For holidays in excess
of two weeks, driving can be significantly cheaper than other options,
when including Car Hire etc. The added benefit is plenty of space for
the Rioja, spirits and cigarettes that are all substantially cheaper
in Spain. There are three main routes from the Channel Ports to the
Costa Brava and Catalonia:
1: The middle route via Paris & the A71 (toll cost c£64 - (c€74)
distance c750 miles 10 hours). (Long toll-free sections on the
autoroutes)
2: Western Route via Paris & Limoges (toll cost c £110 (c€126)
- distance c796 miles 11½ hours)
3: Eastern Route via Beaune, avoiding Paris (toll cost c £100 (c€114)
- distance c785 miles 11¾ hours)
Finding a route:
Various companies offer a free door-to door mapping service -
favourites being
The
AA and viaMichelin.com.
The AA's site does not recognise Canyelles Petites or Almadraba, so
select Roses as the destination and for the final part of the trip ask
the property owner for directions or get a local map using
Via Michelin.
For an overview of the route, visit
GoogleMaps.
Toll roads are quick and uncrowded.
Click
here for tips on Saving on Petrol Costs and Improving Petrol
Consumption
French Autoroutes:
Most
of the autoroutes are covered by tolls, and the easiest way to pay is
by credit card (English cards are accepted). The speed limit (130kph,
or 110kph when wet) is vigorously enforced (particularly on the final
section towards Calais on the return trip) and spot fines are payable
with driving licence confiscation for travelling 25kph above the
limit. Vehicles towing trailers with combination gross weight over
3.5t are limited to 110kph and overseas drivers must have held a full
licence for at least 2 years. The strict drink-driving law is 0.25
milligrams of alcohol per litre of blood, compared to 0.4 in the UK.
Headlamp converters are compulsory and GB stickers are required for UK
drivers unless the vehicle displays Euro-plates with national
identifier. In France, a warning triangle must be carried, and a
yellow reflective jacket for every person must also be kept within the
car (not the boot). In Spain 2 warning triangles are required plus
one reflective yellow jacket.
| Be
aware that in France there are now over a thousand fixed speed
cameras on Autoroutes alone. Budget overnight accommodation:  There are many hotel groups which good-value motels just off the auto routes - Accor Hotels are the major provider in this field, offering a reduction of up to 60% off all brands from budget to luxury (Etap Hotel, Formule 1, All Seasons, Ibis, Adagio, Suitehotel, Mercure, Novotel, Pullman, Sofitel, Lucien Barrière). Room rates are from £35 per room per night. Evening Dining: If using such overnight accommodation, there may be an Arcotel Restaurant within walking distance. Although primarily aimed at the long-distance lorry drivers, forget any preconceptions about greasy food and dubious customers. A buffet starter, choice of basic main courses, buffet sweet course, cheese and wine is available for around £10. Dishes include oysters, selections of local pates, cold meats, salads etc, and the drivers are the friendliest and most polite you can find. The speed limits stated above were those current at the time of writing and last review. Check with road signs on the exits of the ports to check the speed limits currently in force.
|
| Tip
1: If travelling on a budget - there are various sections in France where A roads run parallel to the autoroute, have light traffic and are, of course, free. |
| Tip 2: Some drivers, notably older French, still believe that 'Give way to the right' applies in every situation, including roundabouts. This results in their travelling in the outside (right hand) lane, even if they are turning left! |