never had a problem in france camping. but I would advise against leaving $700 in the corner if you hook up with a girlfriend...

but the usual applies, don't take stuff you can't replace. and if you have to, keep it on you (I'm thinking passport, money, cards, camera). this not only applies to theft, but also downpours.

between london and france you have enough time to learn the basic questions:

I would like to eat something
I would like a coffee/
I would like another one
Do you have a room/camping for one person, for one night
Where is the nearest petrol/bank/hotel/camping/etc

a french guy in the UK would get no-where speaking french, it's only manners to do the same there.

really do remember about riding on the right. especially first thing in the morning, after you get fuel, after you get lost, etc, etc.

| | ride -> |
| | ride -> | (on your tank if needed)
| | ride -> |

Enjoy your trip on the little Honda, you will be fine, I,ve never had any security probs in France in 30 yrs of touring.
Usual rules apply, would you park your bike at this place in the UK?
Would you pull out a lot of cash if you were at home?
Campsites,Hm? pal up the people on the next pitch, but carry your cash.

A tip for the new, ------Put a coloured elastic band round your twistgrip, the band should then always be next to the kerb.(remember to take it off when you get back)Pete

There are a lot off campingplaces in France.
But do not take a free camping.
I had problems on it.
But there are motorcampings, only for motorbikes..
They are mostly very good and they speak English to.
And most of the owners know the best road to drive in the neighberhood.
Have fun.

A 250 Superdream! fantastic, somebody after my own heart! I'm going down to the alps, probably in July, on a 1977 400/4. If you stay off the motorways you'll have a great time. I'd suggest you take some good maps though as it's not so easy to avoid the motorways at times. All the signs seem to point to them and the little town you're looking for is never mentioned.

Camping with a bike is a great way to travel in France. As others have said bikes are appreciated and there are campsites everywhere. Google the Castels campsites to see how good they can get - in the grounds of chateaux etc.

The guys above have given you great advice, and I can't add to that really. Just be confident, you'll be fine. So is your bike, so no worries there.

In a way you're going home, because France, under the Normans, occupied most of this island for a long time and your language is around 30% of Norman/French origins. Result! You're on your way!

I can't remember if it's been mentioned - you must carry your ORIGINAL VO5 and VALID insurance docs. The cops can take your bike from you till you produce them. I've always found French cops OK incidentally. Wild camping is great in France, just exercise the usual discretion and a cloak of invisibility! I have a different view from Jurgen on this one. Also that comment on roundabouts - I havent come across this slippy issue at all, in many years riding in France. Still! always a first time. I think you'll find French roads MUCH better than UK roads.

I agree with someone - Speedferries is usually your cheapest and quickest crossing - Dover - Boulogne.

Bonne route!
PS
Oh yes - dont try your credit card in 24 hour automatic petrol pumps - it wont work. You can use it however, if there's an attendant, in the usual way.

Good point, Caminando.

A lot of petrol stations are closed Sundays. You may need to rely on the kindness of locals and pay them cash so you can fill up on their card.

Yes, I've been caught out by that in Boulogne after arriving with an empty tank to take advantage of that cheap French fuel (those were the days - all of 2 yrs ago!). The automated filling station would not take my UK visa card and for the life of me I could not remember the pin for my Carte Bleu. No problem, I'll phone my wife and she'll tell me the Carte Bleu number. No answer!
Eventually I did get a local to buy me 5L for cash, but I speak reasonable French so it might have been a bit more difficult as a first timer.
A case of familiarity breeding contempt is the moral of the story I suppose.

This was true on my old cards, but since last year my new chip and pin cards have worked every where I have tried ( admittedly only 3 times) this is Verdun and both my local supermarkets 24hr pumps. It may well be patchy tho.. I did mnot expectthe card to work in verdun, I was on my way back from teh diesel bike rally in germany and wanted to continue. I saw a load of bikers in the closed hypermarket car park, and thought .,, " If I go through the motions of usingthe card, one of them will buy petrol for me and i can give them the money" French bikers are very helpful to one another. But it worked, and away i went.
two kinds of Visa card, one just visa, the other a visa debit card.

You will be able to "borrow" some good Michelin maps from your local library, oldsomeman. You may need to get them on "extended loan" or leave details with somebody so they may be renewed on-line for you if necessary.

Bon voyage.

once again thank you for your wonderful advice.its nice to know there are folks who have 'done it before '.
Now all i want to do is persuade a guy i know who has a full fairing to fit a honda superdream to part with it.otherwise into the breeze i go lol

Great advice, can't add much at all. LEARN SOME French .... wish I had!
Following town names is EXCELLENT advice.

Peage speeds are FAST!! but more polite drivers than UK going round round abouts and they NEVER pull out on you.

I loved it, if I could afford it, I"d be there NOW. May is a GREAT time to go!
If not May, then mid September.

I loved the south and the Pyrennes. Dip into Spain maybe? Easy and worth it. Never seen the north.

Did you all know the French buy Five Times as many bikes as the UK?
Great dealers all over the country. Need gear? Try Andorra or head into Spain. Half the price of the UK. (ref. 2003)



Carrcosonne


France Tiger

__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

There's been a comment in the website feedback forum about no page for France in the countries database.

There's loads of good information here in this thread, so I will - asap - put a page together from it. YOU can help by:

If you have some info, please put it in a post with a clear title/heading that will make it easy for me to create a page with all the details. The better it's edited/written to start with the quicker I can post it.

All info appreciated!

thanks, Grant

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

it's the (EU?) law that you must have your headlight on always (day and night). €45 fine a couple of years ago, probably more now. Cops will pull you for it in France.

ACCESS TO FRANCE FROM UK. - I find that the best is by Speedferries, the high speed catamaran. They are also usually the cheapest in this very expensive ripoff channel crossing. The aluminium ramps can be slippy when wet, so be careful. Take a straight line when on the ramp. The ferry has a roomy disabled toilet for changing in/out of your bike gear.

FRENCH ROADS ARE GREAT

Cars will move for you- thank them with a wave of your right foot or they will think you are a rude Rosbeef football lout.

THE PEAGE OR TOLL SYSTEM

A bike costs about 50% less than a car. There are one or two escape holes but I cant tell you where or you'll all be at it. Initially, finding the holes was like Steve McQueen in "the Great Escape".... difficult with alloy boxes.

EATING

My choices are - to stop at a s/mkt (Auchan, Carrefour) and buy loads of great French food and drink to have down the road a bit, under a tree, beside a river, whatever. Or some s/mkts have restos attached, like Casino or Flunch. You can eat well and cheaply there. I park my bike against the window for security.

Oh yes. s/mkts like to take your helmet from you as folks use them for theft. Leave them at the security desk.

FRENCH COPS

are usually ok, tho' I have enough French to assure them that I dont deserve a ticket (PV). However, if youre in the Le Mans area for the 24 hour races, then expect to be stopped and breathalysed at any time, including early in the morning. On a lighter (?) note, a recent leaflet urged bikers to leave at home all " hammers, clubs, knives, axes and chainsaws" - it's not Ripley, is it? Respect the speed limits in villages as they deserve to cross the road safely. Also cops can lurk in bushes with radar guns, and also on the autoroute south from Calais, hiding in service exits.

Carry your VO5 and insurance docs or the cops can impound your bike till you produce them.

Headlamps obligatory in daylight.

CAMPING

I find that France has the best wild/free camping I've ever found. I also use the "Aire de Repos", those great big laybys with trees and bushes. They have water, toilets, and woods to camp in if you follow the usual procedure of being discrete and invisible. Cover your bike. I also use a movement sensor alarm for the tent area, but there has never been a problem. Some Aires have restos but they also have the trees etc. If an Aire doesnt suit , then the next one is only 20 -30kms down the road. I have had memorable mornings there - deer grazing thru the misty forest etc. (The extra deer business is free for Contributing Members).
If you need a cheap hotel, try Formule Un or Hotel Etap. You pay about 30 Euros for a 3 bed room.

If in Chartres (and you cant miss that) I suggest the Youth Hostel (Auberge de Jeunesse) - a great building with a fantastic view of the fantastic cathedral. The hostel is owned by the town so just roll up - no card needed. Chartres is not to be missed, even by leathery old atheists like me. Not far up the road via Dreux and near Vernon, you have the pleasure of Monet's Water Garden - a wonderful place. Only 5 euros to get in.

PETROL

There may be a recent change which allows non French credit cards to be used in 24 hr Automatic petrol stations. But you can use them at any manned station now for sure. If you're stuck at a 24 hr, wait till someone comes, offer your money first and ask for a fill. Learn the phrase for this. Learn it well.

PEOPLE

The French are generally nice people. The Scots for hundreds of years have had good relations with France and the Continent (Le Vieux Alliance etc) so are sometimes a little more welcome. Likewise Canadians for obvious reasons. But the French are a welcoming race to all.

FINALLY - if you have a Horizons sticker on your bike, than clean your teeth to sparkling standard, wash once a week even if its not necessary, comb that horrible helmet hair, and be on your best behaviour.

Learn some French.