My Son is off to study at Grenoble University for 4 months. He’s flying there on Monday but we need to then take a load of his stuff across in the FFRR in the next few weeks. Timing’s not great as it’s around half term time so I’m expecting to get clobbered on pricing. Hey Ho!!

Haven’t driven in France for over 20 years, so looking for any advice and tips on some or all of the following.

Crossings
Am thinking tunnel rather than ferry, as prefer to stay with car and also quicker and more convenient. Tunnel is about an hour from me. Will I need to book as an overheight vehicle? I think the standard height is barely enough for the L405 so don’t want to push my luck. Not fussed about time of crossing so would happily do very early mornings if that was easier and quieter. Website shows standard tickets as around £140 each way but is there a better option to buy bearing in mind we’ll need to go back and collect my Son when he finishes in June?

Entering France
Passports obviously but do we need any covid paperwork anymore? I’ve seen so much conflicting information but have all requirements now been lifted?

The FFRR
I know I need hi-viz jacket, warning triangle, GB/UK sticker and adjust the headlamps for driving on the right. Anything else?

Driving
There are the obvious documents like UK driving licence, V5, insurance but anything else?
It’s a long drive to Grenoble so intend to use the motorway network as much as possible. Is it worth getting a TAG and if so, which one? Eurotunnel recommend Emovis but is that usable on all tolls? If I don’t use a TAG can I pay with a contactless visa debit or will I need cash?

I think Grenoble might have one of those air quality zones. Do I need any additional documentation and does anyone know if they have anything similar to ULEZ with a daily charge?

Sorry about the long list, just want to avoid any silly errors and SWMBO tutting and telling me I didn’t do my homework……

Cheers
Rob 2021 D350 Fifty Edition - Carpathian Grey
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It might be worth getting a Crit'Air sticker you can get them here and it goes on the windscreen https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr also when I use the tunnel I buy Flexiplus tickets they are more expensive but it gets rid of most of the queues and there is a lounge to grab snacks for the journey included in the price.
Also make sure you have a few hundred Euros in cash just in case you are stopped for speeding (they like cash and its very painless)
Also worth using Waze on your phone it alerts to most cameras but if you are stopped dont have it visible on the phone
It is definitely getting a Tag Mine is with APRR no idea if it is a good deal or not but has been faultless for years and does a load of carparks as well
Sure others will be along with other advice but hope this helps

Meant to say I use the high vehicle route just because it is less claustrophobic SWMBO doesn't like the normal carriages

The Emovis tag works just fine.

European breakdown cover is a must.

No COVID paperwork required anymore. 2017 (67) Vogue SE Corinthian Grey

Thanks, useful stuff  2021 D350 Fifty Edition - Carpathian Grey
2017 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography (2021-2024) - Santorini Black
2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster (2016-2021) - Santorini Black

Sandyt wrote:

It might be worth getting a Crit'Air sticker you can get them here and it goes on the windscreen https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr

Quote:

I pay with a contactless visa debit or will I need cash?

you can pay all highways with contactless visa (not amex)

the shortest route will be via paris and the periphérique (be sure to be there when the parisians are not going to or leaving work i.e. after 10AM and before 4PM local)
then you aim with A6 for LYON (that would be a nice place to stop for a meal, I can provide recommendations) then another 1-2 hrs for Grenoble.
Grenoble is a ZFE but the restriction is only for lorries and delivery trucks and forbids Crit'Air 3, 4 et 5.

"L'interdiction de stationnement et de circulation dans 27 communes de la métropole grenobloise concerne à ce jour les véhicules utilitaires et poids lourds Crit'Air 3, 4 et 5."

the fine for not providing a critair sticker is 69 euros

here is where to order it https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/

have any other questions, feel free to ask

Cheers
Sylvain "it needs some intelligence to undestand you may not have enough"

In Lyon there are many places to eat, but if you're passing through and seek an experience, this is the place to eat https://www.brasseriegeorges.com/la-carte/menu-lyonnais/
you can park at Perrache railway station less than 100 yards from the restaurant... "it needs some intelligence to undestand you may not have enough"

ergobyte wrote:

the shortest route will be via paris and the periphérique (be sure to be there when the parisians are not going to or leaving work i.e. after 10AM and before 4PM local)
then you aim with A6 for LYON

Thanks

I think we'd be hitting Paris around 8am so probably a nightmare similar to how M25 is here

Interestingly Google maps shows a slightly shorter route avoiding Paris altogether, generally following A26-A5-A31-A6-A48 2021 D350 Fifty Edition - Carpathian Grey
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Just been checking out the handbook for how to adjust the headlights for LH drive and it states that the headlight design means no adjustment is required..........

Anyone with MY17 able to confirm this? 2021 D350 Fifty Edition - Carpathian Grey
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I've just driven down to Spain through France (not in my FFRR).

I applied for a Crit'Air sticker about a week before I travelled and they emailed me receipt along with a sticker within 24 hours. The actual sticker did not arrive before I left, but it says on the receipt to print the emailed sticker and put it on the windscreen.

Went through Rouen (which is supposedly a low emission zone) and there was no sign of any Crit'Air requirements.

As far as I'm aware there's no adjustment on a '17 FFRR to change the headlights to RH side. The manual for my old Evoque clearly stated that no adjustment was required, so I would expect my newer car to be the same. 2017 SDV8 Autobiography

Go overheight on the tunnel. Much more room for a big motor. I’d never take mine in normal class  Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
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Rob99 wrote:

Sandyt wrote:

It might be worth getting a Crit'Air sticker you can get them here and it goes on the windscreen https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr

Thanks Sandy.

SWMBO has now decided she wants us to go this week so there's no time to order one online. Is it possible to get a Crit'Air sticker when we're in France?

Rob99 wrote:

:

I think we'd be hitting Paris around 8am so probably a nightmare similar to how M25 is here

No need to go near Paris. South on A26 via Troyes, Reims and link up with the A5 etc John
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