|
Getting Around By Air
The main airline connecting towns and cities within France is Air France (www.airfrance.com).
Getting Around by Water
State-run car ferries known as ‘BACs' connect the larger islands on the Atlantic coast with the mainland; they also sail regularly across the mouth of the Gironde. The island of Corsica is served by ferries operated by the Société Nationale Maritime Corse-Mediterranée (SNCM) (tel: (0) 825 888 088; www.sncm.fr). Services run from Marseille and Nice to Ajaccio, Propriano, Porto Vecchio, Calvi, Ile Rousse and Bastia on the island.
There are almost 9,000km (5,600 miles) of navigable waterways in France, and all of these present excellent opportunities for holidays. The main canal areas are the north (north and northeast of Paris) where most of the navigable rivers are connected with canals; the Seine (from Auxerre to Le Havre, but sharing space with commercial traffic); the east, where the Rhine and Moselle and their tributaries are connected by canals; in Burgundy, where the Saône and many old and picturesque canals crisscross the region; the Rhône (a pilot is recommended below Avignon); the Midi (including the Canal du Midi, connecting the Atlantic with the Mediterranean); and Brittany and the Loire on the rivers Vilaine, Loire, Mayenne and Sarthe, and the connecting canals. Each of these waterways offers a magnificent variety of scenery, a means of visiting many historic towns, villages and sites and an opportunity to learn much about rural France, at a very leisurely pace. Cruising boats may be chartered with or without crews, ranging in size from the smallest cabin cruiser up to converted commercial barges (péniches), which can accommodate up to 24 people and require a crew of eight. Hotel boats, large converted barges with accommodation and restaurant, are also available in some areas, with a wide choice of price and comfort. For further information, contact the national or regional tourist board. Getting Around by Rail
French Railways (SNCF) (tel: 0890 36 1010 or 3635 from within France; www.sncf.com) operates a nationwide network. Transport in and around Paris is operated by the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) (tel: 3246 from within France; www.ratp.fr). This organisation provides a fully integrated bus, rail and underground métro network for the capital. Motorail car sleeper services are operated from Boulogne, Calais, Dieppe and Paris to all main holiday areas in both summer and winter. Motorail information and booking is available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; www.raileurope.co.uk).
Rail Passes
InterRail One-Country Pass: With a One Country Pass you can choose from unlimited travel on three, 4four, six or eight days of your choice during a month. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).
Cheap Fares: It is possible to buy various kinds of tickets in France (including Family and Young Person's Tickets) offering reductions. In general, the fares charged will depend on what day of the week and what time of the day one is travelling; timetables giving further details are available from SNCF offices. Note: It is essential to validate (composter) tickets bought in France by using the orange automatic date-stamping machine at the platform entrance. Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Motorways (autoroutes) bear the prefix ‘A'; some are free whilst others are toll roads (autoroutes à péage). National roads (routes nationales) are marked ‘N'. Minor roads are classed as ‘D' roads.
Coach: Domestic long distance services are very limited given the excellent SNCF rail network. In some areas SNCF buses cover unprofitable routes. Car hire: Available from international and domestic companies. Regulations: The minimum age to drive a car in France is 18, and 15 for a motorcycle under 125cc. The minimum age for hiring a car in France ranges from 21 to 25. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (56mph) outside built-up areas, 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways separated by a central reservation, and 130kph (81mph) on motorways. Visitors who have held a driving licence for less than two years may not travel faster than 80kph (56mph) on normal roads, 100kph (62mph) on dual carriageways and 110kph (68mph) on motorways. Emergency breakdown service: Tel: 17 (from roadside boxes). Documentation: A national driving licence is acceptable. An international sign, distinguishing your country of origin (eg GB sticker or plate), should be positioned clearly on the vehicle. EU nationals taking their own cars to France are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card. The car's registration document must also be carried. UK registered vehicles displaying Euro plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on a blue background) no longer need a GB sticker when driving in EU countries. Getting Around Towns and Cities
Urban public transport is excellent. There are comprehensive public transport systems in all the larger towns and cities.
Paris: RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens www.ratp.fr) controls the underground (métro), rail (RER) and bus services in and around Paris. The public transport network is split into several different fare zones and a single ticket will allow travel on any of the systems within that zone (although interchange is only permitted on the métro and RER, and not on buses). The Metro’s network of 14 lines makes it the ideal way to get about central Paris. The RER (fast suburban services) operate five main lines connecting most areas of the capital. There is also an extensive network of conventional suburban services run by French Railways (SNCF). Other cities: There are tramways, trolleybuses and an underground in Marseille; trolleybuses, an underground and a funicular in Lyon; and a tramway and automated driverless trains in Lille. There are tramway services in St Etienne, Nantes and Grenoble and trolleybuses in Limoges and Nancy. Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Paris to other major cities and towns in France.
|
