Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
west of Calais. High-season return for car and passengers around £200; for motorcycle
and rider, around £80. There are numerous online promotional fares. Advance reserva-
tions are required for discounted fares. Note: LPG and CNG tanks are not permitted, and
campers and caravans must take ferries.
BRINGING YOUR OWN VEHICLE
To bring your own vehicle, you'll need registration papers, unlimited third-party (liability)
insurance and a valid driving licence. In the UK, contact
RAC
( 08705 722 722;
www.rac.co.uk
)
or
AA
( 0870 600 0371;
www.theaa.com
)
for advice. In other coun-
tries, contact your local automobile association.
Vehicles entering France must display a sticker identifying country of registration.
Right-hand-drive vehicles from UK or Ireland must have headlight deflectors to correct
the beam's angle, and not blind oncoming traffic. A reflective breakdown triangle and
emergency vest must be carried in your car.
DRIVING LICENCE & DOCUMENTATION
All drivers must carry national ID card or passport; valid driving licence (
permis de con-
duire;
most foreign licences can be used for up to one year); car-ownership papers, called
carte grise
(grey card); and proof of third-party (liability) insurance. If you're stopped by
police and lack documents, you risk on-the-spot fines.
Train
Thomas Cook's
European Rail Timetable
(€15), available at Thomas Cook offices and
online (
www.thomascookpublishing.com
)
, lists train schedules.
The website
The Man in Seat 61
(
www.seat61.com
)
lists timetables and excellent tips.
Rail Europe
( in Canada 1 800 361 7245, in the UK 0844 848 5848, in the USA 1
800 622 8600;
www.raileurope.com
)
provides good telephone assistance in North Amer-
ica, ideal for first-timers who want help booking.
FROM THE REST OF FRANCE
You can set your watch by France's ultra-efficient trains, operated by state-owned
Société
Nationale des Chemins de Fer Français
(SNCF;
www.sncf.com
)
- but its telephone cus-
tomer service is not effective and it charges you by the minute. Best to book online, or
queue patiently at stations or in-town SNCF ticket centres (
boutiques
). SNCF has confus-
ing online sites: the easiest for timetables, fares and reservations is
www.voyages-
