DRIVING TIPS AND DIRECTIONS

Following is some general information on driving in France plus driving directions from both the Aix en Provence TGV (high peed railway) station and the Nice Airport.

Driving in France: some general information

  • US drivers’ licenses are valid in France for rentals and driving
  • US credit cards are accepted for rentals—reserve in advance and in the US—rates are less expensive when rented abroad
  • Automatic shift cars are available on request—also, AC
  • Signage:
    • Autoroutes (paid expressways) are indicated by bright blue signs with white lettering
    • Major roadways and scenic routes are indicated by green signs with white lettering
    • Country roads are indicated by white signs with black lettering
    • Routing is indicated by name of next major town or destination point.  Major route numbers are also given in some cases—but it is easiest to plan your itinerary noting major destination points along the way.
    • “Toutes Directions” is an important marker.  If you are in a center city or town and not sure of the way out—follow the sign for “Toutes Directions” which will take you to major turning points for your next destination.
    • Road signage  France, unlike the US, uses International Road Signage.  It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these before taking to the road.  Here is a link to learn more:  www.discoverfrance.net/Boutique/Travel/Car 
  • Paying tolls:  You MAY be able to pay your toll by credit card (my master card from the States works—my Visa doesn’t, but Jim’s does).  Go to the tollbooth indicating CB (carte bleu is credit card in French) and stick first the toll ticket and then your credit card in the indicated slot.  It should open the gate.  (Don’t forget to take your credit card back)  Otherwise:  have some Euro coins ready.  Throw the amount requested or a little more in the toll basket.  The toll machines give change.
  • Speed Limits:  These are always given in kms/hour NOT miles/hour.  So when you see a sign that says 90—it is about 55 miles/hour.  Unless otherwise marked, speed limits are:  130 kms/hour on autoroutes; 90 kms/hour on major highways and open roads; 50 kms/hour within city or town limits.  France is now VERY strict about these limits and there are hundreds of speed traps on all major roads—even in the country
  • Don’t drink and drive.  France has tightened up its drinking laws too.  (one glass of wine or 1 beer max to pass the sobriety test)

DIRECTIONS

FROM AIX TGV STATION TO LE CLAVET

Exit the car rental area and get in the outer lane on the ring road.  Take the first exit to the right toward  the A 51 Motorway Direction AIX EN PROVENCE  on route D9.

Stay on D9 for 10 kms. Until you see signs for the A51 Direction Aix en Provence (Do NOT take the A51 direction Marseille, which you will come to just before the Aix en Provence entrance)

Take the A51 Direction Aix for 3 kms. And get in the right hand lane to follow the big blue autoroute sign for NICE.  Head towards Nice (you are now on the A8).  You’ll pass a beautiful view of Mt. St. Victoire (Cezanne’s Mountain) on your left.  You will stay on the A8 for 9 kms. To Exit 32 

TAKE EXIT 32 (A white sign with black letters indicating the towns of FUVEAU and TRETS) and pay a toll of 80 cents.    Exit the toll booth and go around the round about to the 3rd exit towards:  Frejus/ St. Raphael/ Chateauneuf – Le-Rouge and St. Maximin.  This puts you on the N7. (Route Nationale 7)

Stay on the N7 for 27 kms.  You will then come to the entrance sign for the town of St. Maximin.  Pass by about 1.5 kms of industrial buildings on your right and then  come to a  round about—distinguished by a MacDonalds on the right.  Go around this round about to the third exit—Direction  Seillans/ Brue Auriac/ Barjols.  This road will take you through two more round abouts .  In about 1.8 km at the second large round about, go around it to the third exit, Direction Brue Auriac and Barjols on the D560.

Pass the village of Seillans on your left and continue on D560 direction Brue Auriac and Barjols.  Go through Brue Auriac and continue straight on toward Barjols for another 20 kilometers or so.  Enter Barjols and follow the road into the town center.  As you pull into the town you will pass the Hotel Pont d’Or on your right, a parking lot and a Bar/Tabac on your left.  Right after the Bar Tabac you will make a LEFT Hand Turn following signs for Draguignan and Tavernes.  Take this road and follow it straight up to the end of the street.  Then a right curve and continue out of Barjols  following signs for Salernes and Draguignan.  Continue along D560.  Pass Ponteves on your right.  Continue for 3 kms to a LEFT hand turn on D60   toward sign for FOX AMPHOUX.

The D60 is a curvy road for about 5 kms that will take you over hilly terrain toward Fox.  At the end of this road you will come to a round-about. At the Logis de Fox-Amphoux.  Follow it around to your LEFT, Direction AUPS and La Breguiere.  (Do NOT take the road to your right to the vieux village de Fox Amphoux).  Our house is in the country, not in the village of Fox itself.  Continue on D60 past the sign for La Breguiere , and the open Place de la Mairie for about 1-2 kilometer.  At first intersection (the Bureau de Poste will be on your left and a small shaded place with a food store (Alimentation, Chez Jo) and the Bar Tabac “Chez Jean” will be in front of you) turn RIGHT Direction AUPS..

Continue on D60 Direction Aups for 500 meters and turn LEFT at the top of a small hill.  There are yellow signs indicating La Jansarde and Le Cleou and a green sign for the chambres d’hotes “Pierre de Lune”.  Take this road for ½ kilometer (500 meters) to Pierre de Lune.  Our house, Le Clavet, is right behind it. 

DIRECTIONS FROM NICE AIRPORT

Leaving the car rental area where you have picked up your car watch for the blue autoroute signs for the A8 Autoroute Direction CANNES,  CAGNES, AIX EN PROVENCE.  Take A 8 to exit 36 (70 kms)  (You’ll go through two tolls.  One along the A8 (2,60 Euros) and one at your exit 36 (4,20 Euros).  Exit 36 is marked: DRAGUIGNAN, SAINT TROPEZ, LE MUY, LES ARCS, VIDAUBAN)

After toll continue along N555 for a short kilometer and take a LEFT across the N555 and down a ramp onto the N7 Direction Les Arcs, Vidauban.

Continue on N7 for 9 kms. Exit to Les Arcs.  Take this tree-lined angled road to a major crossroads.  After stop sign, take round-about to second exit on to the D10 Direction Lorgues.

Continue on D10 20 kilometers.  At 5 kms. Pass through TARADEAU and continue on D10 (sharp left in center of town after the Tabac on your left) towards Lorgues.

After Taradeau, continue on D10 another 15kms. To Lorgues.

Pass Lorgues  (Follow directions below to bypass Lorgues center)
At first round-about, take third exit, Direction SALERNES, D562.   Continue on D10 about 1 km passing Lorgues on your right.  At next Round-about (Rond Point Jean Moulin) take second exit, D10-Rte de Salernes

Follow D10 5.5 kms out of Lorgues.  Follow signs for Direction SALERNES

D10 5.5 kms
D 557 for 1.4. kms
D560 for 3.5 kms

Entering Salernes on D 560 – pass by many ceramic tile factories and pottery showcases

At first round-about take 1st exit  Direction Sillans, Barjols and Aups.  Go through second round-about and continue on toward AUPS. 

At third round-about, take second exit, down hill, Direction Barjols (NOT Aups)

At bottom of hill, turn right, rejoining D560, Direction SILLANS LA CASCADE

In Sillans La Cascade, make fairly sharp left going around the school yard and “boules court”.  Pass snack bar on your right. And continue on D560 8 kms. to Right hand turn on D32-Direction FOX-AMPHOUX

Continue on D32 about 5 kms GO PAST THE SIGN FOR FOX-AMPHOUX VIEUX VILLAGE.  Continue another kilometer to round-about at Logis de Fox.  Take first exit toward Montmeyan /Riez/Aups.

Continue about 1-2 km passing Place de la Mairie on your right

Right turn on to D60, Direction AUPS
Continue on D 60 500 meters to rise in road.  Left hand turn on to service road .  See yellow signs for La Jansarde and Le Cleou.  Green sign for Pierre de Lune.

Follow road for 500 meters (1/2 km) To Pierre de Lune. 
Le Clavet is right behind Pierre de Lune.

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