Page 20 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

18 BACK ROADS FRANCE

Road Conditions
French roads, autoroutes in particular,
usually flow freely, but there are
exceptions. Try to avoid travelling
at French holiday rush periods
(grands départs). The worst times are
at week ends in mid-July, and at the
begin ning and end of August, when
holidays begin and end. Sunday is
usually a good day for long journeys,
as there are very few lorries on the
road. If you are bypassing Paris, Above Tourist map of the department of Aude
it is best to take motor ways on
either side of the city rather than road surfaces may have suffered car to use when doing so in icy
tackling the busy inner ring-road from the effects of a hard winter, but conditions. When diversions occur in
(boulevard péripherique). most are usually in good condition the mountains they can be lengthy,
Bison Futé is a government-run with crash barriers on the sharpest so make sure your tank is topped up
initiative to give travellers tips bends and passing points where the with fuel before setting off. In snowy
and alternative routes to avoid road is narrow. Drive slowly, approach conditions drive slowly, use a high
conges tion or heavy traffic. Look blind bends with caution; remember gear to prevent wheel spin, and try
out for their green signs, sometimes that it is accepted practice to sound to keep moving, even if very slowly,
short ened to “Bis”. A map of all your horn and listen for others doing to avoid loss of traction. If you have
their recom mended routes can be so. Ascending lorries may be very to park on a slope, do so facing
obtained from Maisons de la France slow, but remain patient and do not downhill (an uphill start in icy
(see p14) or from one of around 60 Bis try to overtake unless you can see a conditions is not advisable) and
offices all over France, and live traffic considerable way ahead. Only stop put the car into reverse gear once
infor mation is given in English on to admire a view when there is a the engine is switched off.
the Bison Futé website. CNIR (Centre designated viewpoint.
National d’Information Routière) also Taking a Break
gives general informa tion on road Driving in Winter French motorways have good
conditions in English. Local radio Local municipalities and the rest areas (aires) every 10–20 km
stations do the same in French – look autoroute organizations are remark- (6–12 miles). At the very least these
out for motorway signs listing their ably efficient in keeping roads free have toilets and picnic tables; many
frequencies. To get advance weather from snow and ice, preparing well in have play areas, nature walks, fine
warnings and forecasts in English for advance and sending gritters and views, or displays on local themes.
France, contact the Met Office. For snowploughs out day and night to In the south, some even have water-
an online weather fore cast, consult keep arterial roads clear. However, mist sprays to cool you down. Petrol
La Chaîne Météo. minor roads and Alpine passes may stations are located every 40 km
be closed completely, or only open (25 miles), with shops, restaurants
Mountain Roads to vehicles fitted with snow chains (often very good) and other facilities.
Getting to some of France’s most (chaînes). A blue sign (see back end-
spectacular locations and viewpoints paper) indicates where, in snowy Breakdown or Accident
will inevitably involve tackling some conditions, their use is obligatory. If your vehicle breaks down, try to
steep, narrow roads with hairpin Practise fitting them before you go, get it to as safe a place as possible.
bends and sheer drops. In spring, and keep an old pair of gloves in the Use your hazard warning lights. Put