We had a fantastic day. I then drove them home again. All in the same day. I got a bit lost on finding the road back to Calais, but it all turned out fine.

Read the AA website as to what you need in your car to be legal to drive on French roads. Get a short term European car insurance. Get a short term European breakdown cover.

Then get in your car with your child and drive your way to a fabulous time.

Wow all in a day! Well done

I driven dozens of times and ridden on the motorbike too, never seen refugees or police pulling people over.

To drive in France you do need to comply with their specific rules regarding carrying spare headlight bulbs, a warning triangle, reflective vest or jacket - check for exact latest rules, think they dropped the breathalyser.

Haven't stayed at that parc but driving is easy in France, just remember to allow for tolls if using the autoroute (the N roads are also good and free!)

I've driven to Paris a few times in the last few years with DC on my own. Without any difficulties you are worrying about - don't recall seeing any police, no immigrants, Sat nav worked a dream (shame I couldn't follow it but there are 2 motorways to Paris so you can't get too lost).

The one thing I struggled with was paying for the peage as the pay barriers are on the passenger side - they're contactless now, would your dc be able to manage to reach out the window and tap your card?

And please get European recovery - I paid a small fortune to get towed off the motorway last time, a costly mistake but would have been the same had I broken down in Dover too.

I've checked the details with my current breakdown and it says it includes a certain amount days of eu cover. I assumed this would be ok?

It's an easy drive from Calais to Paris - very straightforward. The motorways are far better than hours - smooth and no potholes, although you will have to pay to use them at the tolls. The payment will be on the passenger side of the car so suggest you get an Emovis tag so they lift automatically - you get billed at the end of the month. If you're going via the tunnel - which is dead easy - you can buy one via the website and they waive the initial fee: www.eurotunnel.com/uk/promotions/emovis-tag/

Ours - not hours!!

You could get the train the other side of the ferry if you don't want to drive.

We’ve done this drive many times and there’s only one junction I don’t like where you then drive on a two lane section but Google maps are great and keep you where you’re meant to be. In the last ten years we’ve gone out through Calais but come back through Dunkerque as I was a big anxious about the asylum seekers on the road back to Calais.

Your chances of being pulled over are basically zero, and even if there is a road block of some kind, unless by some chance the person they are looking for is a woman with a child who is known to be driving a UK-plated car, they will slow you down to about 20mph and then wave you on.

Various UK companies with an interest in scaring you into parting with your money to buy unnecessary car accessories at a 500% markup over the French retail price make a huge deal out driving on "the Continong" as if you're visiting some kind of police state, but it really isn't like that. The alcohol tests never actually became mandatory (they were proposed in about 2010 and dropped in about 2012 when Sarkozy, who had taken a €20 million bribe from the manufacturer to make them compulsory, lost the Presidency) but they were still on sale at the Channel Tunnel terminal in 2019, complete with scary picture of a large French gendarme with a képi and a whistle pulling over a Hard-Working British Family™.

Basically, it's all bollocks. You'll have a great time. Depending on the nature of DC's disability you might be able to get them to be in charge of handing over the debit card to the toll booth person, because it will be out the left-hand window.

I’ve been driving to Disney Paris regularly for about 29 yrs , I’ve never been stopped by the police and never had any issues . Just make sure that you have the bits you need ie hi viz jackets , warning triangle etc and have got insurance and break down cover . The drive is really simple especially if you use the toll road .