Everyone says one must drive through Provence to really see the area. I am almost convinced and the scenic drives sound amazing. But, is it for me? Here's my profile:

-Never driven outside the U.S.
-Have only basic knowledge of French language
-Nervous about driving through mountainous, cliff-ridden areas
-Normally content with public/hired transportation

I'm reluctant to ruin my trip with a horrible rental-car episode. But, should I give it a try?

We drove all over Provence with no problems. Directions are clearly marked by destination and I don't recall encountering any cliff areas except between Monte Carlo and Nice. The driving is no different and by the time you get back you'll be wishing we had roundabouts here!

It depends on what is meant by &quot;<i>really</i> see the area.&quot; You can visit towns and and major sights (like the Pont du Gard) via public transport and you can certainly &quot;see&quot; the countryside from the windows of a bus or train but a train or bus is not going to stop by the side of the road so you can take a photo of plane trees or sunflowers, or have a picnic, or just stop and soak in what you're seeing.

I've driven in Provence three times and have absolutely loved it. Also never had any problem except for one break-in in a carpark in a small town in western Provence (they didn't get anything because we took all our day-trip stuff with us.)

<i>-Never driven outside the U.S.</i>

I hadn't either. Provence was my first experience driving in Europe. Except for a few speed demons and crazies, I found French drivers to be better (more &quot;heads-up&quot than those in the U.S.

<i>-Have only basic knowledge of French language</i>

Same here. But it was no problem whatsoever. There aren't that many different signs and you'll recognize most of them (e.g. Stop, Yield, Do Not Enter) by their shape and symbol anyway.

<i>-Nervous about driving through mountainous, cliff-ridden areas&lt;/i.

Depending on exactly where you plan to go, that <i>can</i> be a bit scary. I was, for example, a wee bit nervous in a few places on the Gorges du Verdon. But, in most places, you shouldn't have a problem, unless you tend to excessively anxious while driving.

<i>-Normally content with public/hired transportation</i>

&quot;Content&quot; works for a lot of people. You certainly don't <i>need</i> to drive. But it gives you a lot more flexibility and, if you enjoy driving, it can also be a lot of fun.

Good luck in whatever you decide! You'll enjoy Provence either way. </i>

On one trip to Provence (Cote d'Azur) my boyfriend drove and I was the navigator. Since he can drive anything, anywhere, any side of the road (or not), it was a non event as long as I told him where we were going and when to turn right or left or get on the auto route (toll highway), though he is one of those men who &quot;does&quot; ask for directions (had I not been navigating). But that doesn't answer your questions.

So a few years later, I visited Provence with a female friend, both New Yorkers who neither own cars, nor have the need to drive. Neither of us had been behind a wheel in at least five years. This too was a non-event. Had no trouble with the vehicle - we did rent an automatic, which cost a few extra dollars, but the driving was a breeze.

In a period of two weeks we drove more than 1,000 miles between Provence and Languedoc and not a ding or dent. Got lost only once, but that was easy enough to get out of and we absolutely loved the national roads with the beautiful plane trees and traffic circles. As long as you know what town or city you are going to the signs at the traffic circles are easy to follow (they may be French words or names, but they use our alphabet). Boy do I wish they had more traffic circles in the States.

Knowing the French language for driving isn't really necessary. Road signs are universal - stop, yield, circle, etc. so the words aren't that important. The few winding roads just need to be taken slowly, but we were never on the edge of a mountain or worried about cliffs anywhere.

There was a recent post by, I believe, &quot;pat4&quot; who did a self-drive and had a wonderful experience. Do a search on this board for &quot;pat4&quot;, or &quot;trip report Provence&quot; which was maybe a month or so ago. Recent, and great information.

Be sure to have a good road map - the Michelin Orange #528 covers the area and we found perfect for our needs. Know where you're going each morning, check the map for routing and you should be fine. Stick with the speed limits which are about 40-50mph on the national roads - though don't be surprised to see local drivers behind you waiting to pass - just move to the side of the road and they'll fly past you, then you can continue on your way. Within no time, you'll be perfectly comfortable.

If we were able to do it, anyone can.

I have to add that our town, which boasts a branch of the Univ. of California, has a number of traffic circles, and most people loathe them. I've never figured out why otherwise intelligent people draw a blank when they see one of these traffic-control devices.

One of the best things about the traffic circles in France is that many of them are interesting, containing memorials or vivid displays of flowers and perhaps a fountain.

Dear Ms. Wiley:

Capo and the other folks who responded gave superb advice. I have traveled to Provence in each of the last 12 years and have had no problems.

I would emphasize:

-Get an automatic.
-Get a Fodor's travel book and a language book. Just the attempt at the basics will gain you friendly reactions.
-French road signs are excellent though they do hum along at 80 mph. Drivers are excellent. Do not drink and drive.
-How many times have we stopped by the side of the road to photograph lavender or sunflowers or stopped in a quaint village for lunch or to attend the weekly market.
-Do not miss the Wednesday market in St. Remy if anywhere near it: 8 to 1.
-As a first time driver avoid the Gorge du Verdon or any road that is described as &quot;panoramique&quot; as that's normally mountain driving.
-Provence is our Shangri-La--I hope it becomes yours.

If you woudl like to se some recent trip reports please provide your e-mail address. Bonne Chance!

Two differences in driving in France:

1) Road signage for identifying which road to take can use different conventions from US. A road may be identified by the next small town along it or by the next big city many miles away, or by both. The signs indicating which road to take point AT the road, while we are used to arrows pointing in the direction to turn. Think of directional signs as a person pointing at the road you are to take and it will go well.

2) Priority to the Right. At any intersection without a traffic light, the car coming from the right has the right of way, even if it is on a tiny road and the other car is on the main drag. This also means a car entering a traffic circle has the right of way over a car in the circle.

Otherwise, I found driving in France wonderful outside of cities, which are nearly impossible due to medieval road layouts and one-ways. No potholes!

Have a copilot with a map and get automatic transmission (reserve in advance) and you'll be fine.

Great explanation of French road signs! It took us quite a while to figure out that the signs didn't point to the direction for turning.

I thought that when you enter a roundabout you yield to the cars [on the left] already in it.

RonZ - it's been a few years since we've been in Provence and had to deal with traffic circles, but I believe you are correct. With that comment I'm waiting for this thread to change into &quot;how to navigate French traffic circles.&quot; LOL!

~I don't drive but pass on to mon mari things I know .
The speed limit on expressways is 75 mph, 56 on roads. The French do noyt often observe these limits but they will flash you like we do here in my area, to warn you of police traps if you do speed, as we do at times to meet an appointment. The roundabout, Traditionally in France was alway bowing to those from the right but now with heavy traffic, so now you will see signs, &quot;Vous n'avez pas la priorit&eacute; and, C&eacute;dez le passage ( yield)

ms wiley:

Be brave and go for it! If you're not used to a manual, spend the extra for an automatic. The things you will be able to see with your own car are amazig compared to what you will be limited to with public transportation. Consider this a liberating experience!
You don't need to know French to read the signs. You just need to know where you're headed.
There are no mountainous, cliff-ridden areas.

Give it a try. Really. It will be SO much better with a car!

There has to be a first time for everything. Go for it.

Just stay away from the area of the Gorge du Verdon--the Route Napol&eacute;on is a bit dicey--and the village of Gourdon, which has a tricky road over the mountains as access. You might also want to avoid the middle and high corniches between Nice and Monaco.

Yes, the French no longer have to yield to traffic coming on to roundabouts from the right. Also, routes will have a yellow diamond sign every so often to inform you that you are on the priority road - therefore no yielding to the right at any time.
A couple of other things if you've never driven outside the US: You are not allowed to turn right on a red light. However, you may see a flashing amber which means that you can turn if the road is clear.
Flashing your lights at another car will mean that you intend to take priority. Here in the UK it means the opposite - i.e. that you are letting the other car go first. When I first found out, it almost ended in tears!
French police have the right to escort you to an ATM to pay your traffic fines on the spot.
As you will be hiring a car, the French won't therefore treat you as a foreigner. When I've driven in my own UK car in France, they try and get past you no matter what speed you are doing. On French plates, the problem seems to disappear!
I'll also be driving in Provence this summer in a hire car. Yes - do give it a try. So many people say that you can do this and that with public transport. With your own car, however, you can go where you like when you like and stay as long as you like. It gives you far greater freedom.

Hi

driving in Provence is much easier than driving in some US cities, BUT ........

AR said &quot; Also, routes will have a yellow diamond sign every so often to inform you that you are on the priority road - therefore no yielding to the right at any time. &quot;

Sorry to disagree, but where the road crosses towns, some are still priority from the right.

The French are less aggressive in taking this right than the Belgians, but you may meet it. I go very slowly in towns regardless of signs : and it saved me from an accident about 1 hr ago.

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

Probably explains the fist waving and horn blasting that I've encountered then Peter!!! LOL

I'm sure you'll be fine. Our primary rule for stress free driving is to make sure that we arrive in a new town before dark. It really helps to get your bearings. You'll have a great time feeling independent.

Yes - give it a try! Good advice already given, and not to be ignored - avoid the Gorge Du Verdon, and stay away from the small and winding roads after dark!

The consensus is pretty clear -- it's do-able. I'd second the point, though, about not driving after dark on small roads: City dwellers forget how absolutely pitch dark the countryside is and there is no countryside so dark as back-country France, IMHO.

As we have many experts on road signs on the board today, here is a question to which I have forgotten the answer:

When you turn onto a road and there are 2 signs giving the destination(s) am I correct that the first sign lists only those destinations you can reach ON THAT SAME ROAD whereas the second will list destinations reached via a junction with, and travel on, a differently numbered road? (As I recall, sometimes that second road is named -- e.g. Gordes, par la RN100 -- more usually not.)

I also love the coloured signs indicating those tertiary and I guess deliberately picturesque routes to major destinations: It's weird, on a tiny remote route in the south, to see a directional sign &quot;Paris -- 728&quot;