Michael

<i> (Do not cruise in the middle lane.)</i>

In my experience, if there is a middle lane, it is for the cars going at speed limit, passing the trucks who are going more slowly in the right lane.

PalenQ

5. Don't drink and drive - at all a near zero tolerance with roadside checks enforces the law - the old French two-hour lunch with wine is a history in part because of that I'm told.

and if you see folks coming at you blinking their lights expect a speed trap for you ahead - a time-'honored' tradition that may be illegal but IME still done (that said I have not driven in France for a few years and wonder if this is still the case or have they cracked down on that too?)

And the old Priority on the Right my French friends still talk about - at times minor intersections in cities IME cars may dart in front because they have priority on the right - the vast % of intersections are marked with priority but on side streets in cities they may not be.

nytraveler

What do you mean by "large"? If you are talking about 28" or bigger body bags - these can be an issue in almost any car trunk. 24" or 25" bags should be OK. And this assume the carry-ons are much smaller - and preferably soft-sided.

Underhill

By all means take the TGV to Dijon and pick the car up there. Just be sure to check the hours the car-rental station is open, especially around noon.

Sarastro

<i>In my experience, if there is a middle lane, it is for the cars going at speed limit, passing the trucks who are going more slowly in the right lane.</i>

Strictly speaking, if the trucks, or any vehicle, are not present in the right lane, cruising in the middle lane can result in your being ticketed.