Driving in early December?

Hi, thanks for reading.

I would like to find out if its advisable to be driving around Avignon in early December.

I have heard and read differing views on this from friends and on the net.

Here in Singapore, we are on left hand drive (driver sits on right side).

Please Comment/Advise.

Thanks again!

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Avignon normally shouldn%26#39;t see much snow or sleet in early December. Driving on the other side of the road isn%26#39;t that difficult either once you get used to it. Remember most European rental cars are manual shift, or pay a premium for an automatic. Depending on how many days you are driving, consider buying or renting a GPS unit which will make your life much easier.

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Thanks for the reply. Our primary concern is that some friends who have visited the avignon area told us that roads are terribly narrow and we%26#39;re making a bad mistake by wanting to drive. We wish to be able to explore the countryside but do not want to compromise on safety as well.

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I can%26#39;t compare the narrowness of roads in France to what you are used to but they are certainly narrower than in Canada where I live.

But any competent driver can navigate French roads... whether you are used to driving on the right or not.

Have a look at the video I posted here on Trip

Advisor of a drive through the Gorges du Tarn in a Passat... we managed it okay and I%26#39;m sure

you will too.

tripadvisor.com/ProfileGallery-i18445734.html

As another poster mentioned... a GPS will make your life easier. I used a TomTom One

in France last month and it was brilliant.

Rob

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%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;avignon area told us that roads are terribly narrow and we%26#39;re making a bad mistake by wanting to drive. %26gt;%26gt;%26gt;

I should characterize the information you have received as inaccurate. While indeed there are narrow roads within the city walls of Avignon, there is no reason to be driving on them. Avignon is sufficiently small that one simply walks where ever he needs to go. If however you want to explore the region, a car is a must.

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Thanks both for the reply. I%26#39;ve been driving everyday for about 2 years in a manual transmission car so I guess that should be fine. Since driving in the city is difficult, I suppose it will make more sense to stay outside the city walls if we intend to do day trips to the area? We will explore the wall city on foot.

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Avignon roads aren%26#39;t really that narrow. I%26#39;d rate them as normal roads. Our in the country, the secondary %26quot;D%26quot; roads are sometimes twisty and narrow. At night with no street lighting, you need to be more careful with oncoming traffic and animals so be careful there.

You can actually safely drive within Avignon as well and stay within the city. The biggest obstacle to that is actually the parking fee, but most hotels would offer you a flat overnight rate. Once you are within Avignon, to visit the city itself, you don%26#39;t need to take the car from the garage as it%26#39;s very walkable.

Overall, the primary French roads are very well-built, and city driving does not feel particularly difficult (unless you are in Paris with those 6-lane roundabouts that have 10 exits).

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