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[jmariog]

About end of August I will be driving to south of France, apart from getting a good service can anyone let me know if there are any odd things I may need to take.   I have had the clutch and actuator replaced ,got all to required  safety bits.  will do the lights and may convert the seats to lounge type. van got an 2018 update disc for the sat Nav. love the drive  and don't want to come back on a breakdown truck.

[cecil]

Check that you have a breathalyser in the car- while the law for fines has been suspended my french would not be good enough to explain it.
Reflective jacket , Bulb kit, Warning Triangle, headlamp deflectors, GB sticker.
 Enjoy

[CrazyG]

The headlamps on the 454 do not 'lend' themselves to those stick on
deflectors....it is far better to just 'flick' the lever inside so that the 'cutoff'
of the beam is removed so as not to glare into oncoming traffic, then flick
it back once you have returned to the UK.
See/read the info in the Tech Guide that gives details on how and where
one can get to do this...
http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1088.0

And re breathalysers.....you must have at least 1 spare....
so if you get stopped and asked to use one, then according to the Law
in France you must have a spare...so that means 3 in total !
Eh ?  But I have a spare...
Effectively not as you have just used 1, so if you had 2 you now have
1 available and no spare. Comprendo ?  So carry 3 or more, ok.

And re the reflective safety jackets....
The silly rule is that they must be within reach of you from your seat !
So having them in the boot is an instant fine. Roll them up small n tight
and put them down either side of the front seats, or jam them in the
front door pockets, ok.

Bulb kit...essential.   As is warning triangle and GB sticker.
Happy motoring.....

[Coverman]

And plenty of money to pay the fines for being a British motorist.

[cecil]

Check the tyres, the spare, jack and wheel lock. The car will be heavily loaded and running high speeds. Any flaws (bulges/rips) or incorrect pressures could slow you right down. Ever tried taking a spare out of the boot when it was full of luggage?

[El Tel]

Reflective jacket , Bulb kit, Warning Triangle, headlamp deflectors, GB sticker.

GB sticker not required if you have one of the new 'EU' model numberplates.
(Get them while you can)

[CrazyG]

The GB sticker attracts Gendarmes+'fines' like bees to honey.....
so the suggestion to change and fit new 'EU' numberplates
makes a lot of sense.

[Brabs]

I would check the aux belt too. And get a couple of cans of tyre foam.
 

[El Tel]

The GB sticker attracts Gendarmes+'fines' like bees to honey.....
so the suggestion to change and fit new 'EU' numberplates
makes a lot of sense.

Older FR plates are also yellow from the rear so at a distance you'll blend right in...

[JonS]

I've been trying to think what might be really difficult or expensive to obtain in France and I reckon the answer is...



the spare key, in case you lose or damage the one you normally use. But either give the spare to your other half or hide it in the car somewhere - don't keep it on the same keyring...

[jmariog]

thanks for the advice will look in Eu number plates. will be running very light, on my own small bag so should be a fun drive .I go west of  Paris  about 650 miles there ,should take 14 hours, no toll roads , country roads, could fly but the drive will be best part of the holiday.

[CrazyG]

I know what driving round the Paris 'version' of the M25 is like....
more civilised than our M25, but it's still a crawling solid jam !

Anyway...good fa you if you're swinging out to avoid Paris...
a more scenic route is always a pleasure to drive. Have a good trip.

[mr singh]

having dont Leeds to Dillingen an der Donau run, which is over 800 miles, my 1.1 took it all in its stride... although i was carrying a lot more than you will be. i was carrying my dad and sister + luggage. on the way back i was carrying a lot more than what i went with.

[jmariog]

Right got back today, loved the drive only small problem were the lights and having a light bulb go , which did not help. 48.7 MPG There and 49.5MPG back. Only thing I would do next time is bring a loo seat as none of the petrol stations have them .

[Brabs]

Recently returned from a 1500 mile drive in France in my 38 year old Citroën based Lomax 223 three wheeler. Went with a group of likeminded friends. Portsmouth to Caen. Caen to Le Mans. The Le Mans Motor Museum was amazing. Then gentle drive down to Angoulême for the vintage car racing and a leisurely drive back to Roscoff and ferry to Plymouth. Brilliant road trip with fabulous weather. My little Lomax was fantastic and NO breakdowns. The French roads are just superb, even the rural ones but filling stations (and toilets) seem few and far between. Hardly saw any police at all. Already planning next year but would go again tomorrow.