Spares for France?
- Thread starter AerosGS
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Parisien
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AerosGS
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Thanks Parisien, I had read that thread. But what about spare light bulbs? Do I need them? Fire extinguisher?
Cheers Mark
TridentTested
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Yes, a spare bulb kit is needed.
I have one which I picked up for EUR €4.99 in a supermarket. Of course it doesn't have the correct discharge lamp for the QP - I'm assuming one of those is around £100 a piece - but the only purpose of a bulb kit is to show it to the Gendarmerie.
One of my friends who lives in France makes the observation that you see far more cars driving on French roads with blown bulbs than you do in the UK. His theory is their owners are terrified of opening their bulb kits in case they're stopped by the cops on a random inspection whereas there is no danger of being stopped with a blown bulb because "Oh, thank you for telling me officer, luckily I have my bulb kit to hand. Would you be able to help me change it".
The law of unintended consequences: forcing drivers to carry bulb kits means there are more dangerous cars on the road not fewer.
I have one which I picked up for EUR €4.99 in a supermarket. Of course it doesn't have the correct discharge lamp for the QP - I'm assuming one of those is around £100 a piece - but the only purpose of a bulb kit is to show it to the Gendarmerie.
One of my friends who lives in France makes the observation that you see far more cars driving on French roads with blown bulbs than you do in the UK. His theory is their owners are terrified of opening their bulb kits in case they're stopped by the cops on a random inspection whereas there is no danger of being stopped with a blown bulb because "Oh, thank you for telling me officer, luckily I have my bulb kit to hand. Would you be able to help me change it".
The law of unintended consequences: forcing drivers to carry bulb kits means there are more dangerous cars on the road not fewer.
TridentTested
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PS: I might see you there. We're heading off to Normandy and Brittany over August.
Chrisbassett
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The AA publish this :
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf
Which should tell you all you need to know.
In the west, depends how far north & how far south you're going, but the following are all nice places.
Vannes in Brittany, a pretty town near a nature reserve, plenty to keep busy with.
Noirmoutier-en-l'ile, a small island that's connected to the mainland by a bridge and by a tidal causeway that you can drive on at low tide. There are nice beaches at the far end of the island, past the town of noirmoutier, and a few tourist attractions. If you are self-catering you can dig out clams from the sands near the causeway and use them to make a nice vongole pasta for free! Well almost free.
The seaside from the bridge at noirmoutier down to the south is about 50 miles or so of sandy beaches with cliffs, pine forests and small fishing villages.
Saint Gilles croix-de-ville, a very pretty little town on the coast, nice harbour and lots of pretty shops and a market. Gets a bit touristy, but it's worth a visit.
Les Sables de l'Olonne and La Rochelle are two larger seaside towns, either is worth a visit. The Ile de Ré is supposed to be very beautiful also, but I've never been.
Further inland, Nantes is a nice city with plenty of historical sights and good restaurants.
Angers is further up the Loire valley and is a great place to buy wines from all around the region as are some of the smaller villages nearby. Angers also has a castle and other historical sights to visit.
Poitiers and Limoges are both famous for pottery and all things cow (beef, leather etc)
Cognac and Bordeaux speak for themselves. Bordeaux is a very beautiful city, lots of shopping and history and of course wines to buy. Thousands of vineyards and chateaux to see. I would recommend a visit to Saint Emillion as one of the prettiest towns win the area.
The only place I stayed in a hotel is Bordeaux, where we spent a great couple of nights at this place:
http://www.lamaisonbord-eaux.com/
Ask for a courtyard room or suite in the old stable building, but it depends on your budget, it wasn't cheap!
We have a house in a little village south of Nantes, so I get around the west coast quite often.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf
Which should tell you all you need to know.
In the west, depends how far north & how far south you're going, but the following are all nice places.
Vannes in Brittany, a pretty town near a nature reserve, plenty to keep busy with.
Noirmoutier-en-l'ile, a small island that's connected to the mainland by a bridge and by a tidal causeway that you can drive on at low tide. There are nice beaches at the far end of the island, past the town of noirmoutier, and a few tourist attractions. If you are self-catering you can dig out clams from the sands near the causeway and use them to make a nice vongole pasta for free! Well almost free.
The seaside from the bridge at noirmoutier down to the south is about 50 miles or so of sandy beaches with cliffs, pine forests and small fishing villages.
Saint Gilles croix-de-ville, a very pretty little town on the coast, nice harbour and lots of pretty shops and a market. Gets a bit touristy, but it's worth a visit.
Les Sables de l'Olonne and La Rochelle are two larger seaside towns, either is worth a visit. The Ile de Ré is supposed to be very beautiful also, but I've never been.
Further inland, Nantes is a nice city with plenty of historical sights and good restaurants.
Angers is further up the Loire valley and is a great place to buy wines from all around the region as are some of the smaller villages nearby. Angers also has a castle and other historical sights to visit.
Poitiers and Limoges are both famous for pottery and all things cow (beef, leather etc)
Cognac and Bordeaux speak for themselves. Bordeaux is a very beautiful city, lots of shopping and history and of course wines to buy. Thousands of vineyards and chateaux to see. I would recommend a visit to Saint Emillion as one of the prettiest towns win the area.
The only place I stayed in a hotel is Bordeaux, where we spent a great couple of nights at this place:
http://www.lamaisonbord-eaux.com/
Ask for a courtyard room or suite in the old stable building, but it depends on your budget, it wasn't cheap!
We have a house in a little village south of Nantes, so I get around the west coast quite often.
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Chrisbassett
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The house is in a village called La Benâte, part of the commune of Corcoue-sur-Logne. About 25 minutes south of Nantes.
I like the area around Saumur too.
I like the area around Saumur too.
AerosGS
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Ok thanks for the idea, a pack of bulbs none of which may fit LOL. I agree about the spares tho' -having the parts tends to encourage procrastination...
Cheers
AerosGS
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Great thanks, I'll start to plan a route based on these suggestions... So far just booked ferry and first night in Brittany
Cheers
AerosGS
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PS: I might see you there. We're heading off to Normandy and Brittany over August.
Cool. I'll keep you posted as I sort out the route...
Cheers
Chrisbassett
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I'm sure you'll have a great time. Forgot to ask if you're travelling with kids / how active the holiday will be, there are places like sea-life and butterfly houses and other interesting kid things as well. The coast-line is called the Wild Coast as the sea is lively and there's great surfing and especially windsurfing or kite surfing around.
Otherwise, you can do vinyards and chateaux all the way from Brittany to Bordeaux.
: )