Difference between revisions of "France"
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==Péages== | ==Péages== | ||
| − | [[Image:peage.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:peage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A typical big péage in France]] |
| − | + | A '''péage''' is a tollway in France. They are often placed near cities on autoroutes (motorways). At some péages all the traffic has to stop and pay and are excellent spots to get a long-distance ride. You can get free maps in the péage offices - these also indicate where you can find "all-stop-péages". | |
| − | + | [[Image:Derek_hitching_at_péage.jpg|thumb|left|175px|Derek hitching at a péage near [[Valence]]]] | |
| + | ===Getting a Ride=== | ||
| + | * You can thumb immediately after the péage; | ||
| + | * If you prefer a direct approach you can dash across the lanes one at a time until you're at a busy lane and stand next to the toll machine and talk to drivers when they stop to pay (as pictured to left); | ||
| + | * You can wait before the péage, just where the drivers choose their lane. There is mostly enough space for cars to pull over here. | ||
| − | + | Some péages are really good, some not so good. If you've been waiting for a while with destination sign, drop it and try with your thumb only. Also, you can try to get a ride to the next good spot in the wrong direction. | |
| − | + | ===Legality=== | |
| − | + | There are no prohibitions about hitching in France, apart from the restricted access roads, i.e. expressways and motorways. Péages are also considered part of the motorway, and normally one is not allowed to solicit rides there. However, this is not really enforced and since 2004, [[User:Daniel|Daniel]], was only told once to get off the tollbooth and ask for a ride on the parking nearby (what was difficult because there was no services except toilets). But the risk is relatively low. | |
==Language== | ==Language== | ||
Revision as of 20:20, 28 April 2007
France is a great country for hitchhiking. There are many friendly car and truck drivers. The highways cost money, and at some péages (toll points) you can get a ride easily.
Contents
Péages
A péage is a tollway in France. They are often placed near cities on autoroutes (motorways). At some péages all the traffic has to stop and pay and are excellent spots to get a long-distance ride. You can get free maps in the péage offices - these also indicate where you can find "all-stop-péages".
Getting a Ride
- You can thumb immediately after the péage;
- If you prefer a direct approach you can dash across the lanes one at a time until you're at a busy lane and stand next to the toll machine and talk to drivers when they stop to pay (as pictured to left);
- You can wait before the péage, just where the drivers choose their lane. There is mostly enough space for cars to pull over here.
Some péages are really good, some not so good. If you've been waiting for a while with destination sign, drop it and try with your thumb only. Also, you can try to get a ride to the next good spot in the wrong direction.
Legality
There are no prohibitions about hitching in France, apart from the restricted access roads, i.e. expressways and motorways. Péages are also considered part of the motorway, and normally one is not allowed to solicit rides there. However, this is not really enforced and since 2004, Daniel, was only told once to get off the tollbooth and ask for a ride on the parking nearby (what was difficult because there was no services except toilets). But the risk is relatively low.
Language
Most of the French don't speak English. So have a map to show them, where you want to go. If you know any French word, use it! French people like it, if you try your best. Say "Bonjour Monsieur/Madame", to show that you are friendly. If you're heading to Germany, you maybe need to know that Germany is "Allemagne" in French.
Online maps
mappy is a good online map for France, it shows you (to) where you can take public transport.
License plates
French number plates end with the number of the département the car is registered in. For example, Parisian cars end with the number 75. See List of arrondissements of France and French vehicle registration plates at Wikipedia.
Cities
- Paris, the capital, hitching out of here is really difficult.
- Bordeaux
- Calais - the main ferryport to the British Islands.
- Dunkerque
- Lille
- Lyon
- Marseille
- Rennes
- Strasbourg
- Toulouse
- Montpellier
- Perpignan
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This article is a stub. This means that the information available to us is obviously insufficient. In these places little information is available or the description is severely outdated. If you have been there, whether hitchhiking, for travel or as part of an organized tour − be sure to extend this article! |
