hikeandeat

What has been your experience as a first timer driving on the Riviera and in Provence.

I'm nervous to try, but see the trains don't go to many of the small towns I'd like to visit. My concern is getting into heavy traffic on Corniche, getting lost, and, and, and.

Also, have you had good luck with Kemwel car rentalsl?

Thanks.

Thanks for sharing.

Michael

France has been cracking down on speeders, which means that the nervous can relax a little. Speed limits are similar to American speed limits except for the autoroute. Towns can be a little nerve wracking because the streets tend to be narrow and it id difficult to go around the block if you missed your turn since few streets are parallel. But the cheaper rentals are stick shift, which may be adding another worry.

Cameron

Can't help with southern France, but I've rented from Kemwel three times in Europe and never had a problem. I would recommend them highly.

Gretchen

It is not difficult at all. You just need to understand that you have to know the next town you will go through because at a roundabout it will say "direction Arles", not the route number. AutoEurope just can't be beat. Get the VERY detailed Michelin map of Provence and wherever.

JoeG

Provence tends to be best travelled by car IMHO. Public transportation is not very efficient and tends to waste a lot of time. Plus the driving is REALLY FUN! We thought it was very easy getting around. The learning curve is no different than going to any new place for the first time. You can buy the Michelin maps here at any good map store. Go for it!
JoeG

ira

Hi hike,

Practice driving a stick shift, get a good set of maps, get in the mind set that you are on vacation and it doesn't matter when you get there (or if you get there at all), and enjoy your trip.

hopscotch

ira has it so right — buy some good maps and get your attitude adjusted. No problem. I drove from Genova to Monaco on that cliff hanger noodle road. It's beautiful, and can be thrilling at 30 mph!

nytraveler

Don;t worry about getting lost. You wil get lost. Everyone gets lost - its part of the fun. But unless you're on the Autoroute and miss an exit it will take about 5 minutes to find your way back. Don;t overintellectualize this - its really easy - just do it.

Sue4

I rented a car and drove around Provence for 2 weeks in May, and loved it. I was solo, and nervous about doing it, but so glad I did. Yes, you will get lost, but as someone already said, it's very easy to find your way back. The round-a-bouts are great! I rented the car in Avignon, and didn't go on the Corniche (which I don't think I would do!). Yes, supposedly, the French have cracked down on speeding, but they still do it, and I never saw a policeman the whole time. The French (especially young male drivers) are very impatient on the road and come right up to your tail to pass, and this can be disconcerting. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to pull over and let them pass. And also lots of tourists who will drive the same way you do! Anyway, just try it, as you can see so much more with a car.

LynFrance

You will stay out of trouble if you remember to stay in the right lane unless
you are actually passing another car or cars. Unlike drivers in the U.S.who frequently drive in the left lane at the same speed as right lane traffic or even more slowly on occassion,Europeans do not hang out in the left lane on a 4 lane road. They use the left lane only for passing and will drive right up on your tail and blink their lights at you to get you out of the way if you are just moseying (?) along.

beaker

Hi Hikeandeat,

Driving is a great way to see Provence, and the only way to get to many of the small cities. If you drive on the autoroutes, understand you will see a car in your mirror coming up behind you in the left lane at 100+ MPH from 3 ks back when you go to pass that truck. You get used to the high speeds after awhile with the shortened response time. Have two cups of coffee and enjoy the adventure. Travel in the early am is best or during the lunch hour(s). I suggest a car with enough power to get out of the way as needed and a bit of size for safety. We drove for 30 days in Provence down to Rome and had no problems. Go for it.

twoflower

Why nervous? Are you from a left-side-of-the-road driving country, used to right-hand-drive cars? I am, and yes it is a bit stressful for the first hour or so.

lekker

I am also from a "left side of the road" country and were nervous the first time but it worked out very well - I am much more confident now. And as all the others said already - you will get lost - it is part of the fun! You might find new villages you never even planned to visit!

A word of warning - stay away from the small winding roads after dark - that can be nerve breaking. Otherwise you will just be fine - go for it!

AR

I agree with other posters. The French generally ignore speed limits though villages. A 50kph limit is treated with contempt. I don't suppose that the French would put up with the huge numbers of speed cameras like us Brits.
If you go there expecting the drivers to drive at you in the middle of the road, drive fast and overtake on blind bends - you'll be fine.
Actually, I find the French a lot better than the Italians, but there are a horrendous number of road deaths in France.
They'll also see that you are in a rental car by the number 60 at the end of the license plate. That'll give them extra incentive to scare you!!
Read Peter Mayle's "A Year in Provence" to try to understand the French driver.

KangaGirl

Would agree to getting the Michelin map book. Noticed around most Europe countries that the exit numbers along the motorways corresponded to the exit numbers on the map, that way you will know when your turnoff is coming up. I also found the all the motorways went around the cities/towns, with usually three choices of turnoffs - city south, city centre, or city north. Once we arrived at our destination, we would park the car and leave it there until we had to head to our next destination. While I navigated, my sister drove (she was 27y.o at the time). It isn't that bad!!