French Connection 2

These are things that you really must have with you:

Michelin Road Atlas of France 2004

log book

driving licence - both parts if applicable

passports

E111

car insurance documents

travel insurance documents

red warning triangle - not required

Spare key fob

mobile phone set up for roaming

PMR 446 radio

spare bulbs

locking wheel nut remover

extension cable (with about four sockets)

travel plug adaptor

sun cream, hat and eyewear.

highlighter pens

Comments and Other Items

Michelin Road Atlas of France 2004

This is a very high quality road map at 1:200 000 scale and invaluable when travelling in France. It shows all road junctions and the shape of each intersection is accurately represented. We'll be doing all the detailed planning based on this guide and route instructions may well refer to page numbers. The most scenic roads are lined in green. We're hoping drive a lot of green roads. Amazon have them here.

The highlighter pens were in great demand last year for marking out the days route.

Packing Your Car

If you want to get the maximum amount of luggage in your car you'll need to leave the suitcases at home. Lots of smaller bags fit into the odd shaped boot space more easily. We use the "Pack It Cubes" from Eagle Creek. You also get a lot more space by taking out the tool pack in the well of the boot and storing the tools with the spare wheel.

Travel Insurance

Please take some out now if you haven't already done so. If you're ill or can't go for some reason you can claim back the money I have already paid out for you!

Spare key fob

if you lose the only one you've got you're in a pickle.

PMR 446 Radio

These were a big help at times last year and allow communication between cars while on the road. If you haven't got one of your own, then make sure that you borrow one (the club has a few).

Extension Cable

This make a lot of sense if it has about four sockets on the end of it. You can then recharge your mobile phone and radio, plug in the laptop and the hairdryer while only using one travel plug adaptor.

Car cleaning kit

(as though you'd forget it!) Remeber that you're going to be spending a lot of time inside your car. Take plenty of stuff to clean the inside as well as the outside.

Spare Bulbs

French regulations say you must have them. This is ridiculous, spare bulbs cost about £80 a time. We carry a dummy pack!

Radar Detectors

Do not take one. They are illegal in France. (In fact it's best to remove all sign of them - like velcro on the dash)

Headlight Beams

You don't need anything to alter your headlight beams.