I concur with the other posters; driving is the best wat to see the Loire valley.

If you can drive a car with a standard transmission, you will save a lot of money on your car rental; also if you can get a car that uses diesel, you will save a lot when re-fueling.

AjGupta, I think you will probably find it quite easy to drive in France once you have a few hours under your belt. On the plus side, you will find that signage, road markings, and driving rules are consistent throughout the country. I find French drivers often assertive, but they are unquestionably more disciplined and predictable than those I encounter at home.

The French have replaced many intersections with roundabouts, which slow traffic and eliminate left-hand turns. However, you will still encounter blind intersections (think, for example, of a large house built at the corner of a crossroad) and roads that in North America would have wide shoulders and guard rails. I find driving there slightly more fatiguing than I do in NA, possibly because of the unfamiliarity of it all and feeling I have to be very alert.

As others have indicated, navigating is by city- or town-based direction, rather than route number or compass direction. It is a simple and logical system that works like a charm. Do buy maps, preferably 1:150,000, certainly no smaller than 1:200,000. I like the Michelin local series (they have a orange and yellow cover and say "Local"); the detail is amazing. If you miss a turn or feel you are disoriented, don't despair; it is fairly easy to retrace your steps, especially when you encounter the next roundabout.

Beware speeding. The French have cracked down on this in the last couple of years, and their highway death statistcs are trending downwards. There are automatic radar cameras in various locations on the autoroutes, and I have driven through hand-held radar in the most out-of-the way places you could imagine.

As someone indicated above, do learn to read traffic signs, especially the restrictive ones, such as No Entry, No Stopping, parking instructions, Local Traffic Only, and One Way. One rule that isn't perfectly evident: when you approach a village or town, you will see a rectangular sign edged in red with the name of the town in it. Unless otherwise indicated, the speed limit changes to 50 kms at that sign. Some places give you a gentle reminder 100 metres down the road (a sign saying 50 with Rappel underneath it), but the last radar trap I drove through was immediately past one of those village signs. When you leave the village, you'll see the name of the town again, but with a black diagonal line through it. You can resume higway speed at that point, unless otherwise indicated.

Have fun, you'll love it.

Anselm

naturegirl,

I just sent off the article on driving in France. As for a map, just where are you going to be? If it's Provence in general, the Michelin map for the whole area should be fine. If you need one that's more detailed around the coast, there's one for Marseille-Menton that might be useful.

One problem with the overall-Provence map is that the fold is right through the Lubéron valley, making it difficult to follow unless you can open the map way out.

Underhill
Would you mind sending me your article on driving in France, I am gathering information for my husband so I can't get blamed for all the mishaps we have on our first adventure in driving on foreign roads also on the opposite of the road we are use to.
[email protected]
thank you

Underhill, will be based in St. Remy and taking day trips to the village towns (Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacosta, Menerbes, etc.) Les Baux and Pont du Gard. I've downloaded driving info and maps from Michilin and Mappy also.

Thanks for sending the Driving in France article.

I'd suggest adding the Michelip #81, Montélimar-Avignon-Digne. That gives you an unobstructed view of the Lubéron area.

Have a great time.

I got the article on driving in France from underhill, that is great. She should post it on Fodors as everyone going there for the first time seems to want it. Had a question on Children. The article seems to suggest that children under 10 needs harness or seat. My duughter is 8, does she still need a car seat. In the US, she just needs to have seat belts on ( and in the rear seat - ofcourse). Any comments/suggestion from anyone...

Thank you all who helped me with driving in France. The tips were very helpful. I rented a car and drive around in France. I took a car with a GPS and it was a GREAT help. I would certainly recommend anyone who wants to drive in France to take the GPS. I also figured out those "curved arrows" road signs, which meant that keep going straight ----> they just meant that the road curves to the left or right ( as the sign does). Thank you all once again.