Too Old to Drive in Paris?
Mar 25th, 2011, 06:03 AM
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Too Old to Drive in Paris?
A couple of decades back, in our 20's, my newly betrothed and I rented a car in
Paris and proceeded to drive nearly all of France with it. It was a wonderful
time and something I'd like to -- at least partially -- replicate during our trip next
month. We arrive in Paris 4/21 and spend one night. We're scheduled to then leave to visit family in the Alsace region for a few days. I'd love to do this drive. My husband claims he "is too old" to drive in France; particularly Paris. Unless there is a new law in France that bans 40-somethings from the road, I fear my husband is just not quite as daring as he used to be. In that case, I'll do the driving. Am I wrong to think this is perfectly feasible? Or should I give in and take the train with the old man?
Appreciate any thoughts-suggestions.
Paris and proceeded to drive nearly all of France with it. It was a wonderful
time and something I'd like to -- at least partially -- replicate during our trip next
month. We arrive in Paris 4/21 and spend one night. We're scheduled to then leave to visit family in the Alsace region for a few days. I'd love to do this drive. My husband claims he "is too old" to drive in France; particularly Paris. Unless there is a new law in France that bans 40-somethings from the road, I fear my husband is just not quite as daring as he used to be. In that case, I'll do the driving. Am I wrong to think this is perfectly feasible? Or should I give in and take the train with the old man?
Appreciate any thoughts-suggestions.
Mar 25th, 2011, 06:29 AM
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Why would you even need to drive in Paris if you're only there for one night? You'll either need to drive OUT of Paris or take a train somewhere and rent a car and then drive in France.
I don't understand your husband's POV. I'm almost 60 and I have no problem driving in Paris or anywhere else, particularly in rural France, which is absolutely delightful to drive.
I don't understand your husband's POV. I'm almost 60 and I have no problem driving in Paris or anywhere else, particularly in rural France, which is absolutely delightful to drive.
Mar 25th, 2011, 06:31 AM
#3
A couple of decades ago would out you in your 40's...cut out the ageist BS...I'd say your ability to drive anywhere has as much to do with your overall outlook and degree of self-confidence and from what you've said so far, well...
Mar 25th, 2011, 07:40 AM
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Maybe it's none of my business, but do I detect a touch of "strategic incompetence" here? Perhaps he just doesn't fancy driving - it is quite a long way for a relatively short time, and the TGV goes to Strasbourg in a couple of hours.
Mar 25th, 2011, 09:12 AM
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I don't know where you're from, but most Americans in Paris discover that driving in France is easier than in the United States (not to mention the roads being in better condition).>
I have driven all over France for years and I strongly disagree with this statement - for me and many friends - it is not that driving in France is impossible or difficult but it is not as easy as driving in the U.S. as American drivers I find much much more patient than French drivers - and our roads are bigger in cities - we have bypasses usually even for small burgs but in France off the autoroutes you usually go right thru the heart of villages and this makes driving slower and a bit more tedious.
and in towns like Orleans where I drive frequently - a large town it is completely gridlocked much of the day - for a tourist to have to drive into that town and find parking can be a complete hassle - not so in the average American town this size - not at all comparable.
Seems like kerouac has not driven much in the U.S. IMO to say that. Again driving in France is easy enough but in no case would I say it is easier than in the U.S. as a blanket statement.
And my French friends and in-laws when they come here marvel at how patient American drivers are - exclaiming how impatient French drivers seem.
I have driven all over France for years and I strongly disagree with this statement - for me and many friends - it is not that driving in France is impossible or difficult but it is not as easy as driving in the U.S. as American drivers I find much much more patient than French drivers - and our roads are bigger in cities - we have bypasses usually even for small burgs but in France off the autoroutes you usually go right thru the heart of villages and this makes driving slower and a bit more tedious.
and in towns like Orleans where I drive frequently - a large town it is completely gridlocked much of the day - for a tourist to have to drive into that town and find parking can be a complete hassle - not so in the average American town this size - not at all comparable.
Seems like kerouac has not driven much in the U.S. IMO to say that. Again driving in France is easy enough but in no case would I say it is easier than in the U.S. as a blanket statement.
And my French friends and in-laws when they come here marvel at how patient American drivers are - exclaiming how impatient French drivers seem.
Mar 25th, 2011, 09:12 AM
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I don't know where you're from, but most Americans in Paris discover that driving in France is easier than in the United States (not to mention the roads being in better condition).>
I have driven all over France for years and I strongly disagree with this statement - for me and many friends - it is not that driving in France is impossible or difficult but it is not as easy as driving in the U.S. as American drivers I find much much more patient than French drivers - and our roads are bigger in cities - we have bypasses usually even for small burgs but in France off the autoroutes you usually go right thru the heart of villages and this makes driving slower and a bit more tedious.
and in towns like Orleans where I drive frequently - a large town it is completely gridlocked much of the day - for a tourist to have to drive into that town and find parking can be a complete hassle - not so in the average American town this size - not at all comparable.
Seems like kerouac has not driven much in the U.S. IMO to say that. Again driving in France is easy enough but in no case would I say it is easier than in the U.S. as a blanket statement.
And my French friends and in-laws when they come here marvel at how patient American drivers are - exclaiming how impatient French drivers seem.
I have driven all over France for years and I strongly disagree with this statement - for me and many friends - it is not that driving in France is impossible or difficult but it is not as easy as driving in the U.S. as American drivers I find much much more patient than French drivers - and our roads are bigger in cities - we have bypasses usually even for small burgs but in France off the autoroutes you usually go right thru the heart of villages and this makes driving slower and a bit more tedious.
and in towns like Orleans where I drive frequently - a large town it is completely gridlocked much of the day - for a tourist to have to drive into that town and find parking can be a complete hassle - not so in the average American town this size - not at all comparable.
Seems like kerouac has not driven much in the U.S. IMO to say that. Again driving in France is easy enough but in no case would I say it is easier than in the U.S. as a blanket statement.
And my French friends and in-laws when they come here marvel at how patient American drivers are - exclaiming how impatient French drivers seem.
Mar 25th, 2011, 09:23 AM
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<<And my French friends and in-laws when they come here marvel at how patient American drivers are - exclaiming how impatient French drivers seem>>
I find American drivers to be among the least patient on earth, plus the least skilled. It's a bad combination. Sure, a French person will take umbrage if you're dawdling along in the fast lane or going 25 mph on an N road and won't let him pass, but how often do you encounter road rage in France? How often do you see a driver fail to use a turn signal? How often do you see a French driver do some utterly stupid, unpredictable move without warning? Happens every day here in the USA, at least where I live. Give me driving in France ANY day over driving in the USA.
I find American drivers to be among the least patient on earth, plus the least skilled. It's a bad combination. Sure, a French person will take umbrage if you're dawdling along in the fast lane or going 25 mph on an N road and won't let him pass, but how often do you encounter road rage in France? How often do you see a driver fail to use a turn signal? How often do you see a French driver do some utterly stupid, unpredictable move without warning? Happens every day here in the USA, at least where I live. Give me driving in France ANY day over driving in the USA.
Mar 25th, 2011, 09:26 AM
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Tell your husband not to worry, driving in or out of Paris, and driving in France is easy. They have lane disciplined and the roads are well maintained. I would recommend a car with a GPS because it will make your life a lot easier.
Have a wonderful time.
Have a wonderful time.
Mar 25th, 2011, 09:28 AM
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I find it surprising that someone in his 40s would say that about France, but I can see many people saying that about Paris. Driving in the center of a humongous foreign capital city isn't exactly a piece of cake, anywhere. Driving in a lot of these kinds of cities is difficult for anyone, but I think it's particularly kind of a bad thing for a tourist to do that as it causes problems for local residents.
Outside major cities isn't that difficult, but some people are more nervous than others and just don't enjoy that kind of stuff. I don't like driving in traffic or difficult areas, it's not something I like to do.
It doesn't really matter what we think, he clearly does not want to do this, that seems obvious, what else does he need to do to get that thought conveyed. HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO THIS!!!
I love trains, I wish we had them in the US, I find them very relaxing and enjoyable.
Some people do reckless things when they are young, and driving over the speeed limit or illegally or ignoring road signs, etc (or local traffic regulations) and causing annoyance to other drivers may seem a lark when you are 20, but a mature adult may not find that so much fun anymore. I'm thinking about someone I know who drove around the Arc de Triompher causing all kinds of problems, and other things in Paris when she was very young but sometimes you get older and wiser with age.
Outside major cities isn't that difficult, but some people are more nervous than others and just don't enjoy that kind of stuff. I don't like driving in traffic or difficult areas, it's not something I like to do.
It doesn't really matter what we think, he clearly does not want to do this, that seems obvious, what else does he need to do to get that thought conveyed. HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO THIS!!!
I love trains, I wish we had them in the US, I find them very relaxing and enjoyable.
Some people do reckless things when they are young, and driving over the speeed limit or illegally or ignoring road signs, etc (or local traffic regulations) and causing annoyance to other drivers may seem a lark when you are 20, but a mature adult may not find that so much fun anymore. I'm thinking about someone I know who drove around the Arc de Triompher causing all kinds of problems, and other things in Paris when she was very young but sometimes you get older and wiser with age.
Mar 25th, 2011, 09:36 AM
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The U.S. is the home of the moving picture, and I have always noticed that in what we still quaintly call "films" the driver will turn his or her head to talk to the person next to them, or turn round completely rather than use the rear-view mirror. Is this a particularly American style of driving, with roads so wide and so empty, that you can drop your concentration and swerve around a bit without hitting someone? Is this why Americans can happily drink coffee while driving, when Europeans find that practice just a little too hazardous?
I have driven in many European countries without any real problems, but have become a little more nervous lately as cars have got wider. This is particularly the case on some straight French rural roads where it used to be easy to pass a car going fast the other way without slowing down. With wider cars, the margin for error is less. I slow down, but the locals don't.
I have always found driving in the U.S. more measured and courteous than in Europe. I think the problems that Americans have with roundabouts is that they try to treat them like a 4-way stop, with everyone strictly taking turns and coming to a dead stop. The European driving style is a bit more fluid.
And now for a grumble about my home country, if that is allowed. Why do the traffic lights in Britain not have the small repeater signals at eye level that are common in France and Spain?
I have driven in many European countries without any real problems, but have become a little more nervous lately as cars have got wider. This is particularly the case on some straight French rural roads where it used to be easy to pass a car going fast the other way without slowing down. With wider cars, the margin for error is less. I slow down, but the locals don't.
I have always found driving in the U.S. more measured and courteous than in Europe. I think the problems that Americans have with roundabouts is that they try to treat them like a 4-way stop, with everyone strictly taking turns and coming to a dead stop. The European driving style is a bit more fluid.
And now for a grumble about my home country, if that is allowed. Why do the traffic lights in Britain not have the small repeater signals at eye level that are common in France and Spain?
Mar 25th, 2011, 09:37 AM
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StCirq - well that thing about patience is what my French friends and in-laws always say when driving around with me. But I do think it makes a big difference where in each country you are driving - in NYC or Paris is far different than perhaps here in the Midwest or rural France.
France also now has a lot of round-abouts and Americans can find these perplexing and intimidating and yes I will say that in French round-abouts drivers are more aggressive than in the few round-abouts we have here. Well it is a lot in perception but to say driving in France is easier than in the U.S. I just do not think holds water - for one thing you are driving in a foreign country with signs in French often - though there are universal signs there still are signs like 'Deviation' or 'Sens Unique', 'Travaux' 'Riverains' or Priority a droite to decipher - some study of such signs would be helpful.
France also now has a lot of round-abouts and Americans can find these perplexing and intimidating and yes I will say that in French round-abouts drivers are more aggressive than in the few round-abouts we have here. Well it is a lot in perception but to say driving in France is easier than in the U.S. I just do not think holds water - for one thing you are driving in a foreign country with signs in French often - though there are universal signs there still are signs like 'Deviation' or 'Sens Unique', 'Travaux' 'Riverains' or Priority a droite to decipher - some study of such signs would be helpful.
Mar 25th, 2011, 10:05 AM
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While I agree that driving a car around in paris makes no sense picking ne up there and driving it for the rest of the trip makes perfect sense.
As for driving in paris or france or much of europe I find it much easier and more pleasant than in the US. While spees are typically higher drivers are generally much more skilled (in the US a chimp could easily get a license), road signs are better and roads in much better condition. I wold much rather drive there than have to drive here - with soccer moms wandering over multiple lanes in gigantic SUVs they can;t handle, salesmen eating lunch while driving and 85 year olds who can;t see over the steering wheel).
Granted you need good driving and parking skills - or you may be the object of derision or impatience, but if you're a competent, confident driver most of europe is a joy to dirve in.
As for parking - no there aren't giant malls with parallel parking made for hummers. Again, you need skill at parallel parking (either side) in spaces not much larger than the car. Coming from a city in the North east - this is just like home.
As for driving in paris or france or much of europe I find it much easier and more pleasant than in the US. While spees are typically higher drivers are generally much more skilled (in the US a chimp could easily get a license), road signs are better and roads in much better condition. I wold much rather drive there than have to drive here - with soccer moms wandering over multiple lanes in gigantic SUVs they can;t handle, salesmen eating lunch while driving and 85 year olds who can;t see over the steering wheel).
Granted you need good driving and parking skills - or you may be the object of derision or impatience, but if you're a competent, confident driver most of europe is a joy to dirve in.
As for parking - no there aren't giant malls with parallel parking made for hummers. Again, you need skill at parallel parking (either side) in spaces not much larger than the car. Coming from a city in the North east - this is just like home.
Mar 25th, 2011, 10:25 AM
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Driving in Paris was fairly easy... Because we didn't MOVE very fast LOL!
Granted all I did was drive the "ring" road Literally we never got over 10 MPH for about 2 hours...
Now it was more stressful. In the traffic jams in Atlanta there are not hundreds of motercycles cutting between the stopped cars which means you have to check all around the car before you do move... (We have "some" motercycles, but not near that many and they tend to be somewhat more "law abiding")
Honestly, I don't see any reason to "drive" in Paris. I would take the TGV to your first "stop" and get a car there. Traffic is major city traffic, you are generally 'lost' and it's just added stress that most of us don't need. I can't see any reason to use the car within the city.
Granted all I did was drive the "ring" road Literally we never got over 10 MPH for about 2 hours...
Now it was more stressful. In the traffic jams in Atlanta there are not hundreds of motercycles cutting between the stopped cars which means you have to check all around the car before you do move... (We have "some" motercycles, but not near that many and they tend to be somewhat more "law abiding")
Honestly, I don't see any reason to "drive" in Paris. I would take the TGV to your first "stop" and get a car there. Traffic is major city traffic, you are generally 'lost' and it's just added stress that most of us don't need. I can't see any reason to use the car within the city.
Mar 25th, 2011, 11:18 AM
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Interesting data on driving in France, which still has higher deaths rates than most neighboring countries - the full article says that autoroutes (freeways) are very save but other roads are much less safe - so it depends on what type of road you drive on.
How Safe are Europeans on French Roads this Summer?
25/May/2010
EU motorists planning their annual touring trip to France are warned that, while they can expect the highest safety engineering standards in Europe on the autoroutes, the safety of other popular French touring roads is far lower. British motorists face risk levels in France last seen on roads at home 15 years ago, according to a report launched today, commissioned by a consortium of European touring clubs and safety charities.
In the last decade, 60,000 people have lost their lives on French roads
France is the UK's biggest road-touring holiday destination
Death rates on France's roads compare with those of Britain and the Netherlands 15 years ago
Alcohol plays a major part: in 80% of drink-drive related crashes the driver was more than twice the blood-alcohol limit
"However, visitors need to be aware that 15% of France's busier roads achieve only a one star rating and death rates per head of population are more than 50% higher than many neighbouring countries. If France is to catch up with top performing countries then the challenge is not the skills of its engineers but the size of the country. France has roughly twice the length of road that needs urgent treatment."
Full article:
EuroRAP :: News :: How Safe are Europeans on French Roads this Summer?How safe are you on French roads? reports on an inspection of 4300km of popular ... road-touring holiday destination; Death rates on France's roads compare ...
www.eurorap.org/news_item?search=y&ID=350
How Safe are Europeans on French Roads this Summer?
25/May/2010
EU motorists planning their annual touring trip to France are warned that, while they can expect the highest safety engineering standards in Europe on the autoroutes, the safety of other popular French touring roads is far lower. British motorists face risk levels in France last seen on roads at home 15 years ago, according to a report launched today, commissioned by a consortium of European touring clubs and safety charities.
In the last decade, 60,000 people have lost their lives on French roads
France is the UK's biggest road-touring holiday destination
Death rates on France's roads compare with those of Britain and the Netherlands 15 years ago
Alcohol plays a major part: in 80% of drink-drive related crashes the driver was more than twice the blood-alcohol limit
"However, visitors need to be aware that 15% of France's busier roads achieve only a one star rating and death rates per head of population are more than 50% higher than many neighbouring countries. If France is to catch up with top performing countries then the challenge is not the skills of its engineers but the size of the country. France has roughly twice the length of road that needs urgent treatment."
Full article:
EuroRAP :: News :: How Safe are Europeans on French Roads this Summer?How safe are you on French roads? reports on an inspection of 4300km of popular ... road-touring holiday destination; Death rates on France's roads compare ...
www.eurorap.org/news_item?search=y&ID=350
Mar 25th, 2011, 11:20 AM
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I agree with CarolA. Get to a train stop out of the city, or even Orly, and pick up the car there. Driving in Paris was a pretty nerve-wracking experience; the street names seemed to change every block, if you can even find them!
Once you get out of the city, I don't find that it's much different than US roads, especially on the autoroutes.
Once you get out of the city, I don't find that it's much different than US roads, especially on the autoroutes.
Mar 25th, 2011, 12:58 PM
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It seems that many Americans here agree with Kerouac that driving in France is easier than in the U.S. So I may be wrong in thinking that is not so.
And I will say that driving in France has become easier in the past few decades with the tremendous road improvements and more importantly perhaps because of crackdowns on speed limits and drinking and driving - the former thru cameras and speed traps and the latter thru roadside checks.
I remember long ago driving on the autoroute by Orlans and there was a caravan of police cars going the speed limit of 78 mph and everyone was blowing by them like they were stopped by the side of the road. I do not think I would see that today. and road accident rates have plummeted I think.
So if you know the rules and customs and can read the signs I think driving in France today should be as easy at last as at home. I have changed my opinion of that in light of comments from others above.
And I will say that driving in France has become easier in the past few decades with the tremendous road improvements and more importantly perhaps because of crackdowns on speed limits and drinking and driving - the former thru cameras and speed traps and the latter thru roadside checks.
I remember long ago driving on the autoroute by Orlans and there was a caravan of police cars going the speed limit of 78 mph and everyone was blowing by them like they were stopped by the side of the road. I do not think I would see that today. and road accident rates have plummeted I think.
So if you know the rules and customs and can read the signs I think driving in France today should be as easy at last as at home. I have changed my opinion of that in light of comments from others above.
