GR Yaris (Gen 2) France road trip

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shiftspark

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Hi folks,
I am taking my GRY to France next month for a road trip of around 10 days and looking for any tips as this will be my first trip abroad for a long time.
I am going from Portsmouth to Caen then following Harry Metcalfe's route to Antibes. We are going to stay there for a few nights and head into Monaco,Nice and Cannes but use the train.
Then plan to see if we can pick up a few of the Monte Carlo rally stages such as Col du Turini etc then head up to Calais.
So here is a list of things that I need to do but please add anything I've missed.

1. Crit air sticker - ordered.
2. Toll tag - not yet ordered
3. UK sticker - ordered
4. Triangle - got
5. High vis vest - got
6. Breathaliser - not yet
7. Headlamp stickers, still not 100% if we need them ??
I also have a jack, wheel brace that I had for my 86 so these should work. I also have a space saver from my '86 that I need to try to see if it fits. Will only fit the rear so I will have to swap wheels around.
I know the speedo will change to KM either manually or automatically so that's sorted.

That's it for now I think.
 
shiftspark said:
Hi folks,
I am taking my GRY to France next month for a road trip of around 10 days and looking for any tips as this will be my first trip abroad for a long time.
I am going from Portsmouth to Caen then following Harry Metcalfe's route to Antibes. We are going to stay there for a few nights and head into Monaco,Nice and Cannes but use the train.
Then plan to see if we can pick up a few of the Monte Carlo rally stages such as Col du Turini etc then head up to Calais.
So here is a list of things that I need to do but please add anything I've missed.

1. Crit air sticker - ordered.
2. Toll tag - not yet ordered
3. UK sticker - ordered
4. Triangle - got
5. High vis vest - got
6. Breathaliser - not yet
7. Headlamp stickers, still not 100% if we need them ??
I also have a jack, wheel brace that I had for my 86 so these should work. I also have a space saver from my '86 that I need to try to see if it fits. Will only fit the rear so I will have to swap wheels around.
I know the speedo will change to KM either manually or automatically so that's sorted.

That's it for now I think.
Click to expand...
Hi
I did a few French trips in mine (sold on here at the weekend...). In my experience the Breathaliser isn't needed and the headlights adjust themselves for right side driving. FYI I still have the Road Hero GRY specific 18" spare wheel in bag that fits and I always took with me (but never needed). It sits well behind the passenger seat if no rear passengers so if you have a jack and brace that might be useful? DM if interested and I can send a photo.
Also v jealous of that trip, watched the Harry vid.
 
shiftspark said:
Hi folks,
I am taking my GRY to France next month for a road trip of around 10 days and looking for any tips as this will be my first trip abroad for a long time.
I am going from Portsmouth to Caen then following Harry Metcalfe's route to Antibes. We are going to stay there for a few nights and head into Monaco,Nice and Cannes but use the train.
Then plan to see if we can pick up a few of the Monte Carlo rally stages such as Col du Turini etc then head up to Calais.
So here is a list of things that I need to do but please add anything I've missed.

1. Crit air sticker - ordered.
2. Toll tag - not yet ordered
3. UK sticker - ordered
4. Triangle - got
5. High vis vest - got
6. Breathaliser - not yet
7. Headlamp stickers, still not 100% if we need them ??
I also have a jack, wheel brace that I had for my 86 so these should work. I also have a space saver from my '86 that I need to try to see if it fits. Will only fit the rear so I will have to swap wheels around.
I know the speedo will change to KM either manually or automatically so that's sorted.

That's it for now I think.
Click to expand...
I ordered a crit air sticker on 1 August for my trip last week. It arrived today! I didn't visit any cities anyway, it was just a precaution.
You need a high vis vest for each person in the car.
The spare wheel from the 86 won't fit. The PCD is different.

Watch out for hidden speed cameras. Unlike the UK, they are not painted yellow.

Have a good trip!
 
shiftspark said:
I am going from Portsmouth to Caen then following Harry Metcalfe's route to Antibes. We are going to stay there for a few nights and head into Monaco,Nice and Cannes but use the train.
Then plan to see if we can pick up a few of the Monte Carlo rally stages such as Col du Turini etc then head up to Calais.
Click to expand...

Sounds like an amazing trip! Very jealous. Get yourself the easypark app set up on your phone too, makes parking in Europe less of a faff in some car parks.

A drive on the Col du Turini is on my bucket list.

If you get chance on the way back check out Musée de L'Aventure Peugeot in Sochaux. If you love a bit of rally history it’s full of old Peugeot rally cars - 205t16 group b etc. well worth a visit.
 
sim61 said:
I ordered a crit air sticker on 1 August for my trip last week. It arrived today! I didn't visit any cities anyway, it was just a precaution.
You need a high vis vest for each person in the car.
The spare wheel from the 86 won't fit. The PCD is different.

Watch out for hidden speed cameras. Unlike the UK, they are not painted yellow.

Have a good trip!
Click to expand...
Hopefully my crit air arrives but not leaving until 18th sept. Looks like I will need to get a wheel then, thanks
 
Euge said:
Sounds like an amazing trip! Very jealous. Get yourself the easypark app set up on your phone too, makes parking in Europe less of a faff in some car parks.

A drive on the Col du Turini is on my bucket list.

If you get chance on the way back check out Musée de L'Aventure Peugeot in Sochaux. If you love a bit of rally history it’s full of old Peugeot rally cars - 205t16 group b etc. well worth a visit.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. I will have a look at the museum as love the good old days of group B. I think a Quattro may just be ahead of the T16 in my imaginary WRC garage !
 
RichP said:
Hi
I did a few French trips in mine (sold on here at the weekend...). In my experience the Breathaliser isn't needed and the headlights adjust themselves for right side driving. FYI I still have the Road Hero GRY specific 18" spare wheel in bag that fits and I always took with me (but never needed). It sits well behind the passenger seat if no rear passengers so if you have a jack and brace that might be useful? DM if interested and I can send a photo.
Also v jealous of that trip, watched the Harry vid.
Click to expand...
Can you let me know how much you want for the wheel, thanks
 
The breathalyzer isn’t mandatory. For now, what’s required depends on the driving zones.

Driving in France – Checklist (2025)

Mandatory Equipment:
• Reflective safety vest (one per occupant, must be accessible from the cabin, not the trunk).
• Warning triangle (to place in case of breakdown or accident).
• Vehicle documents: Driving licence (valid in EU), Registration certificate, Insurance certificate.
• Crit’Air environmental sticker (required in many cities and Low Emission Zones).

Recommended Equipment:
• Spare set of bulbs (not needed if your car has sealed LED/Xenon).
• First-aid kit.
• Small fire extinguisher.
• Breathalyzer (no longer mandatory since 2020, but recommended).
• Spare wheel or puncture repair kit.
 
shiftspark said:
Thanks for the tip. I will have a look at the museum as love the good old days of group B. I think a Quattro may just be ahead of the T16 in my imaginary WRC garage !
Click to expand...
If you want group B Audis, next trip should be into the Alps south of Munich and then you can pass by the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt. It’s got a lovely selection of Group B Quattros (I did an also trip around the same time last year and went).
 
One other item I suggest, a blue parking disc. It is used when parking in free parking zones which have time limits on them. You turn the disc to your arrival time and place it on the dashboard.
 
Do not hesitate to visit what we call "Massif central" or "parc des volcans d'auvergne" too. There's a lot of very good roads there and the food is definitely the best. It can make a good trip since you need to go across the country to reach monaco.
 
Looks like France is going on strike on the 10th and 18th of September 🙄 We sail on 17th over night arriving the morning of the 18th.
If the strikes go ahead they want full shutdown of the country including transport, trains, flights and blocking ferries. No mention of the tunnel yet so may have to switch to that but means changing all the hotel bookings 🤦
 
shiftspark said:
Looks like France is going on strike on the 10th and 18th of September 🙄 We sail on 17th over night arriving the morning of the 18th.
If the strikes go ahead they want full shutdown of the country including transport, trains, flights and blocking ferries. No mention of the tunnel yet so may have to switch to that but means changing all the hotel bookings 🤦
Click to expand...

Oh FFS we’re due on the tunnel on 18th in the morning.
 
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