Page 254 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

252  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Parking
Parking in the big towns, partic­
ularly along the coast, is strictly
regulated. If you are illegally
parked, you may be towed away
instantly to the police pound
and face a substantial fine. Most
Provençal towns have pay and
display machines (horodateurs)
and parking is often time limited.
Many places offer free parking
from noon to 2pm – ticket Mountain bikes are ideal for exploring the Provençal countryside
machines automatically allow
for this. Ensure you have enough high­pollution vehicles will be Hailing a taxi is not customary
coins for the meter or purchase banned on peak pollution days. in Provence – you must go to
a parking card, which are Paris was the first city to introduce a taxi rank or book by phone.
available from the tabacs. this system, with other major
French cities set to follow.
Hitchhiking and
Petrol Carpooling
Cycling
Petrol is relatively expensive in Hitchhiking is possible in France,
France, especially on autoroutes. Cycling is one of the most although officially it is frowned
Large supermarkets and hyper­ pleasant ways to see Provence. upon. You are not supposed to
markets sell petrol at a discount, Although there are few cycle hitch on the motorways and if
however the pay booths may lanes in towns in Provence, some you do you will be cautioned
close over lunch and the auto­ cities, such as Arles, Avignon by the police. Carpooling
matic pumps only accept carte and Nîmes, have specified cycle schemes such as BlaBlaCar
bleue (French bank cards). A map routes. You can take bikes on (www.blablacar.fr) are also
issued by French Government certain trains – check the time­ becoming increasingly popular.
Tourist offices (see p237) indicates table first for the bike symbol
the cheaper petrol stations (see p248). You can also reserve
situated up to 2 km (just over bicycles at several stations (Train Coach and Bus Travel
a mile) from motorway exits. + Velo). Rental shops can be Coach travel used to be the
Unleaded petrol (sans plomb) found throughout the region, cheapest way of getting to
and diesel fuel are found in all especially in the Luberon and Provence, but reductions in air
stations. LPG gas is also available, in towns around the Camargue, fares have now made it a less
often on motorways. A map which rent out mountain bikes competitive option. It is, however,
of locations stocking this fuel (VTT). Bicycle theft is common VTT). Bicycle theft is common VTT one of the more environmentally
can be obtained from any LPG along the Côte d’Azur – make friendly ways to travel and will
station in France. Note that in sure you are fully insured before take you directly from city centre
rural areas petrol stations can be you go. Best of all, Provence is to city centre. Eurolines (see
hard to find, so ensure you have now following the initiative of p251) coaches depart all year
enough petrol for your journey. Paris in introducing a free bike round from London to Nîmes,
As per the anti­pollution rules scheme in cities such as Marseille Toulon, Marseille, Aix­en­
in place in France, Crit’Air (www. and Nice. Enquire at the tourist Provence and Avignon. The
certificat­air.gouv.fr) stickers office for bike locations. journey to Marseille takes
should be displayed on the about 23 hours from London.
windscreen of your vehicle, and Larger towns have a bus
Taxis station but, otherwise, the bus
Prices vary from one part services are limited. SNCF runs
of Provence to another. bus lines in northern Provence,
The charges are predict­ and private companies run
ably highest along the along the major motorways
Côte d’Azur, where it’s between towns and on some
not uncommon to pay minor routes, such as the
€30 for a 20­minute coastal road between Toulon
journey. Elsewhere the and St­Tropez. Local bus ­Tropez. Local bus ­
pick
pick
pick­­up charge is usually services are notoriously erratic.
around €2, and €0.60 or Long distance cut­rate
more for every kilometre. coach companies such as
An extra charge will be Ouibus, Isilines and FlixBus
made for any luggage. are beginning to develop
All taxis must use a domestically, and operate
Taxis lined up for business at a taxi rank, Marseille meter, or a compteur. routes linking major cities.