For the information of those intending to come to France during the winter period, there are new regulations in regard to snow chains etc for certain regions. Translation of part:

"From 2021, each year, during the winter period (extending from November 1 to March 31), it will be compulsory to equip your vehicle with winter tires or to have snow chains or socks, in certain towns in the mountain ranges. (Alps, Corsica, Massif Central, Jura massif, Pyrenees, Vosges massif).
Why this new regulation?

The objective of these new regulations is to enhance user safety by reducing the specific risks associated with driving on snowy or icy roads.
It is also a matter of avoiding blocking situations in mountainous regions, when unequipped vehicles find themselves across the tracks, unable to free themselves, immobilizing an entire axis of traffic.

All four-wheeled vehicles and more are affected by this regulatory change: light vehicles, utility vehicles, buses and heavy goods vehicles.

New signs will inform you of entry into a compulsory equipment area. In the absence of snow or ice, removable devices - chains or snow socks - are kept on board the vehicle.
What are the affected areas?"

The French Government website shows the relevant areas covered by the new regulations in blue:

https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/chac...e/nouveaux John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT
2003 Discovery TD5 Auto, Nanocom Evolution - gone to a new home!
MasseyFerguson 152 - No electronics!! - Sold

Thank you, John - this is good info.

The in-laws are in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, so this new requirement affects us when we head up at Xmas.

Although they don't live in a snowy area perse, we do have to cross the border which is marked as affected. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

They are kind of phasing it in. Until November 1, 2024, you can get away with just "M+S" markings as winter tyres, which some FFRR tyres will be. After that they are insisting on the 3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake symbol for proper winter tyres.

I wish Spain would do something similar, the amount of jokers we get in Andorra up for the weekend from Barcelona causing problems drives me nuts. It would be OK if they gave up before they got stuck in the middle of the road.

Proper 3PMSF tyres are great - I've still never had to actually fit my chains - clearly I'm not trying hard enough