The following are extracts from various member postings to topics within our forums.

Sorry if some of these points seem obvious to those used to riding in France, but as some of our members have said ..."it's nice to be able to pass on a few pointers to those about to enjoy the roads of La Belle France for the first time - we wish someone had given us a few useful tips years ago ! "

1. Junctions and Traffic Lights

This one takes some getting used to and maybe the one most likely to hurt, if you get it wrong. In many cases you will give way to your left, for example to vehicles already on a roundabout and at junctions that are clearly indicated that you should do so. However, unless clearly indicated otherwise, you have to give way to traffic coming from the right.

If you're on a busy road and you see an X sign in a red triangle that means that traffic from the little lane that comes onto your busy road from the right. DOES NOT HAVE TO GIVE WAY TO YOU .. it's an odd law, but it does keep you on your toes. Don't think of it as stupid... just different. Horses for courses and all that.

2. Roads

Tractors leave mud on the roads, especially on blind corners. 80% of France is rural. 99% of the inhabitants of France are farmers. 175% of farmers own tractors. You figure out the odds of finding a road without some mud on it.

Mostly though road surfaces are very good here in France compared to the Uk ... in most areas the traffic flows better and you rarely see road works ! ... Its nothing to do a journey of several hundred Km's without hardly any stops .. maybe one or two at traffic lights or junctions. Without speeding, journey times are good as you keep up such a good overall average speed.

2. Law enforcement - Speeding and other related stuff

The French speed limit system is easy to follow and mostly sensible, so you have no excuses ... beware ..if your well over the limit you risk having your bike impounded until your court case. This could be months away and then the Judge decides if you get your bike back or not !!

Speeding through villages / towns is not recommended. In the UK the limit is 30mph yes? .. but how many of us actually religiously obey that law? In France even a single car at 3am in the morning will slow down to 30mph as they go through a village or town where the speed limit is posted. It's something they've grown up with and is respected.

3. Fuel

Beware particularly in rural areas. Petrol stations close early and Mondays are much like Sundays with lots of places closed. There are 24 hour pumps which take bank cards, however, my personal experience with a UK bank debit / visa card), it only works in 10% of them. Miles / Km's are clocked up very quickly on France roads and can soon eat up a tank of fuel.

If you are caught at one of these pumps on a Sunday or late in the evening and you find that your UK card won't work, fear not. Wait until the next customer comes along and ask politely if he /she would mind filling your tank on their card and you can pay for it in cash. Most French drivers are aware of the problem with UK cards and 99% of drivers and virtually all motards (motorcycles) will be only too happy to oblige. One more thing to think about when stopping for fuel, if possible pull into a filling station which is on your nearside, i.e. on your right - if you cross the road to go into a station on your left it's all too easy to stay on the left when you leave, with potentially catastrophic results.

4. We Need Your Input Here !!!

sign up in the forum, there's a place to add your own tips and read what others have posted. The most popular will then get added to this section ..........

important note :- the above tips are extracts from our own forum members posts. Please note that we are a group of Motorcycle enthusiasts and, as such, are not legal experts. The information posted here is done so in good faith and is only a general guide.