we'll be based in avignon and will be driving to the sorrounding areas.
do you have tips on how to be safe while driving in the area, including any tips on understanding road signs. are they confusing?
tips on avoiding getting lost?
we already have a michelin map and will also get gps.
we're from the US.
thanking you in advance for responses!
edit: thank you all!!!
edit2: I really appreciate all the responses! Thanks so much !!!
The biggest thing to be aware of is the highways are not designated as N, S, E, W - instead use a distant town or city to denote its direction so becoming familiar with the towns on your route helps tremendously - even if it is just to confirm GPS is on right track.
There are several websites with pictures (that one is pretty good) and English descriptions of the various road signs - some of the pictograms are a little confusing so become a little familiar with them as well.
All in all it is not difficult - enjoy your trip!
One road sign that can be confusing in Franch towns is the direction sign saying "Toutes Directions". This literally means "all directions" and it means that this is the quickest way to reach a main road, if you want to go to a distant destination.
The link by Christi is a good one. Be sure to scroll down towards the bottom to the section called Priorité à Droite - right-of-way to cars entering from the right. That concept is critical to understand and integrate into your French driving.
It's pretty easy for the most part. I found everything fairly easy to understand. I actually really like the traffic circles as you can go around a second time and make sure you understand which way to turn.
The one thing that I thing is important to know is that if you use the A routes (highways), the far left lane is for passing ONLY. While we call it a passing lane in the US, people continually drive in the far left lane. In France, if you drive in the left lane you will have very angry motorists around you on the road. Use the lane to pass and get back over as soon as possible!
Watch out for the car-eating bollards--they're often low, at corners, and almost in the road, where they're difficult to see. It's easy to scrape the side of the car on them. On one Provence drive, I was glad I had CDW coverage.
All great advice above. I drove in Provence this year and found it not only easy but fun! French drivers do like to go fast and will get right up on your tail if you're going the speed limit but don't let that intimidate you or make you feel like you have to go over the speed limit. They will pass you the second they have an opportunity. And definitely look out for the signs warning you that there are speed cameras coming up. You don't want to return home to an expensive speeding ticket. Always go the speed limits, which are pretty clearly marked.
A GPS is invaluable, I couldn't imagine not having one there. It's pretty hard to get lost with one but sometimes the GPS will recognize a roundabout turnoff that's not an actual road so my lady would say "Take the fifth exit off the roundabout" and there was no fifth exit. That's why it always helps to at least have a rough idea of your route before you leave and know the direction off the roundabout you need to go. But it is a fun, easy and beautiful place to drive. Have a great time!
Even with GPS get a good regional map with good detail and work out your route the night before. The D roads are good, fun to drive, scenic, and will take you through the smaller villages. N roads are more direct routes and also good. I used the A roads only when I wanted to go a longer distance in a shorter time, such as a day trip to Cassis. Driving in France is pretty easy, a lot like driving in the US, especially when compared to driving in the UK. The French do love to tailgate, and do watch out for motorcycles - they tend to sneak up on you.
A couple of points if you do any autoroute driving:
Your American credit cards probably won't work for paying tolls. Some exits have no manned lanes, so keep a ready supply of cash on hand. The machines will accept up to 20 euro bills, and they do give change. The icons above the lanes are pretty clear. Be sure to avoid the ones for owners of transponders (forget what they're called in French). Otherwise, we found driving easy, signage clear, and other drivers rather law-abiding.
Keep lots of change in the car as there are Toll Roads. Not sure about around Avignon in particular but better safe then sorry.
Don't drink and drive. You may get away with one glass of wine or one beer but the French are much stricter regarding drinking and driving, despite that fact that they seem to drink with every meal. When we drove around for a week in Provence it was noy unusual to see couples sharing a half-bottle of wine with dinner, or even a glass. Watch roundabouts (traffic circles). For the majority, if you are entering, the cars in the circle have the right of way and you must wait until it's clear. You will likely have a familiar yield sign. There are some old ones, very very few, where the opposite is true. Knowing the name of the next town on your route is critical as there will be a myriad of signs in the roundabout. It was not unusual for us to circle twice. I think we set a record on one (6 times) trying to get from Lourmarin to Aix. Have fun, and make getting lost part of that!
