yan

We are planning to drive from Bordeaux to Paris, spending most of our time in Loire Valley. Is it a problem to read the road signs without knowing any French? What about the traffic rules in France? How different are they from those in US? Do we need to read their driver's manual--we have to use an English version I guess. Is there any other special preparation that we should be aware of? Thank you all that I have got and will get helps from. The information that I abtained from this forum is terrific.

Rex

You'll undoubtedly learn some - - I suppose you could get by without knowing these things, but you'll see them so often, you'll undoubtedly WANT to know what they mean: <BR> <BR>1. Vous n'avez pas la priorité - - at a roundabout (traffic circle) - - literally, you do not have the priority (right-of-way) - - or in other words, merge with caution, or simply "Yield" - - to the other cars already circling. <BR> <BR>2. Toutes directions - - literally, all (other) directions. When faced with a (small or large) number of arrows pointing in various directions, you need to know either the next town on your desired route, or the next MAJOR town on your way; if you are going somewhere that is "off the path" of the most likely places to go from where you are, "Toutes directions" means everywhere else - - besides the places whose directions are indicated by an arrow. <BR>This can be overwhelming at some roundabouts - - there may be only two choices, like Poitiers this way, Toutes directions the other way - - or there may be 6 or 8 arrows pointing in various directions (one of which might be the one you want) - - or the direction you need might still be "Toutes directions". <BR> <BR>I'm not tryig to talk you out of driving. Getting from Bordeaux to Paris is, in fact, as easy as getting from one end of Kansas to the other. But you have already posted here that you want to get off the autoroute and see some stuff along the way. You will likely do fine. If you get flustered, it might be on your approach to Paris. You could consider turning in the car in Chartres, and taking the train or other public transportation to get you back to the airport (assuming that your trip is ending with this return to Paris). <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

xx

From what I recall, the tiny little Berlitz English-French guide (about $6) has a page or two with road signs, etc. Also phrases should you break down or have an accident? Might be helpful.

pj

Consider using the www.iti.fr site for driving directions in France. You can get directions printed out in English, though of course the city/town names will be the French spelling that you would see on signs. The iti site gives options for "fastest route," "without tolls," and "alternate" which is more scenic. The back of the Michelin guidebooks also have some French/English translations relating to driving. Pictures on signs are similar. The stop signs say "STOP" though that is probably the only English term that is used. Have a good time!

Louis

Definitely don't leave home without a phrase book, or buy one of the new electronic ones that have pronunciation; pricy but effective. One good feature of French road signs is that as you're driving towards a given town there will be a white sign with the name of the town in black by the side of the road to let you know you're headed in that direction. If you should happen to pass up the main road into the town, then there will be an indentical roadside sign but this time the name of the town will be crossed out in red to let you know you're headed away from the town. This helps when you're looking for a small country village in a wine district, let's say, that's off the beaten path.

cherie

Or you could do like my husband did when we rented a car and navigated the Arc d Triomphe at rush hour: He said "You're responsible for anything coming at us from the right". Literally everyone has right of way, motorcycles coming out of alleys ....anyone. Traffic circles are easy if you have driven in the East Coast like Washington DC....you carefully merge and make your intentions known. The French drivers do not remain in one lane as do Americans most of the time...they weave alot. The country signs are color-coded so it makes highway driving easy.....I recall the chateau signs were brown....and we looked at the map ahead of time and appointed a navigator to watch for the upcoming towns in case of traffic circles....we'd give directions like the face of a clock....turn at 2:00, etc. The streets were often narrow and we used the rule that if we'd follow a Range Rover (they're the widest vehicle on the road, I think,), we could fit without taking off the rentacar paint. People park over the sidewalk and sometimes pass that way, too. We even encountered the "Tour d Tours", and were faced with bveing in the middle of an historic car road race, being passed by vintage Bugattis and Vuasons (sic?). Do it....its a blast. The Loire is fabulous and driving it in a comfortable car is the way to go.

wes fowler

Yan, <BR>Renault has an excellent website that will alleviate most of your concerns. Check out www.ideamerge.com/motoeuropa/index.html then click on "Online Guides" and you'll find information by country. There's also a link on the website that has reproductions of all the road and traffic signs you'll encounter in Europe. One warning on the latter,however, because of its graphics it takes forever to download.

Lauren

Be sure to get a detailed map for the area where you are planning to drive. Michelin publishes a series of detailed maps for the different French regions. To drive successfully, buy them. The great big map of France is fine for an overview, but you will get lost with out the detailed ones. <BR> <BR>The road signs in Europe are set up so you really don't have to know the language. Some of the signs on the autoroute will be in the native language, however. Look for a phrase book that has a section on driving terms.