« France - in English » : différence entre les versions

With 83 million foreign tourists in 2012, France is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world.  

No persistent wind from any direction

By ferry: numerous services from England to France. Or try Santander in Spain for a shorter ride to south-west France.

By train: The French rail company, SNCF, provides direct service from some European countries using Eurostar, Thalys, Intercity. Check current regulations for taking a bike on Eurostar, and look at the Eurotunnel website for cycling access to the terminal on the English side. You can take a bike on TER trains, the slowest. You can take a bike on Corail trains, the inter-city service, but you need a booking. Some TGVs have compartments for complete bikes, but you need a reservation. Older TGVs will take a bike only in a bag.

There is a rule across continental Europe that seems more pronounced in France than elsewhere: priority from the right. Remember that you DON'T have priority over traffic from the right unless a sign specifically tells you so. It is the ABSENCE of a sign that you're looking for, whether it's a metal sign or a painted line on the road.

There are few cycle paths in towns but they have the same priority as the road you are shadowing. Paths are obligatory if there is a round blue sign printed with a white cyclist

You will find bike shops in most towns and all cities. If you can't find a proper shop, look for branches of ''Décathlon'' or ''Go-Sport'' or large supermarkets such as ''Leclerc'' (say "Luh-clare") and ''Carrefour''.

Trains are fast, efficient, comfortable and inexpensive. The staff are generally friendly, trains usually run to time most and there's no better way to travel if you're not riding a bike. France has an excellent rail network that covers almost all the country. TER trains are, despite the "express" in the name, almost-all-station stoppers. You can take a bike on all TER trains but you have to use a carriage marked with a bike sign. It's often at the front or back of the train; ask on the platform. As you enter the platform area, don't forget to push your ticket into the yellow stamping machine beside the entrance.

In Paris, the metro does not take bikes. In the suburbs, especially to and from Charles de Gaulle airport at Roissy, the RER generally does take bikes.  

Youth hostels: around 160. Information and map on the FUAJ web site at [https://www.fuaj.org/ www.fuaj.org]. Have a look at the network of ''gîtes d'étape'' on [http://www.gites-refuges.com/www/ www.gites-refuges.com]

Hotels: well provided and generally as little for two people as for one.

Small supermarkets, shops and markets (local fresh food) in towns (closed noon to 2pm). In the suburbs supermarkets stay open over lunch. There are restaurants in any village of size, with a ''plat du jour''. Remember to say ''bonjour'' on entering a small shop or bar; it is impolite not to.

Drinkable unless a sign says otherwise. There is a tap in most cemeteries and you can drink the water.

Gaz cartridge stoves in supermarkets, campsites, petrol stations. Multi-fuel stoves are uncommon.

Mobile phone coverage is fairly good across the country.

* '''Cycle path maps''': [[www.af3v.org/-Itineraires-Eurovelo-en-France-.html]]