London to Paris

ironman · 28 Dec 2011 at 23:22

Hi chaps,

Plan on driving from London to Paris on New Years Eve, has anyone done this journey before and if so, are there any tips? I've just booked hotel and also euro tunnel and am just updating my tomtom with European maps.

[TW]Fox · 28 Dec 2011 at 23:25

It's a 280 mile Motorway trip, what sort of tips do you want? Make sure you drive on the correct side of the road and keep a high vis in the car.

Just do a thread saying 'Hey guys I'm going to Paris for new years' and cut to the chase, you don't need tips on driving on a Motorway in France

Malt_Vinegar · 28 Dec 2011 at 23:26

Don't crash, and make sure you drive a car, not a carp.

Iceman · 28 Dec 2011 at 23:27

You need spare bulbs and possibly fuses also a warning triangle to drive in France too.

Housey · 28 Dec 2011 at 23:30

I'd not bother to drive unless I was planning to visit somewhere else afterwards.

ironman · 28 Dec 2011 at 23:59

I thought it may be pretty straight forward

Wizardskills · 29 Dec 2011 at 00:00

I think you will need those things you stick on the headlights to alter the angle they project at. If your car has Xenon I believe you should just need to flick a switch to have the same affect.

mjt · 29 Dec 2011 at 00:09

My advice would be to take the train.
However, if tickets are too much then I understand why you're driving. Have fun

Minstadave · 29 Dec 2011 at 01:51

I'm doing Derby to Paris on Friday, must remember to go buy all the bits from Halfords, had forgotten about the light deflectors!

Rotty · 29 Dec 2011 at 02:03

Minstadave said:
I'm doing Derby to Paris on Friday, must remember to go buy all the bits from Halfords, had forgotten about the light deflectors!

driven in France many times and never got any kit, then again suppose they could be awkward if you get stopped

Conscript · 29 Dec 2011 at 02:07

Driving to Paris is a doddle. Just leave Calais, get on the A26 to Arras, then join the A1 which takes you to Paris.

Driving in Paris might be another matter....

panthro · 29 Dec 2011 at 05:26

Its a pretty boring and uneventful journey. Definitely take the spare bulbs etc because if you do get pulled over without them they'll fine you.

neilus · 29 Dec 2011 at 08:34

Make sure you also have hi-vis jackets for everyone in the car and they should be stored in the cabin and not the boot.

Also, watch your speed - French police are hot on speeding especially in Northern France.

Dr House · 29 Dec 2011 at 08:44

Or just take the train

Trifid · 29 Dec 2011 at 08:49

Iceman said:
You need spare bulbs

I seem to remember you need to be able to change a bulb at the side of the road if it is blown not necessarily have the spare bulbs.

Also you need the high vis jacket inside the car (not boot).

Drivers licence (including counterpart, but a lot of the French don't know they exist), V5 and insurance documents. Don't forget a first aid kit.

Conanius · 29 Dec 2011 at 09:31

I'll drag this off topic a second.

It says about having spare bulbs or whatever, what the hell do you do if you have a car that needs the arch lining taking out to swap out the bulb?!

Malt_Vinegar · 29 Dec 2011 at 09:46

Conanius said:
I'll drag this off topic a second.

It says about having spare bulbs or whatever, what the hell do you do if you have a car that needs the arch lining taking out to swap out the bulb?!

Learn how to do it

Its odd that in my experience, Renault are one of the worst for difficult bulb replacements.

MeEsH BaKkA · 29 Dec 2011 at 11:31

Conanius said:
I'll drag this off topic a second.

It says about having spare bulbs or whatever, what the hell do you do if you have a car that needs the arch lining taking out to swap out the bulb?!

The gendarmes couldn't give a **** no bulbs euros will be exchanged.

POB · 29 Dec 2011 at 12:02

Its €20.40 each way in tolls.

thewanted · 29 Dec 2011 at 12:04

POB said:
Its €20.40 each way in tolls.

Do you have a link to a site that contains this info, or is it from personal experience?