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WELL, WE THOUGHT WE WERE ALL ORGANISED.

WE'VE GOT OUR WARNING TRIANGLE,OUR BULBS, OUR BEAM BENDERS,OUR POLARITY CHECKER BUT NOW WE READ THAT ROUNDABOUT PRIORITIES ARE DIFFERENT IN FRANCE.WE HAVE DRIVEN IN SPAIN AND GREECE (WITHOUT CARAVAN) BUT HAVE NEVER NOTICED ANY DIFFERENCE AT ROUNDABOUTS.

MY OH THINKS THEIR WILL BE ENOUGH TO THINK ABOUT AT ROUNDABOUTS WITHOUT THIS,PLEASE HELP US.  IRENE

In France the traffic already on the roundabout has priority - just like UK (except you go round anticlockwise, of course!

They *did* change some years ago - but for the better.  Once upon a time traffic *coming onto* the roundabout had priority in France - leading in theory to total gridlock.
So don't panic.  Just behave as you do in England, and wait for a space before you join the traffic on the roundabout. Once you are on it, you have priority over those coming in from your right.

Nothing to do with roundabouts, but in some areas of France there is "priority to the right" on normal roads (not motorways and not seriously main roads though).  If you ever see a triangular crossroads warning sign that is just an X, that is the time to watch out to your right, as vehicles coming from that side will have priority over you.

Angela

As said before roundabouts have the same ruling as over here. Only priority is from the left. The sign that warns you of this is a trianglular roundabout sign with the words, 'Vous n'avez pas proritie' (You do not have priority) Another sign you might see is 'Cedez le Passage' Simply translated means 'Give Way'. Their roundabouts are more compact than ours and lane disipline is poor. Also be aware French don't know what indicators are for. There is a small book available called Driving Abroad by Haynes. It covers skills, advice, safety and laws. It's very useful.

harryB

French lane discipline on roundabouts is non existant-they will go all the way round in the outside lane without indicating, so dont expect standards like the uk...you've just got to pick your opening and go for it, and when you exit check there is nobody outside you as they will sneak round you. Use the passenger to watch the island for you makes life much easier as you enter, just be sensible and careful and you'll be fine, take it slowly at first and as your confidence increases you'll wonder what the problem was.  Most impotantly enjoy the French roads they are a joy to drive.

French roundabouts are just like English roundabouts except you go the wrong way round them.

Carol