La Basse Cour: B&B near Alencon, Normandy

Motorist Information

Information for Motorists from Abroad

We have welcomed motorists and bikers at "La Basse Cour" since 2005. Normandy and Pays de la Loire, like much of France, have mile upon mile of deserted, winding backroads which are a revelation for bikers and motorists used to overcrowded roads.

All parking is off-street and under our supervision, so secure parking is not an issue. Access from the main road is via an unmetalled driveway - it is hard-packed and solid. The main parking area in front of the barn has a stone chipping surface.

Driving in France / Riding in France

Information on
Road conditions and radar speed traps in France
Rules and regulations for motorists in France
Speed limits in France
Roadsigns in France
"Priorité-à-droite"
Fuel
Accidents
French car parts translated

Road Conditions and Speed Traps in France

It was announced in May 2011 that radar warning signs were gradually being removed, but the removal process was halted after a year. The official government site showing positions of fixed radars in France is no longer maintained since that date. In January 2012 it was announced that all radar warning devices are illegal in France, both passive (GPS) and active detectors.

Equipment which detected speed camera radar signals etc. had always been banned in France, but the new laws took matters a step further by banning SatNav warnings, too. The penalty is a fine of up to 1500€ and 6 licence points.

Websites continue to provide positional information for radar traps, both fixed and mobile. For instance, GPS-data-team.com is a user-maintained site for Speed Cameras in France downloadable to GPS. The fixed points are reliable (but there is no guarantee they are complete) but the mobile radar points often cry wolf as they indicate where speed camera patrols are known to operate, but the gendarmes are rarely there in reality. Mobile speed controls by gendarmes are becoming more frequent - if oncoming drivers flash headlights it may mean that gendarmes are stationed ahead of you.

Are there road problems on your route - the Bison Futé site will tell you.

Driving and Riding in France - Rules & Regulations

Download an English language version of some basic rules of Driving in France.

Drive on the right; obvious, but if used to driving/riding on the left, it is easy to forget at roundabouts, exits from side roads and from car parks/petrol stations (especially stations on the "wrong" side of the road).
Bikers - stick a piece of tape on your right hand mirror as a reminder!
Bikers must have headlights on at all times. From January 2013 hi-viz clothing will be mandatory.
It is compulsory for car drivers and passengers to wear a seat belt front and rear (if fitted)
Children up to 10 years of age must travel in rear and wear a seat belt or be strapped into a child seat.
Mobile phones must not be used while driving except with a "handsfree" kit. Fine 135€ as at January 2012.
All motorists must carry a reflective jacket within easy reach - this hi-viz jacket is to be worn in case of breakdown or accident when you get out of the car/off your bike. The jacket has to be carried within reach - not the boot. The requirement for reflective jackets in France has applied to motorbike riders since January 1 2016. At time of writing (2016) fines for not having a hi-viz jacket are just 11€ in case of a traffic control, rising to 135€ for not having one in case of an accident. It is NOT a requirement for passengers to have reflective jackets.
Drivers must carry a reflective triangle in their vehicle to be placed behind the car to warn other motorists in case of accident or breakdown should the vehicle hazard lights not function.
It is advisable to carry a spare bulb kit and know how to use it - it is NOT a legal requirement to carry spare bulbs in France, but you do risk having your vehicle immobilised or impounded if you are stopped with a faulty bulb and you can't change it on the spot.
On motorways (autoroutes) it is illegal to drive or park on the hard shoulder except in an emergency. From 2012 straying onto the hard shoulder, even clipping it for an instant, will also be subject to a fine of 135€.
You must be able to produce your driving licence, car/bike registration document and insurance certificate when asked by the Police, Douaniers (customs officials) or Gendarmes.
Driving licences issued by other EU countries, e.g. UK licences, are valid in France. Drivers/riders must carry this with them.
International Driving Licences accompanied by a valid foreign licence (non-EU or EEA) are valid in France for up to one year.
The minimum age in France to drive a car or ride a motorbike over 80cc is 18.
The minimum age to ride a scooter or motorbike under 80cc is 16.
There is NO legal requirement for car drivers to carry a fire extinguisher or first aid kit, whatever the shop assistant at the port or the man on the ferry tells you!

France Speed Limits

Speed limits are as follows unless otherwise signposted:

Autoroute (freeway/motorway): 130 kph and 110 kph in rain, 50kph when visibility is 50m or less. The MINIMUM speed unless you're in a backed-up line of slow moving traffic is 80kph.
Autoroute in urban areas: 110 kph and 100 kph in rain, 50kph when visibility is 50m or less.
Dual carriageways and single lanes separated from oncoming traffic by an island or crash barrier: 110 kph and 100 kph in rain
Single carriageways outside town/village limits: 80 kph (since 2019)
Built up areas (towns and villages): 50 kph
All roads when visibility is less than 50m (e.g. heavy fog): 50 kph

French Road Signs

Download the 160 commonest French road signs (meanings are in French)

French Road Signs	Most French road signs are the same as in the UK but here are some common road signs in France that are not so common in the UK.
	This sign warns of a speed trap camera zone ahead. Until 2011 they were found ahead of all fixed speed cameras as a warning to motorists, but a change in legislation meant many were removed in 2011-12 and replaced with interactive signs to indicate the speed of your vehicle (but not all of these give specific warning of radar traps). Then the removal process was halted, so that in some places the old warning signs are still in place whilst elsewhere you'll see interactive speed indicator boards. Having a radar detector in France is illegal and since 2012 GPS SatNav radar position warnings are also illegal (see above).
	Stop really does mean stop. These are commonly used as a cheap "traffic calming" measure and so may appear in unexpected places. Unless you're 100% sure there are no gendarmes in sight (make sure there are none hiding behind a bus shelter or sitting in a car up ahead) bikers should stop and put both feet down before moving off again and cars should stop for a couple of seconds. Failure to do so will result in a hefty on-the-spot fine - no excuses, even though you can probably see for miles that there is nothing else approaching the junction and there is no real need to stop.
Parking	Roadside parking more than 24 hours in the same place is forbidden (unless it is a long-term parking facility). If you do, your car may be towed away.
Disabled parking	Cars parked in disabled spaces must display a blue GIG - GIC parking badge.
	Free parking bays or free car park. There is usually a separate bay for motorbikes.
	Blue and red sign indicates you are entering a "No Parking" zone. The same in black and white with a bar through indicates you're leaving said zone. If dates are shown in the top right of the sign, then parking IS NOT allowed on those dates but is allowed on other dates. If dates are shown in both the top right and bottom left of the sign, it means that parking is allowed on the odd-numbered side of the road for the first half of the month but is not allowed on the even-numbered side, and the reverse in the second half of the month. Nice and simple. Not.
	Paying parking zone - could be meters or pay and display machines. Usually there will be some non-paying bays for motorbikes. Parking is often free between 12.00pm and 14.00pm and after 19.00pm until 8.00am but check on the ticket machine / meter.
	Limited free parking zone, usually for 1-2 hours. Cars need to display on their dashboard a disc which indicates what time the car arrived. A "disque de stationnement" can be bought for a couple of euros in many a bar/tabac and most supermarkets with a motorist section.
	These blue signs are found inside the zones indicated above. They mark the actual parking bays or car parks. Slang for a parking ticket is a "prune".
	Coming to a junction, the main road on which you are travelling bears left ahead.
	Autoroute speed limits. Normally 130kph (about 80mph) in dry weather, 110kph (about 70mph) in wet weather, in which case dipped lights should also be turned on.
	Usually seen at the entrance to a tunnel - turn your lights on.
	Usually seen at the exit from a tunnel - a reminder that you can turn your lights off if you wish.
	Layby ahead.
	Rest area on motorway with drinks available - possibly also a cafeteria for snacks, but not guaranteed.
	Whereas this motorway rest area has a proper restaurant.
	24 hour petrol, payment by credit card - these are sometimes found at péage exits. Some péage exits also have toilets next to a parking area. Otherwise there's always the side of the road, French-style.
	As you come on to a toll paying (péage) section of road - mainly motorway - you will see this sign if you need to take a ticket. Most toll roads require you to take a ticket, unless it is a section of toll road with a fixed fee as you exit.
	This marks an automated Télépéage lane on a toll road. Some lanes are for télépéage "badge" or bleeper holders only - don't go in these lanes unless you have a bleeper or other signs indicate that they also take cash or credit cards.
	Pay attendant in booth at exit from toll road. Cash or credit card.
	Pay by credit card at machine at exit from toll road. You can use these with UK credit cards without problem and they are usually quicker than queueing at the pay booths at busy times. Stick your ticket in and then your credit card - the machine will charge the appropriate amount and spit the card back out. Press button to request a receipt if you need it.
	"Priorité à Droite" is a VERY important driving rule in France. Knowing this rule can be a LIFE SAVER. Please read on and check out the following road signs to avoid catastrophe! Basically, even if you're on a main road you do not necessarily have right of way - there are many "Priorité à Droite" junctions where you have to give way to traffic coming from the right, whether in town, village or on country roads. THE RULE: If there is no roadsign or road marking to indicate otherwise, traffic coming from the right always has priority unless it is joining from a car park or a private road. When three or four cars reach such a junction from different roads at the same time, you'll often see everyone stop, unsure what to do. Black streaks of rubber at the approach to a junction are another sign of "P-à-D" - BEWARE!!! Proceed with caution. Apart from the usual "Give Way" and "Stop" signs and road markings, the following special signs are used specifically in relation to "Priorité-à-droite" in France.
	Usually seen on a main road as you leave a town or village, this yellow diamond means that the main road has priority and that all traffic joining from side roads must give way.
	End of priority zone. Traffic from the right has priority unless there are road signs/markings which indicate otherwise.
	You are coming to a junction where priority to the right applies - give way to the right.
	You are coming to a junction where you have priority.
	Viewpoint - usually there is some parking space nearby. If not in a hurry, this is often a good spot to stop and stretch legs - take note, you may sometimes have a way to walk to reach the viewpoint. Most give a panorama over the countryside/down a valley etc., whilst some have an orientation table indicating places within view.

Drinking and Driving in France - alcohol limits

It's sometimes suggested that the French are relaxed about drink driving - but the truth is that in general the police operate a policy of zero tolerance towards drink driving.

In 2012 a law came in requiring bikers and car drivers to carry an approved breathalyser (alcotest or ethylotest), unused and in its original wrapping. The theory was that if you'd had a drink then you would test yourself before driving. Some sites advise you that you need two breathalysers (so that you have one unused after if you have used one) but that is not the case as long as you don't use one!

In fact, however, there are no penalties if you don't have an alcohol test on you - the law is not enforced and you won't be arrested, get penalty points or be fined for not having one. That said, if you feel more comfortable having one then they cost just a euro or two in supermarkets, pharmacies and motorist shops. Be aware that breathalysers are date limited - this year's wont be any good next year. A rule of thumb

The best advice is not to drink alcohol at all when driving. However, as a rule of thumb, and in no way to be taken as a recommendation or legal advice, an average (12 stone) man's limit in France is often quoted as two SMALL glasses of the type SERVED IN BARS AND RESTAURANTS AS STANDARD MEASURES. Those served in homes are generally much larger.

Penalties

Between 0.5g and 0.8g of alcohol per litre of blood, you are committing a "violation of the 4th class" with a fine of 135€.

Over 0.8g of alcohol per litre of blood, you will appear in court. The court may order a fine of up to 4500€, two years imprisonment, and a licence suspension up to three years.

Fuel: Petrol and Diesel in France

Petrol stations sell diesel (gazole or gasoil, usually yellow or black handles) and unleaded petrol in 95 and "Super" 98 octane (essence sans plomb, usually green or blue handles) . Many also stock LPG (GPL in French) and some also stock bioethanol and paraffin. Make sure you know what you're putting in the tank! Pumps marked 24/24 are USUALLY credit card only, requiring a chip-and-pin card.

Traffic Accidents in France

In the event of an accident call the police (Tel. 17). Both parties must both fill in an accident report form (constat à l'amiable) and exchange insurance details; get a blue constat à l'amiable form from your insurer before you leave, fill in your details before you have an accident and keep it to hand. Take photos if you can at the scene.

Common car parts in French

Accident form to complete in case of an accident - Constat aimable
Airbag - Airbag
Antifreeze - Liquide de refroidissement
Fog light - Feux de brouillard
Battery - Batterie
Bodywork - Carrossage
Boot - Coffre
Brake lights - Feux stop
Brake fluid - Liquide de freins
Bulb - Ampoule
Bumper - Pare-choc
Centralized locking - Fermeture centralisée
Cruise control - Régulateur de vitesse
Dashboard - Tableau de bord
Defroster - Dégivrage
Demist - Désembuage
Diesel fuel - Gazole
Diesel motor - Diesel
Driver window - Vitre conducteur
Engine oil - Huile moteur
Fender - Garde-boue
Front - Avant
Fuse box - Boite à fusibles
Halogène bulb - Ampoule halogène
Hazard lights - Feux de détresse
Headrest - Appui-tête
Headlight - Feu de route or Phare
Horn - Klaxon
Indicator - Clignotant
Insurance certificate - Certificat d'assurance
Petrol - Essence
License plate - Plaque d'immatriculation
Lights - Lumières
Liquid propane gas - GPL
Low beams - Feux de croisement
Oil pressure - Pression d'huile
Parking lights - Feux de position or Feu de stationnement
Petrol - Essence
Power steering liquid - Liquide d'assistance de direction
Rear - Arrière
Rear view mirror - Rétroviseur
Registration card - Certificat d'immatriculation
Reversing light - Feux de recul
Seat - Siège
Seat belt - Ceinture de sécurité
Sidelight - Feu de position or Feu de stationnement
Spare wheel - Roue de secours
Steering wheel - Volant
Sunvisor - Pare-soleil
Tank - Réservoir
Tyre - Pneumatique or Pneu
Tyre Wall - Flanc extérieur pneu
Trunk - Coffre
Valve - Pape
Ventilation - Aération
Wing - Garde-boue
Window - Fenêtre
Windscreen - Pare-brise
Windscreen washer liquid - Liquide lave glace
Windscreen wiper - Balai essuie-glace