Normandy in a car, car rental / hire

Getting to Normandy by car

Since the A28 now cuts through the top of Normandy, not all routes to Normandy are from Paris and the journey for people travelling from the Netherlands, Belgium, north and west Germany is now shorter. People coming from Switzerland, and south Germany travel over Paris then take the A13 to Rouen and Caen. The A13 from Paris passes near Evreux to Rouen and Caen and right through Manche country.

The motorways are toll routes (peage) and you can pay with a credit card or cash. You can find information about petrol stations, radar placements and rest places at www.franceautoroutes.com. You can learn about the current state of the motorways and the toll prices from Bison Fute (Tel. 04 91 78 78 78 ) www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr )

We recommend you take out extra insurance, accident, theft, illness when travelling. 

Driving times:

Channel tunnel - Rouen:  ~ 90 minutes via the A28 / E402
Paris to the D Day Beaches: 2 hours drive.

Getting around by car

The road network is dense and well built. Traffic jams are frequent in the summer months particularly on the coastal roads such as the route  Honfleur-Trouville or Deauville-Cabourg. The Motorway A13 (Paris to Le Havre / Caen) can get very full in the summer months in the Seine Valley.

The petrol station network is dense and with lead free petrol 'sans plomb', you choose between  Essence (89 Oktan) and super (95 Oktan). Or you fill up with diesl 'gazole'. The cheapest way to tank your car is to use the service stations in large supermarkets. If you need help approach a younger looking person, this will raise your chances of him or her understanding English.

While the motorway network is well adapted to travelling through Normandy, using regional routes will let you to experience a more relaxed drive and enjoy the countryside. Be careful in the winter though, there is a risk of ice on the roads.

Traffic rules

The sign Toutes Directions indicates through roads taking you on past the current village, town or city. In the roundabout, you have right of way.

Speed limits are:

50 km/h within built up areas
90 km/h on country roads
110 km/h on dual carriageways
130 km/h on motorways

Being caught speeding will result in high fines that will need to be paid immediately.

Motorway help

If you break down, there are emergency telephones on the motorways, or alternatively call the police on 17. Travel radio news is FM 107.7.

Getting around by taxi

There is a standing charge of 2 euro and the price is then calculated per kilometer. From 9-5 the charge per kilometer is around 50 cent, otherwise it is around 90 cent. On Sundays and public holidays, the charge is higher and for luggage above 5 kg in weight there is an extra charge of 1 euro.