Bojitoes Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Hi We have just booked our ferry to Bilbao for st April. Plan is to go to Valencia for a friends birthday for a week and then head either further down south or back to France to explore there whichever weather forecast is best. We will decide which direction when we are there but want to have a few ideas of places to visit in southern France as other than Lourdes , Lyon and Oradour we do not know that area well.; churches, pretty villages, culture etc, we are not beach people! We have in the past been experienced travellers to Spain but have not been there for about 4 years, with my new knee I am raring to go again!! We are wondering if any driving regulations, necessary documentation requirements have changed since we last went? Any update appreciated. We are coming back from Caen in early May but with no thoughts as to route, stopping places as yet. We have the Acsi book and access to search for sites so intend to mix our stay between sites and aires. Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMP Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 You are probably aware of this - but just in case! If you are a glasses wearer, you need to carry a spare set in Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 https://about-spain.net/mobile/no-tolls-m.htm https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm A few different links I available, I use an MMM one from a few years ago, but this is another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinP Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 On the positive side several long stretches of motorways are now toll free since you last went to Spain. Including the AP7. B-) B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 April is a bit early to plan on coming back thru France You really need to check French weather while in Valencia. Carcasonne worth a look and several stops along the canal du Midi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyLou Posted January 15, 2020 Share Posted January 15, 2020 We were in France last April and we did notice that a lot of things were closed. They don't seem to get going until early June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennya Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 I live in France during the winter and can definitely vouch for the fact that nothing much opens until June with regard to camp sites. There are of course the amazing aires you can use and the weather will be ok in May, but not as good as Spain obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cattwg Posted January 16, 2020 Share Posted January 16, 2020 Check to see if an International Driving Permit is required for France after 31st January. Probably not as the transition period will be operational but worth checking. Don't forget most main roads in France now have 80kph speed limits. Cattwg :-D Similarly with the Green Card for Spain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 Cattwg - 2020-01-16 11:01 AM.................Don't forget most main roads in France now have 80kph speed limits. Minor correction :-) It is not just main roads, it is ALL two lane roads (i.e. not dual carriageways with a central barrier/reservation, or motorways) - unless a different speed limit is indicated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 Brian Kirby - 2020-01-17 1:12 PM Minor correction :-) It is not just main roads, it is ALL two lane roads (i.e. not dual carriageways with a central barrier/reservation, or motorways) - unless a different speed limit is indicated. France is raising speed limits again just to add some confusion the choice of where is now with their departments instead of central government https://tinyurl.com/rbwlrox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboyprowler Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 It's worth checking the latest minor driving rules in Spain. Things like driving with open back sandals, having dogs on harnesses and open cans of drink in the cab! It can be a pain, but worth thinking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojitoes Posted January 18, 2020 Author Share Posted January 18, 2020 Thank you for the tips, I had certainly forgotten about the change in speed limits1 Thanks Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 witzend - 2020-01-17 9:59 PM Brian Kirby - 2020-01-17 1:12 PM Minor correction :-) It is not just main roads, it is ALL two lane roads (i.e. not dual carriageways with a central barrier/reservation, or motorways) - unless a different speed limit is indicated. France is raising speed limits again just to add some confusion the choice of where is now with their departments instead of central government https://tinyurl.com/rbwlrox Thanks for that. Best advice for now? Keep yer eyes peeled! Oh bliss! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletguy Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 flyboyprowler - 2020-01-18 7:21 AM It's worth checking the latest minor driving rules in Spain. Things like driving with open back sandals, having dogs on harnesses and open cans of drink in the cab! It can be a pain, but worth thinking about. Must admit (from experience! :$ ) that in bold makes sense as petty as it might seem. Better in bare feet than flip flops though i use sandals which fasten at both toe and ankle in summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laimeduck Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Bulletguy - 2020-01-18 2:39 PM flyboyprowler - 2020-01-18 7:21 AM It's worth checking the latest minor driving rules in Spain. Things like driving with open back sandals, having dogs on harnesses and open cans of drink in the cab! It can be a pain, but worth thinking about. Must admit (from experience! :$ ) that in bold makes sense as petty as it might seem. Better in bare feet than flip flops though i use sandals which fasten at both toe and ankle in summer. Always drive in bare feet when weather is half decent in Europe. Much more comfortable I find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtravel Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 IMP - 2020-01-15 9:14 AM You are probably aware of this - but just in case! If you are a glasses wearer, you need to carry a spare set in Spain. There are different interpretations, those who consider them mandatory, those who only recommend them. However, remember that in Spain you should have two emergency triangles. In the event of a stop, one must be placed behind the vehicle and one in front of it. The distance should be approximately 100 meters. Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niktam Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Having driven in Spain for many years roundabouts are a delight. We are taught in the UK if you are taking the third exit off a roundabout you should be in the outside lane(actually next to the roundabout) then signal and peel off etc. In Spain they are taught to keep in the nearside lane next to the kerb (which we would expect them to go off at exit one or straight on . If you hit them it's your fault. The golden rule.Just expect them to take any junction as they won't signal anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 I'm not sure Spain is any worse in that respect than France, Portugal, or Italy. Many European countries have been late adopters of roundabouts, and the default "Priority on the Right" rule, that is widespread across the continent, introduced an obvious conflict when applied to roundabouts, so then had to be cancelled at entry points. Many on the continent have been taught to indicate right turn on entry, and then indicate left turn if they are continuing round (often avoiding the left hand lane on the roundabout, which was "reserved" for the semi-trailers of articulated trucks), indicating right turn again to exit. More recently qualified drivers have been taught different roundabout conventions to earlier qualified drivers, and because of the size of continental countries, and their relatively low population densities, many drivers who are "out of area", especially in rural areas, are surprised to encounter roundabouts. Confusion abounds. So, many still navigate the roundabout entirely in the right hand lane and only indicate at exits, and many others don't indicate at all. Numerous French drivers also exit right in the left lane so as to overtake traffic in the right hand lane as they exit. It's different, and it can be impossible to "read" which exit any given driver intends taking as they approach on your left. But, wouldn't it be boring were it otherwise? :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 One more thing occurs. When you get to a "STOP" sign, you must stop before proceeding, even if you can see that the road ahead is clear. It is a legal requirement to do so in France, and if you are spotted by the police treating a STOP as a give way, you are liable to a ticking off or a fine. The wheels of your vehicle must actually stop rotating for a second or so before you proceed. "Cedez le passage" is the equivalent of "give way", and as in UK, you may proceed without stopping if safe to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboyprowler Posted January 18, 2020 Share Posted January 18, 2020 Brian Kirby - 2020-01-18 7:08 PM One more thing occurs. When you get to a "STOP" sign, you must stop before proceeding, even if you can see that the road ahead is clear. It is a legal requirement to do so in France, and if you are spotted by the police treating a STOP as a give way, you are liable to a ticking off or a fine. The wheels of your vehicle must actually stop rotating for a second or so before you proceed. "Cedez le passage" is the equivalent of "give way", and as in UK, you may proceed without stopping if safe to do so. In Spain, the rule is to STOP for a minimum of 4 seconds, with the handbrake on! My wife was fined, and although she stopped, the policeman said she hadn't stopped for long enough. Also, if you are at a "T" junction, traffic turning left has the right of way. So, you get the picture, someone is giving way to you, and you are waiting your 4 seconds, so the other guy moves, and bang, it happens a lot!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicepix Posted January 19, 2020 Share Posted January 19, 2020 Brian Kirby - 2020-01-18 8:01 PM I'm not sure Spain is any worse in that respect than France, Portugal, or Italy. Many European countries have been late adopters of roundabouts, and the default "Priority on the Right" rule, that is widespread across the continent, introduced an obvious conflict when applied to roundabouts, so then had to be cancelled at entry points. Many on the continent have been taught to indicate right turn on entry, and then indicate left turn if they are continuing round (often avoiding the left hand lane on the roundabout, which was "reserved" for the semi-trailers of articulated trucks), indicating right turn again to exit. More recently qualified drivers have been taught different roundabout conventions to earlier qualified drivers, and because of the size of continental countries, and their relatively low population densities, many drivers who are "out of area", especially in rural areas, are surprised to encounter roundabouts. Confusion abounds. So, many still navigate the roundabout entirely in the right hand lane and only indicate at exits, and many others don't indicate at all. Numerous French drivers also exit right in the left lane so as to overtake traffic in the right hand lane as they exit. It's different, and it can be impossible to "read" which exit any given driver intends taking as they approach on your left. But, wouldn't it be boring were it otherwise? :-D In France Indicators are actually Confirmators. They only put them on after completing the manoeuvre just yo confirm that they actually meant to do it. As Brian says any vehicle entering a roundabout can and will leave it at some point. But don't rely on the flashing amber lights for any clue as when that will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinzia Posted January 19, 2020 Share Posted January 19, 2020 Hi Bob if you are planning to do some stops between Bilbao and Valencia, I would recommend Zaragoza and Teruel, which are more or less on the way. Both well worth a visit! We also loved Cuenca and la Ciudad Encantada, but that means a diversion of around 150 km. We travelled from Germany (Munich) to Malaga two years ago, you might be interested in our "off-the-beaten-track" itinerary: https://cinziasblog.travel.blog/tag/spain/ Have a good day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMP Posted January 19, 2020 Share Posted January 19, 2020 Downloaded your route, many thanks. Great little campsite at Albarracin and also a larger one at Cuenca. - both full service. No pool in albarracin, but there is a municipal one just down the road. Large pool at Cuenca. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboyprowler Posted January 19, 2020 Share Posted January 19, 2020 Great aire in Jaca (free if you can get in) and another just south in Sabinanigo 5€ collected by the police, and we got full TV on our dish! Both just south of the Somprt tunnel if you are heading that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojitoes Posted January 20, 2020 Author Share Posted January 20, 2020 Thank you for all the responses, certainly a few things I had forgotten and a few new items as well. We are going to Bilbao and then heading to Valencia with a sn overnight stop at either Haro or Zaragoza, both of which we have stayed several times before and love. Not sure about the return joourney through France yet but then again we wont decide that until we are in Spain. Any more thoughts please keep them coming! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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