Friday, 28 Euros

 

Yesterday, same route but  came off just a few miles earlier to divert around Rouage ............. 68 Euros!!

 

Unmanned booth, and no receipts, so basically...STUFFED! 

Edited 17 June, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

Friday, 28 Euros

 

Yesterday, same route but  came off just a few miles earlier to divert around Rouage ............. 68 Euros!!

 

Unmanned booth, and no receipts, so basically...STUFFED! 

Yup!

 

I have always thought the Common Market, EEC, EU or EC (whatever you call it) was a good idea in principle, but this French Autoroute Peage system is one example of why we need to sort Europe out or leave it.

 

Why should the French Mounseers bring their big rigs or holiday traffic into our country and chew up our motorway surfaces without paying while everyone else has to pay dearly for the privilege of driving on some of the worst motorway surfaces in Europe?    Is that the French idea of free trade?

Edited 17 June, 201411 yr by bealine

Yup!

 

I have always thought the Common Market, EEC, EU or EC (whatever you call it) was a good idea in principle, but this French Autoroute Peage system is one example of why we need to sort Europe out or leave it.

 

Why should the French Mounseers bring their big rigs or holiday traffic into our country and chew up our motorway surfaces without paying while everyone else has to pay dearly for the privilege of driving on some of the worst motorway surfaces in Europe?    Is that the French idea of free trade?

 

 

About the only thing I'd question in your reply tbh.

 

I actually commented to young Ree on just how gloriously well surfaced the motorways were that we traveled on, but I'm really fuming regarding the ripping off that seemingly occurred yesterday, with absolutely no come back either it seems?

Can't even understand just how it happened. Glitch on the ticket?

Yup!

 

I have always thought the Common Market, EEC, EU or EC (whatever you call it) was a good idea in principle, but this French Autoroute Peage system is one example of why we need to sort Europe out or leave it.

 

Why should the French Mounseers bring their big rigs or holiday traffic into our country and chew up our motorway surfaces without paying while everyone else has to pay dearly for the privilege of driving on some of the worst motorway surfaces in Europe?    Is that the French idea of free trade?

 

Not all Autoroutess in France are toll routes, so perhaps before you have a rant you need to check your facts.

So you have to pay to use motorways in france?

So you have to pay to use motorways in france?

Some, yes.

 

Not quite sure how it works tbh.

 

If you travel from Dunkirk or Calais to Belgium via Brussels on the way to the Nurburgring for instance, it's free!

 

Cost me a fairly reasonable 38 euros going to Le Mans and an outrageous 81 coming back. 

 

Diesel is only   circa £1.10 a liter though. 

Edited 17 June, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

Some, yes.

 

Not quite sure how it works tbh.

 

If you travel from Dunkirk or Calais to Belgium via Brussels on the way to the Nurburgring for instance, it's free!

 

Cost me a fairly reasonable 38 euros going to Le Mans and an outrageous 81 coming back. 

 

Diesel is only   circa £1.10 a liter though. 

To drive from Calais to the South of France will cost around 160 EUR in a car, so basically the same as a year's Road Tax here in the UK for most cars!

...........and Llanigraham, as a former European coach driver and transport manager, I am well aware of the fact that a very few autoroutes are free.   However, the ones that are used to the main commercial centres and to the centres for tourism are costly.

 

If the boot was on the other foot, the French government would take action against Britain.  

 

I think our government should levy a £100 road tax or £500 Goods vehicle /PSV tax on French registered vehicles on each entry to the UK.   The French government would soon capitulate.

To drive from Calais to the South of France will cost around 160 EUR in a car, so basically the same as a year's Road Tax here in the UK for most cars!

...........and Llanigraham, as a former European coach driver and transport manager, I am well aware of the fact that a very few autoroutes are free.   However, the ones that are used to the main commercial centres and to the centres for tourism are costly.

 

If the boot was on the other foot, the French government would take action against Britain.  

 

I think our government should levy a £100 road tax or £500 Goods vehicle /PSV tax on French registered vehicles on each entry to the UK.   The French government would soon capitulate.

 

 

I thought there were actually some moves towards making a one off charge to foreign travellers to our shores?

All gone a bit quiet again.now.

 

Standard of driving over there is much higher imo btw, with excellent lane discipline.

Edited 17 June, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

I thought there were actually some moves towards making a one off charge to foreign travellers to our shores?

All gone a bit quiet again.now.

 

Standard of driving over there is much higher imo btw, with excellent lane discipline.

The standard of driving (away from Paris) is good once you accept their way of lane changing.   Once a driver begins to indicate to change lane, he has priority and is going to pull out regardless!   Once you get used to anticipating other drivers and easing up when you see the first flash of orange light, the business of enjoying the drive begins.  

To be honest, it is a few years since I was last in France so I am pleased to hear the surfacing has improved!   No doubt all the "peage" tolls have contributed.

...........and Llanigraham, as a former European coach driver and transport manager, I am well aware of the fact that a very few autoroutes are free.   However, the ones that are used to the main commercial centres and to the centres for tourism are costly.

 

 

Well as we regularly holiday in Brittany, and arrive at either Caen, St Malo or Cherbourg, like many thousands of other UK tourists, we have never paid a toll on any of the autoroutes in that area.

But then facts would ruin you rant.

its not just France that charge for use of motorways, Spain, Italy and Portugal have a fairly extensive network of chargeable motorways. At least in Spain you have alternative routes as they are usually built alongside an existing dual carriageway, but in Italy and Portugal they are often the only method to get from point A to B. From experience Italy has the most expensive tolls on their heavily policed network.

 

As I have a telepeage tag for france, I have no real idea how much I have spent over the years, since no ticket is obtained and the transponder tag takes care of the entry and exit barriers. Must be quiet a bit as since 2008 I have made a regular trip on the French network from Calais to just south of Biarritz.

Anyways.

Anyone else ever been 'ripped off' the way I seemingly was yesterday?

 

Is there actually anyway of disputing this at the time, bearing in mind their is an impatient intolerant que behind you and the barrier ain't going up until you've paid?

 

Horrible system imo, and feel badly let down by automisation (is that an actual  word?)

 

The machine should issue a receipt showing what you've paid from where to where so it CAN be disputed if thought to be incorrect.

Edited 17 June, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

 some of the worst motorway surfaces in Europe?   

 

You've clearly not driven in the Czech Republic! :P

 

Hours of block paved motorways with ridges in. When it was quiet most people (inc. HGVs/coaches) drove in the outside lane as it was better, and moved over to facilitate an overtake. (Imagine that happening in the UK!?)

 

Last time I drove in France we'd run out of Euros, and were trying to eek the last few miles out to make it back to Calais to fill up in the UK, so I don't really remember the road surface, was more paying attention to not running dry!

There are a couple of www's from which you can plot the least costly or mostly free journey via the Autoroute. Actually, the Michelin maps has always coded Autoroutes on their maps. If you have a look at the map key, then you can work it out for yourself.

The Autoroute are in the main operated by private corporations. French car drivers do not pay road tax. There is a link there.

Every road user in France can benefit from the significantly cheaper fuel - particularly Diesel. Last week it was £1.03/litre.

No one HAS to use them. There are always at least a few - always more interesting and usually significantly more attractive - alternatives.

Service areas are generally light years ahead of the UK counterparts. Cleaner facilities, more interesting and attractive places to be. The food can range from decent to downright good.

The road surface is almost always in better repair than its UK counterpart. More thought is put into making the travel experience better than the equivalent in UK. Traffic flow is generally far better (the awful Peripherique is not an Autoroute). Repairs and maintenance along with accidents and other incidents and dealt with far more effectively and rapidly.

On Topic at last

I am a very infrequent user of Autoroutes. I do keep a debit card just for the paeage (but not the only one!) then I always have a receipt or at the worst, the bank has a record of the transaction. (don't forget to inform your card provider. Having all your cards blocked while abroad can be inconvenient).

Card only booths are increasing as the operators strive to cut costs (ie jobs).

You can join the telepeage network. You pay a subscription, but only for the time you are using it. Not worth it to me, but frequent users may find it useful. You'll have to do the wwwmambo, as I have deleted the link I had.

Think I'll set out a bit earlier and go via the 'pretty route' next time. 

Almost always the best plan!

Enjoy!!

The other issue with peage routes for us that drive on the correct side of the road is that most times unless you have a passenger you have to get out the car to pay!

 

At least if you go often and invest in a telepeage tag (or borrow a mates) it cuts that issue out and you can normally use the lane that is empty!

 

I have to say in general I do try to avoid them if I can.

 

If you plan your journey using viamichelin.com it does give you the toll charges on your specific route as well as an approximate cost for fuel, remember to set your preferences and it even calculates the toll differences between 2 & 4 wheels

Edited 19 June, 201411 yr by Prykey

Almost always the best plan!

Enjoy!!

I did actually do this way back in the mid seventies as I was on a very tight budget, when I drove to the south of France via Switzerland and back directly  in a mk2 1300 Escort.

Seem to remember that it took an absolute  eternity in sweltering heat with no air con, but wow, what a road trip.

 

2 punctures, 1 in mid france and they would only put an inner tube in it for me to continue, and the 2nd one just 10 miles from home.

I remember taking a jerry tank with 5 gallons of substantially cheaper than French  4* in it, jammed between the n/s front seat and back squab with my then very young eldest sitting in his baby seat with his legs resting on the top of it....GULP!!

 

Ahhh, those were the days ey?

 

On another plus side, you do see the REAL France too.

Personally, I luv the country, and find the French most pleasant accommodating and helpful generally speaking.

 

Don't understand why some Brits have such negative issues with them tbh.

Edited 19 June, 201411 yr by Mr Ree

To drive from Calais to the South of France will cost around 160 EUR in a car, so basically the same as a year's Road Tax here in the UK for most cars!

 

 

I don't know what route you took but we went from Calais to the Pyrenees and back (two different routes) last year and it cost us a LOT less than that.

How come some Autoroutes are free?

How come some Autoroutes are free?

 

In Brittany, because the local Breton government told Paris to "do one"!

The one north of Calais to the Belge border because it is part of the "inter Europe" network.

How come some Autoroutes are free?

Because it is thought that a toll free Autoroute will assist in growth and regeneration. There are a plethora of Autoroute standard roads in the North, round the old mining areas.

The A75* across the Auvergne is an example of trying to stimulate a stagnant rural economy, and encourage youngsters to stay rather than flee to the cities. At least they can occasionally sample the highlife.

There is the occasional ego/prestige project. The President having roads built in their own back yard to show their omnipotence.

All the Autoroutes round conurbations I have used have been free then usually just an auto toll for a € or 2 to get you on your way. Full on tolls round the Peripherique - better or worse?

In case you ever go back, http://about-france.com/geo/motorways.htm there are several others.

*free from Clermont south apart from the Millau bridge, which is well worth the cost. Also worth coming off and having a look underneath. Millau is a nice little town to sit and have a rest at a pavement cafe.

Because it is thought that a toll free Autoroute will assist in growth and regeneration. There are a plethora of Autoroute standard roads in the North, round the old mining areas.

The A75* across the Auvergne is an example of trying to stimulate a stagnant rural economy, and encourage youngsters to stay rather than flee to the cities. At least they can occasionally sample the highlife.

There is the occasional ego/prestige project. The President having roads built in their own back yard to show their omnipotence.

All the Autoroutes round conurbations I have used have been free then usually just an auto toll for a € or 2 to get you on your way. Full on tolls round the Peripherique - better or worse?

In case you ever go back, http://about-france.com/geo/motorways.htm there are several others.

*free from Clermont south apart from the Millau bridge, which is well worth the cost. Also worth coming off and having a look underneath. Millau is a nice little town to sit and have a rest at a pavement cafe.

 

The map is not up to date, the motorway between Bordeaux and Biaritz (the old N10) is now a chargeable toll road after extensive upgrading.

Oh dear. I thought the internet was infallible.

There are a few other similar sites to choose from. Unless they all use the same data...?

This site gives an estimate of charges:-

 

http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/

 

Just checked-out one route I used from Calais to the south-west  about 7 years ago. Says its now 51E in tolls to do 430 miles - I think that's up about 16 E from the last time. (Somebodies got to pay for the 40 billion euro deficit on TGV and it ain't going to be Francois !)

 

Does include a substantial bit of new two lane  expressway from Rouen to La-Roche-sur-Yon which I think is private being built under some equivalent of PPP. I recall from last time, that the majority of charges were incurred on that bit.

 

 

Nick