Remember that during public holidays public transport timetables can differ significantly. If you have time to travel at a more leisurely pace, you can hire a bicycle from any of 250 SNCF stations in tourist areas. Otherwise look up hire shops in phone directories under Location de Cycles. In Paris (which is ideal for cycling) the Association Paris en vélo c'est sympa offers guided rides and bicycles and tandems for rent. Tel: +33 (0)1-4887-6001.
by Train
SNCF trains, which cover most of the country, are fast, efficient, clean and cheap, but the crowning jewel is the high-speed TGV train network. TGVs reach speeds of 300km per hour (183mph) connecting France's major cities in superfast time. New routes are constantly being added to the network. You must reserve a TGV seat in advance. Tickets are available from stations and travel agents. Tel: +33 (0)8-9235-3535.
Make sure you validate your ticket at the orange machine in stations before boarding any train or else you will be fined - and French guards are notoriously unswayed by foreign tourists pleading ignorance. The Eurostar train, which connects France with the UK via the Channel Tunnel, has stops at Paris Gare du Nord, Disneyland Paris and Lille. Thalys trains link France to Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
There are underground metro systems in six cities: Paris, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse and Rouen.
by Bus
With such a good rail network you will rarely need buses except for short journeys to villages nestling amongst the Alps and Pyrenees. However, there are efficient bus services in nearly every town and city. For local services there is a bus terminal at every SNCF station allowing easy transfer from trains to the local networks. International coach links do exist but catching a bus across Europe is time-consuming and most tourists will choose to use the much faster and more comfortable train network instead.
Having said that, continental and national bus transport is cheaper than the train. Eurolines is the premier operator of long-distance coaches on the continent. There are offices all over France including one in Paris at: 55 Rue Saint-Jacques. Tel : +33 (0)1-4354-1199.
by Car
France has a very good road network that is kept in a generally good state of repair. Motorways connect major cities although distances can be large.
A national driving licence issued in EU countries is permitted for driving in France. An International Driving Licence is recommended for citizens from countries outside the EU. Insurance is compulsory. Driving is on the right and you must overtake on the left-hand side. The driver and all passengers in the front and rear of the car must wear seat belts if fitted. Children under ten are not permitted to travel in the front seat. The minimum driving age in France is 18. Red warning triangles must be carried in all vehicles in case of breakdown. UK drivers are required to adapt their headlights to drive on the right hand side (kits to do this are usually available on ferries from the UK or at autospare shops).
All distances and speed limits on French roads are given in kilometres. The speed limit is: 130km per hour (81mph), on motorways with a toll, 110km per hour (68mph) on motorways with no toll or when wet, 90km per hour (56mph) on major roads outside towns and 50km per hour (31mph) in urban areas. Note that the minimum speed limit for cars travelling in the leftmost lane on the motorway is 80km per hour (50mph).
The majority of motorways are tolled. Payment is made by credit card or cash and depends on the distance travelled. You will be given a ticket on entry that you have to produce later for payment. Be aware that the speed you have travelled at will be deduced from the time on your ticket and distance travelled. If you have exceeded the speed limit an on-the-spot fine can be levied.
by Air
France's large size makes flying an attractive option especially for journeys from North to South (and vice versa). Journey times are far shorter than land based transport - even with the TGV train network - and prices are competitive. Air France has domestic services providing national connections within France. Airlines often offer youth, couple and family rates on domestic flights.
Major international airports include Paris (Charles de Gaulle), Marseille (Marignane) and Lyon (Saint Exupery). To find out flight arrival and departure times from and to Paris Tel: +33 (0)8-3668-1515. Low cost airlines EasyJet and Ryanair operate cheap flights from the UK to France.
by Boat
Ferry services to Corsica leave from Marseille, Nice and Toulon while major cross-channel ferry routes to and from the UK leave from Calais, Le Havre, Cherbourg and Dieppe. There are also connections from France's northern coast to Ireland and the Channel Islands.
France has 8,500 kilometres of navigable canals and rivers making boat and barge tours a popular and pleasant way to explore the interior of the country. The Canal du Midi and the Bridge-Canal of Briare are two highlights. Contact Waterways of France, Tel: +33 (0)3-2163-2424 for more information.
