Autoroutes

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More information about autoroutes

There are emergency telephones (the are bright orange) every 2km, parking or resting areas (aires) every 10 or 20km with amenities such as restrooms, telephones, shops, restaurants and information centres, as well as 24 hour petrol stations are approximately every 40km. There are WC's and card phones after the toll booths.

Air for your car tyres is free at the petrol stations.

At peak commuting times, during the summer months and during the holidays, traffic may be disrupted around more densely populated areas. Bison fute is a service provided by the French government in order to reduce traffic congestion.

You can get a reduction if your vehicle is fitted to accommodate the transport of disabled people - you must produce vehicle registration documents showing VP or disabled. Mini-buses adapted for the disabled pay the same toll as private cars.

Apparently any motorhome under 3 metres high and 3,500Kgs or less and is Vehicle Licence Exempt (road tax) and can claim Classe 1 tarif on French motorways.

Costs in France - Calculate rates; www.autoroutes.fr - www.sanef.com

Regular users of French autoroutes may like to consider the Liber-T badge system which allows you to pass through the péage quickly. Recently the télépéage system has been integrated, so that now one card can be used throughout France.

With this card your details are automatically recorded when you pass through the reserved lanes at any péage, without having to stop or collect a ticket. Charges are invoiced and taken from your credit card account once a month. You can also check your account on the internet.

The charges are same if you are taken by trailer to a garage or place of your choice. There is an extra charge if you get taken to a place of your choice (effective from the motorway exit). These rates depend on the company you are using.

The "aires" or roadside rest areas, are specially designed for motorists to stop at and usually have a wide range of facilities, with WC's, picnic and exercise areas. They are usually every 10 - 15kms.

The brown panels on the side of the motorway (Les panneaux marrons) give you information about the area you're driving through.

Most European countries have tolls on their motorways. Keep some change as not all countries take credit cards on their motorways (Italy in particular). For Switzerland and Austria you need to buy a sticker that allows you to use their motorways (do this at the border).

Free autoroutes

Breakdown charges (Dépannage) - www.sanef.com.

Breakdowns come more often than you may wish on a long journey. Roadside assistance tariffs are the same throughout France (except around Nice) and regulated. For a vehicle less than 1.8 tonnes, roadside repairs of up to 30 minutes cost 68.60 euro between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday (forfait de base), and 102.90 euro between 6.00pm and 8.00am, and on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays (forfait majoré). The cost of parts and extra time are additional.

Motorway Information - Tel: 0033 147 05 90 01. www.autoroutes.fr

Summer Holidays.

Bison Futé - a government service for summer travellers. We strongly advise you to visit this informative site before you go.

Skiers

Regional Road Information Centres. Rhone-Alps / Auvergne Tel: 0033 472 81 57 33.

Autoroute web site - click on logo

 AUTOROUTE RADIO FM107.7 - information on roadwork's etc.

Autoroute tariffs

Autoroute Charges Calculator; www.autoroutes.fr - www.sanef.com

French sites - if you are travelling by car in Europe - calculates route & tariffs; 1 - www.mappy.com

Problems ahead - find out how busy your planned day of travel will be - www.asf.fr

Map showing busy setions of the French autoroutes - www.asf.fr/control

Busy times on the autoroutes

When travelling on the autoroutes, it is usually convenient to pay with your credit card. You have to do this at the booths (péage) at the end of the autoroute. Generally autoroutes around cities and where there is no RN (Route National) road are free.

Keep a selection of change handy - the automatic pay points where you throw coins into a bucket are very quick and easy to use.

We strongly recommend the Liber-T automatic badge - from just 2 euro a month (plus the charges) it is a wonderfully efficient way to drive in France.

Conversion table

Free bits of the autoroute

Other suggested routes in France