France.... What an odd place

ok, so I've finally decided to go to the le mans gp race this year on the bike. I was told today by someone at work (who is taking a trip in the car to France) that I will need to take insurance documents and log book for the bike, a high vis vest, a first aid kit and a few other things before they are going to let me into the country!?
Anyone have some experience here that they can share with me? Do I need all this stuff?

[pmapp]

Yes.

hth

[fizzwheel]

Yep you do need it...

Such is the law of sod, if you dont take it you'll need it, if you do take it you wont need it.

[JamesMio]

Originally Posted by Ploppy

Anyone have some experience here that they can share with me? Do I need all this stuff?

No, but I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as I'm doing the very same trip!

[jamesterror]

Yeah its French law, it was in one of the Top Gear episodes can't remember which exactly :P

I'd do the just in case factor as I wouldn't want to be stuck in a French prision in fairness!

Dont forget some onions, a stripey jumper and a beret, you may not be able to buy these locally, so take your own.................
























































Ill get me coat

[Nobbylad]

I think you need spare bulbs as well.

The ferries now have a great little sideline selling all these items to panicking families as they are about to board the ferries in their MPV + topbox + mtb's + trailer/caravan....all at inflated prices.

Pop down to an Aldi or Lidl and get them cheaper.

Well it looks like I've got to do a bit of shopping then. Sigh

Originally Posted by JamesMio

No, but I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as I'm doing the very same trip!

Excelent! my trip is very much in the planning stages at the moment. I should be getting a list of these things you need to get into France, I'll post it ok here as soon as I have it

Originally Posted by stewie

Dont forget some onions, a stripey jumper and a beret, you may not be able to buy these locally, so take your own.................

I've been doing allot of intensive research into french culture and customs so never fear...... I've spent hours watching re runs of 'allo allo' on ukgold........ Invaluable!

Originally Posted by jamesterror

Yeah its French law, it was in one of the Top Gear episodes can't remember which exactly :P

I wouldn't mind seeing this episode, anyone have any idea which one it is?

Originally Posted by Nobbylad

The ferries now have a great little sideline selling all these items to panicking families as they are about to board the ferries in their MPV + topbox + mtb's + trailer/caravan....all at inflated prices.

Erm..... This would Have been me!.....

[embee]

Don't panic, it isn't so bad.

You need to carry the original documents which you'd have to produce if required to at home, so V5C, insurance cert, paper part of your licence (as well as the card), plus of course passport. Make sure you have copies at home, and ideally also carry one copy of everything with you. I believe technically you should have the MOT too, but I never have and I doubt it would mean anything to a gendarme, they don't have the equivalent "controle technique" on bikes in France.

I'm not absolutely sure whether the hi-vis requirement applies to bikes but it's a good idea anyway, you only have to wear it if out of or off the vehicle on a road. In a car it must be readily accessible, i.e. not in the boot.

Spare bulbs are a good idea anyway, as is a basic first aid kit (can be had very cheap on t'interweb, in a nice little pouch). Spare glasses if you wear them. I've been stopped at routine checks a few times (quite common in France) but never been asked for anything other than basic papers, passport/licence.

You can be fined on-the-spot. Failing to stop at a stop sign is frowned upon heavily, touch a foot down. The bike can (and will) be taken if you can't pay, so always carry cash. Gendarmes don't have much of a sense of humour and don't have the burden of UK "correctness" to deal with. Behave.

Speed cameras are not that common but are growing, but are clearly signed (and a sign means a camera). They are usually a biggish grey box at eye height. Police speed checks are common, not signed. Be sensible.

Speed limits in towns/villages start at the town name signpost, 50kph is the default and isn't signposted usually. Be sensible.

Use dipped headlights in the day, no need to mask off the dip on bikes.

Generally speaking things are pretty easy going, just be respectful.

Don't forget to have your EHIC card, available on-line. Also check with your insurer if you need to extend your insurance for foreign use.

have been to the gp the last 4 years on the trot.

hace once been stopped and all they asked for were ze papers. MOT insurance V5. dint need all the hi vis stuff.