Page 252 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

250  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Getting Around by Road Insurance and
Breakdown Services
France is a motorist’s paradise and the main route to Provence All car insurance policies in the
is via an excellent, if expensive, autoroute (motorway) network. EU automatically include third­
Provence is ideal for touring, with some of the most beautiful party insurance cover that
road routes in the world, including the stunning Grande is valid in any EU country.
However, the extent of cover
Corniche above Nice, and the hilltop lanes of the Luberon (see provided beyond the legal
pp174–5). Popular routes, especially the motorway and coastal minimum varies between com­
roads along the Côte d’Azur, are always busy in high season. panies, so it is best to check
your policy before you travel.
If you are bringing your car
Getting to Provence at Avignon, and head into the from outside the EU, you can
The quickest route south from Luberon and on to Var. purchase extra insurance cover
Paris is the Autoroute du Soleil, For the adventurous, the Route from the AA, RAC and Europ
the A6 motorway to Lyon, fol­ Napoléon (N85) leads from Assistance. While driving in
lowed by the A7 to Marseille. Grenoble south across the Alps France you must carry in the
Travellers from the UK and to Digne, and continues to Grasse. car your driving licence, pass­
northern Europe should try From Grasse, take the scenic D3 port, the vehicle registration
to avoid driving through Paris, to Cannes, or the Route de Nice, document and a certificate of
especially during the rush hour. which leads to Nice and its environs. insurance. A sticker showing the
The A26 runs from Calais to country of registration should
Troyes, where you can join the be displayed near the rear
A5, which leads into the A6. Car Rental number plate. The headlights
From Spain, the A8 motorway Car rental in France can be of right­hand drive cars must
leads directly to Marseille and expensive so it is worth check­ be adjusted – kits are available
goes on to Nice and Italy. ing out your options before you at most ports.
In high season, the motor­ go. There are numerous special Taking out breakdown cover
ways get very crowded and if offers for pre­paid car rentals in is advisable. It can be arranged
you have time it may be worth the UK and USA. with your European insurance
taking more minor (and attrac­ Fly­drive options work well cover, or through a motoring
tive) roads. Try turning off the for small groups. SNCF offers organization such as the AA or
main road at Montélimar to train and car­rental deals with RAC. There are also local services
travel to the Luberon via Nyons collection from several main such as Dépannage Côte
and Vaison­la­Romaine. Or exit stations (see pp246–7). d’Azur Transports.

Using the Autoroute Toll Motorway Sign
These signs indicate the name
When you join an autoroute, and distance to the next toll
collect a ticket from the machine. booth. They are usually blue
This identifies your starting point on and white; some show the tariff
the autoroute. You do not pay until you rates for cars, motorbikes, trucks
and caravans.
reach an exit toll. You are charged
according to the distance travelled
and the type of vehicle used.

Automatic Machine
On reaching the exit toll, insert
your ticket into the machine and
Tollbooth with Attendant the price of your journey is
When you hand in your ticket at a staffed tollbooth, the displayed in euros. You can pay
attendant will tell you the cost of your journey on the either with coins or by credit card.
autoroute and the price will be displayed. You can pay with The machine will give change and
coins, notes or credit cards. A receipt is issued on request. can issue a receipt.