Flights and Transportation

YVR to CDG

A non-stop direct flight from Vancouver to Paris is ideal.  There are reasonable prices if you book early.  But even with a transfer in either Montreal or Toronto, the flight can be short.  When looking for flights, I place a lot of importance on the departure time so I don’t end up having to get up in the middle of the night to be at the airport three hours prior to catching that early international flight.  The duration of flights and the time allotted for connections are important.  I find it’s easier to connect through Montreal than through Toronto because the airport is smaller and there’s less walking.  Air Canada, Air France or Lufthansa are my usual choices.

Luggage size and weight are important.  Don’t follow the rules and the airline will make you pay!  I think we would be considered light travellers: we each have a checked bag that weighs less than 50 lbs., I have a carry-on bag and a purse, Karl has a small backpack and our laptops

 

Zoom zoom

Leasing a car is the way to go, and that has to be organized while still in Canada. There’s a wonderful Peugeot buy back program when you’re in Europe for a minimum of 17 days but less than 175 days.  This year we are going through Europ Auto Vacances in Montreal. (www.europauto.ca). Prior to having an office there, we would lease from AutoEurope in Maine, USA. 


We've tried renting a car and leasing a car, and we prefer leasing.  The car is brand new, smells clean with no lingering unpleasant odours, and the insurance coverage included is very comprehensive.  We always worry about getting into an accident with a rented car and the hassle that might entail.  If part of the insurance is covered by a credit card and another part is carried by an insurance company, will there be more paperwork?  We worry about things like that. 

There's certainly a big difference in the pick-up process.  For a rental, it’s a long wait in line, even with all the paperwork done ahead of time.  We need to check the condition of the car, take photos if necessary, and deal with unexpected fees that get mysteriously added on to the original agreed price.  With a leased vehicle, it’s a quick telephone call, the shuttle bus arrives to transport us to the pick-up location, and then it’s a simple signature to get the leased car.  Easy! Pick-up is right outside the CDG (Charles de Gaulle) Airport, but cars can be picked up in various large cities throughout France. 

Getting to those cities from Paris may mean taking the TGV (express train) from the airport in Paris to the destination city, or flying directly into that larger centre.  Leasing may be slightly more expensive than renting, but the advantages are worth it.  We are leasing a Peugeot 308 Diesel, standard drive.  Diesel fuel is almost the same price as regular gas, but it has incredible mileage.  (Note to self:  remember that the car uses Diesel and no other fuel will do!  Match up yellow colour indicator on pump and tank.  Tank up before running on empty!  If you use the wrong fuel or run out of fuel, those two scenarios can cause major auto malfunctions that will cost loads of money and use up valuable time.)  Be aware that many roads in France are narrow, especially when exploring medieval towns.  A big size North American vehicle would not be practical on those roads, so lease a smaller car. Trust me - they have a lot of pep!  

Should the vehicle come without GPS, we bring “Marge” along, our portable GPS that sounds a lot like Homer Simpson’s wife...  “Re-calculating!”  GPS is great, but there are times that it can bring you on a wild goose chase.  We have a detailed map with us to double check that "Marge" is not leading us astray.

Driving around France, especially outside large centres, is a pleasure.  Not all roads are big, expansive and fast highways.  You can stay off the toll highways and meander on secondary roads.  There’s more to see, the roads go through tiny villages, and you may have to stop for stray cats or sheep crossings. 

When time is of the essence, then the toll highways are great because they’re fast, the signage is good, and there are regular rest areas, or “aires”.  Just remember - the toll highways are not like the autobahn in Germany; you have to adhere to the speed limits.  When your GPS "pings" to advise you that you're speeding, it usually also means that there are cameras and radar monitoring you.  That ticket, that expensive ticket, will be waiting for you upon your return home.  (Voice of experience!)

We find the drivers in France polite and courteous.  I remember an incident when we couldn’t pull our card out of the gas pump credit card slot.  (Back in the day when our card didn’t have a micro chip [puce in French] and it was needed for that particular pump.)  A farmer stopped to listen to our woes, went back to his home a couple of kilometres away to pick up a pair of pliers, and returned to pull out the credit card.  He did this without worrying about his time or expecting compensation, and this is but one example of the incredible driving courtesies we have experienced over the years.  Perhaps Paris has its congestion and frustrated drivers, but that doesn’t appear to be the norm outside big cities. 

Karl holds an international driver’s licence, but it isn’t required.  I just have a valid Canadian licence and that works.  It’s a good idea to review the rules of the road and especially understand the signage. Gas pumps are not as prevalent in France as in North America, so you have to plan where you’ll fill up.  More importantly, there are lots of holidays in France when stations are closed, and there are few 24-hour pumps.  You're sure to find those 24-hours gas pumps on the toll roads.

When using toll roads, it’s easier to have a lot of change to pay those tolls at the "payage" rather than relying on credit cards.  Be sure to drive into the correct lane depending on if you'll be using your credit card or cash.

 

 

 

I do believe we've got the transportation portion of the trip sorted out.

 



Get Ready. Get Set. Go!

 

France is beckoning, yet again.  Karl and I will be there from August 5 to October 8 this year, on our sixth extended stay.  For us, an extended stay ranges from 1 to 3 months, so this two-month stay is very typical. 

I get asked time and time again what I do to get ready and if I have any secrets to share. They may not be secrets, but I am certainly willing to share with you what I do.  Basically, there’s not much difference between a short trip and a longer one:  I need to find accommodation, plan transportation to and within the country, and go through packing check-lists to ensure I don’t forget anything.

 

Accommodation

Home Away from Home

The internet offers a multitude of sites that advertise accommodation: hotels, gîtes, agri-tourism, private rooms.  Many of them are for vacation rentals that are short term, and they tend to be more expensive.  I search for accommodation that advertises monthly rates.  My two go-to sites over the years have been: www.rentaplaceinfrance.com and www.sabbaticalhomes.com.   

Karl and I avoid renting in large cities.  They have wonderful museums and art galleries and cultural events, but we prefer the small towns where there’s a better opportunity to really blend into the French way of life.  Day trips into the big cities suit us just fine since we can only take so much of the hustle and bustle before wanting to return to a more peaceful environment.  We prefer finding accommodation in a small village with easy access to a bakery.  After all, you don’t want to walk too far, or worse - have to drive, to buy those fresh croissants in the morning! 

Bakery in Céaucé 2014

 Our criteria are simple: a comfortable bed for Karl who tends to have back aches, and I appreciate cleanliness.  Standards vary, but it’s amazing what you can find out by looking at the photos and by talking with the owner and asking appropriate questions. Find out how recent the photos are and if they have any new ones.

Master Bedroom in Thouars 2010

Discuss what there is to see in the vicinity, the number of restaurants, whether there’s a pharmacy, a weekly market, interesting sites.  When checking the list of what’s available in the home, I look for Wi-Fi connection, French and English TV, a well-appointed kitchen with appropriate cooking pans and crockery, a washer (no dryer required), and some outdoor space to eat al fresco.  All the homes we’ve rented have had 3 or more bedrooms in case friends or family decide to drop in for a visit!  Some boasted incredible gardens and others a pool. 

Pool in Ginestas 2013

I always start my query by identifying that we are a retired Canadian couple, what dates we have in mind, our expectations, and that we’ve done this numerous times and have excellent references.

How much?

Price is an important consideration.  The rates have gone up since that first trip in 2009, but there are still good deals to be found.  The time of year and the location are major factors.  Provence in mid-summer means beaucoup d’Euros.  Flexibility to travel during the shoulder months and a willingness to explore parts of France that are perhaps less touristy will lead you to great houses for excellent prices.  Some owners are willing to negotiate reduced rates for longer stays.  After all, a tenant who stays for months at a time needs less maintenance and less administration.

It is always a concern to commit to a rental and having to send your bank draft to an unknown person.  One hears of scams that can make the hair on your neck prickle.  The two sites I mentioned do not vet every single home they advertise, but they know a lot about the landlord, the number of years he/she has been renting, and any negative feedback or problems encountered.  There are also owner profiles that are helpful.  By writing several emails, phoning and hearing a live voice, and asking lots of questions, it becomes evident that the landlord is legit.  I know it allays my fear.