-          A valid 10-year passport is required for every member of your party, including babies & children.

-          If you are not an EU citizen check your visa requirements.

-          Keep your travel insurance documents in a safe, accessible place.

-          Obtain an EHIC card (the new E111 form) which entitles some reimbursement of medical costs incurred in another EU country. The quickest and easiest way to apply is online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers. Alternatively you can obtain a form from your local Post Office branch or phone 0845 606 2030. Please note it can take up to 21 days for your card to be delivered.

-          If taking electrical equipment (e.g. hairdryer, electric razor) you will need a French 2-pin adapter plug.

Travel Advice:

In the unlikely event of reports being issued that incidents are taking place that could affect your safety whilst on holiday www.fco.gov.uk/travel is a very informative website with the latest travel updates from the Foreign Office or telephone 0845 850 2829.

For further travel advice on safety and traffic black spots in France www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr

Shops:

Most shops in small resorts will open from 9am to 7pm but may be closed for up to 2 hours at lunchtime, and often on Sundays and Mondays. Some food shops, particularly bread shops like the boulangerie, open earlier, and will open for a few hours in the morning on Sundays.

Not all of our resorts have banks or cash-point machines, so it is advisable to get Euros in cash when travelling. There will be towns nearby with banking facilities; normal opening hours are 9am-12am and 2.30pm-5.30pm Tuesday to Friday plus Saturday mornings. Most shops and restaurants will accept credit cards.

For those taking vehicles:

-          All drivers must carry a full driving licence.

-          Take your vehicle registration and insurance documents.

-          You are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card from your own insurers that extends your cover beyond the basic minimum third party for driving on the continent.

-          It is a legal requirement to display a GB or nationality sign.

-          Always carry a red warning triangle and a safety reflective jacket, spare bulbs for rear, side and headlights – without these you may be liable for an instant fine.

-          Make sure you convert your headlights with stick-on deflectors so that they dip away from on-coming traffic.

-          Snowchains will be necessary if mountain roads are not cleared of snow. Most common sizes are available in local garages and hypermarkets in France (usually cheaper than UK prices).

Motorways:

Tolls are approximately 70 Euros each way from Calais to the Alps. If you do not have sufficient change or wish to use your credit card you will need to go to the manned kiosks.

There are emergency telephones every 2km, resting areas every 10-20km and petrol stations approx every 40km.

Speed limits in France:

130km/hr on toll motorways (110km/hr when raining or in reduced visibility)

110km/hr on dual carriageways (90km/hr when raining or in reduced visibility)

50km/hr in towns unless otherwise stated

90km/hr on other roads

Think Right!   It's easy to forget to drive on the right, particularly after doing something familiar, such as leaving a petrol station or car park. Cars coming from the right have priority unless otherwise stated. ‘Serrez à Droite’ means keep right.

Follow the links above for contact info, photo gallery, getting there and places to stay.