Page 270 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

268  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Brittany by Road

Brittany has an excellent road network. Roads linking its
major towns and cities include motorways, which are toll-
free, and fast dual carriageways. By taking the region’s
minor roads, however, visitors will discover picturesque
villages and remote places of interest. Many of the coastal
roads command spectacular views.

Arriving by Car or Coach What You Need
Several motorways (autoroutes) All EU car insurance policies
lead into Brittany. The A10–A11 include minimum third-party A minor road in Brittany with a magnificent
is the main highway from Paris cover. However, it is strongly view of the sea
to Nantes. Nantes is also the advisable to have wider cover
main junction point for motor- too. For holders of fully Headlights of right-hand-drive
ways from southern France. At comprehensive car insurance, cars should have deflectors
Le Mans, the A81 branches off most companies provide full fitted for driving on the right,
the A10–A11 to Rennes. The European cover for a small extra and you must carry spare
A84 runs down to Rennes from fee; some do not charge for this headlight bulbs, a red warning
Caen, where it connects with at all but still require you to triangle, a high-visibility jacket
motorways from northern notify them before travelling. to be worn in case of an
France. It takes 3–4 hours to An international Green Card accident or breakdown and a
drive from Paris to Rennes confirming your car is insured breath alyser kit. This equipment
(350 km/217 miles). From there is no longer a legal requirement, can be bought at all ferry ports
to western Brittany it takes but it is still useful to have; most and on board ferries.
another 2–3 hours. companies issue them when
There are quite a few car-ferry you obtain European cover.
services to Brittany from several It is also advisable to have Roads and Tolls
ports in the UK and Ireland (see breakdown cover with one Most motorways in France
pp270–1). You can also take a of the Europe-wide networks. charge tolls, but in Brittany all
car in the Eurotunnel between This can be arranged through roads are toll-free, including
Folkestone and Sangatte, near a motoring organization such highways that are motorway-
Calais. The tunnel and the as the AA or RAC or via your standard (such as the N12
Dover–Calais ferries are cheaper insurance broker. Rennes–Morlaix–Brest and
than direct ferries to Brittany, When driving in France, it is the N165 Nantes–Vannes–
but you will face a long drive compulsory to have the original Quimper–Brest). Heading
to your destination. registration document for the into Brittany, tolls end at Caen,
Eurolines provides coach car, a current insurance Laval and Nantes.
services to Rennes and Nantes certificate and your driving There is also an efficient
direct from the UK and other licence. You should also carry network of major roads (routes
countries, with more connections a passport or ID card. The car’s nationales) between the main
via Paris; its domestic subsidiary country of registration should towns, as well as more scenic
Isilines offers connections to be displayed on a sticker or as minor roads (routes
towns all over France. part of the licence plate. départementales). Roads from
central France become
congested on summer
weekends and at the beginning
and end of the summer holidays
(around mid-July and towards
the end of August). Inside
Brittany, traffic also builds up
in peak season around the most
popular resorts, such as Carnac.
For most of the year, though,
road congestion is rare outside
of a few cities, and even in
summer country and coastal
roads can be pretty quiet.
For more information on all
aspects of driving in France,
visit the website of Bison Futé
The island of Belle-Île, accessible to motorists by car-ferry or Autoroute.

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