Heading over the 'big pond'!

[BDH]

I'm very much looking forward to working my first Level IV match at the European Handgun Championships in Cheval Blanc, FR this September (and certainly hope to see some of you there). I'm working on my (well, Deb and my) travel right now, and am a little overwhelmed since I've never been to Europe before.

It looks like we will be flying into Heathrow, taking the train to Paris, then to Marsailles. The big question mark is getting to Cheval Blanc from Marsailles. I 'really' do not want to rent a car, but if I have to.... does anyone know 1) do I need an International Drivers License, and 2) what side of the road do the French drive on??

Any help would be appreciated!!

[BSeevers]

2) what side of the road do the French drive on??

Any help would be appreciated!!

I don't know but I would guess, The wrong side.

[ima45dv8]

I'm very much looking forward to working my first Level IV match at the European Handgun Championships in Cheval Blanc, FR this September (and certainly hope to see some of you there). I'm working on my (well, Deb and my) travel right now, and am a little overwhelmed since I've never been to Europe before.

It looks like we will be flying into Heathrow, taking the train to Paris, then to Marsailles. The big question mark is getting to Cheval Blanc from Marsailles. I 'really' do not want to rent a car, but if I have to.... does anyone know 1) do I need an International Drivers License, and 2) what side of the road do the French drive on??

Any help would be appreciated!!

If I remember correctly, you do not need an driver's license beyond what you have now, and they drive on the right (proper) side of the road.

It does make you wonder just how they handle the Brits and the French rocketing through the Chunnel, headed at each other, in the SAME LANE!

[Micah]

Wow! Take care BDH. We need you to come back home safely and conduct the Ohio Sectional in one piece.

[boo radley]

That's going to be a terrific trip, and an a wonderful experience. And in September, the French will be back from their vacations, and in (comparatively) good moods!

No International DL needed for the short trip. In France, like most of the world, one drives on the right. Do you really need to rent a car? The train is *the* transportation in Europe, and a lot less stressful than wrestling with directions, finding gasoline, etc.

Ignore cliches, and *enjoy*.

[bigbrowndog]

I was told by a UK cop, that I would be staying in the UK if I flew through London with a shotgun that had less than a 24" barrel. You might check on doing it with a handgun??????

I was on my way to the European Shotgun champs. and was just planning on a passing through, on my way to Greece.

I thought it would be OK with the shottie, but apparently not, then again he could've been yankin' my chain.

[BDH]

Thanks all!!! Driving on the RIGHT is 'right' with me! I won't rent a car unless I absolutely have to, but sure appreciate the insight!

Wow! Take care BDH. We need you to come back home safely and conduct the Ohio Sectional in one piece.

Micah, very much looking forward to this (although I was whipped after 350 competitors at Area 6, so I can't wait to run 900 competitors in France! ) Not sure about the Ohio Sectional as the last time I checked, it was before the European Handgun Championships (and I am way short on vacation time). The big bummer is that I am going miss the Limited Nationals in Tulsa (as will the stats Bunny Lady with her 'Killer Wabbits'). However, I will do my best to represent the USA, USPSA, NROI, IPSC, and IROA in France!!

[Skywalker]

Brian,

for driving license you might want to ask Eric W., who spent a week skiing on the french alps last march, and drove through the country a rented car. I guess as a visitor your US driving licence is just fine.

Marseille - Cheval Blanc is about 60Km, thus a rental car is in order, unless you find a lift (sorry, coming from the opposite side, otherwise I would have gladly obliged).

If you need directions and maps, I'd strongly suggest you to download the European Ranges Database (here or at the Global Village), and use Google Earth with it: you'll get all needed info. Plus, if you'll have your personal navigator, the Ranges Database will probably have a file for your navigator model.

[Neil Beverley]

Brian

Sorry, but DO NOT travel via Heathrow if you're bringing a handgun (or any shotgun with a barrel length less than 24 inches). As I understand things you will have major aggro and it'll be the last time you see your gun.

It sucks but there it is.

[Neil Beverley]

It does make you wonder just how they handle the Brits and the French rocketing through the Chunnel, headed at each other, in the SAME LANE!

Actually it's not so difficult and if you make the trip often enough the swap-over is easy. I guess the most difficult thing to master is roundabouts.

I went over to Le Touquet in France for lunch last Saturday. Travelled via ferry on the way out and back via Eurotunnel. It took just 3 hours 5 mins to make the return journey, door to door. I go to matches in the UK that take me longer than that.

[Neil Beverley]

Brian

Here are a couple of links that may be useful but in truth there are many:

http://www.drivingabroad.co.uk/content.asp...ce&navid=13

http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/driving-in-france.htm

Be wary of: "Priorité à droite" the system changes in towns and out of towns almost as a random or local thing. The priority system in play is indicated by signs with a yellow diamond or a yellow diamond with a line through it. See:

http://www.bwam.org.uk/articles/in_france.php

and

Priorité a droite (priority to the right). The old priorité a droite rule on roundabouts has been rescinded. No open roads of any significance have Priorité a droite anymore, thank God. However, in built up areas you must give way to anyone coming out of a side turning on the right sometimes (depends whether there is white lines on the side road and/or a sign telling them they must give way). Confused? You will be...

Flashing your lights. If you flash your lights in France, you are telling the other guy to get out of the way.

and

The most crucial difference for UK drivers is the priority to the right (priorité à droite) rule, whereby all traffic entering an intersection, including a T-junction, from a road on the right has priority.

Look for signs saying Vous n'avez pas la priorité (you do not have priority), Cédez le passage (give way) or Passage protégé (no right of way).

This rule has been suspended on many main roads and larger roundabouts, so that cars already on the roundabout have right of way, and this is indicated by yellow diamond signs that appear at intersections and at frequent intervals along roads.

A diamond sign with a black bar through it indicates that priorité à droite has been reinstated and you do not have right of way.

If an oncoming driver flashes their headlights at you it is to indicate that they have priority, not to let you through.

In smaller towns and rural areas there may be a lack of road markings, in which case you will be expected to give way to traffic coming from the right.

Edited May 11, 2007 by Neil Beverley

[JThompson]

Also, remember that everything is very expensive and your $10 will only be about 7.4 Pounds!

[alellis]

I was told by a UK cop, that I would be staying in the UK if I flew through London with a shotgun that had less than a 24" barrel. You might check on doing it with a handgun??????

I was on my way to the European Shotgun champs. and was just planning on a passing through, on my way to Greece.

I thought it would be OK with the shottie, but apparently not, then again he could've been yankin' my chain.

I have traveled through london airport with handguns and ammunition. and had no problems. First ocassion an unarmed cop checked the documentation and then I was escorted to my connecting flight by a airline rep. It actually speeded up the checkin time because they took me to the front of the queue.

The cop explained that tecnically I shouldnt have the guns there but it happened regularly and as long as I was passing through and not stopping over all was well.

al

[Neil Beverley]

Also, remember that everything is very expensive and your $10 will only be about 7.4 Pounds!

The conversion rate is correct but the currency should read Euros. Fortunately we (the Brits) haven't adopted Euros and the exchange rate in the UK would get you 5.05 GB pounds.

I have traveled through london airport with handguns and ammunition. and had no problems. First ocassion an unarmed cop checked the documentation and then I was escorted to my connecting flight by a airline rep. It actually speeded up the checkin time because they took me to the front of the queue.

The cop explained that tecnically I shouldnt have the guns there but it happened regularly and as long as I was passing through and not stopping over all was well.

al

I really can'r recommend that. I've sent an email to a UK cop to ask him to post a reply here. Better to get it from the horse's mouth.

[mike.45]

I work as a London cop and am certain you can NOT enter the UK with a handgun unless you have proper UK documentation for possessing it here, you will probably be arrested and certainly have your guns taken away - now the cops at Heathrow are part of my department so I will call them and see if they do allow this on a sort of a 'lets not worry' too much basis' but I doubt this is the case.

Let me check before you book your flights !

Traps, I wasnt pulling your chain and I am not from Hollywood..........:-)

Edited May 12, 2007 by mike.45

[BDH]

All (and especially Neil), thanks for the tips! Very much appreciated. Booked my air, and coming into London Gatwick (not bringing a gun, so everything should be cool). We are probably going to hang in London from Friday morning to Monday morning, and then start the train journey thru Paris and down to Marsailles. I'm open to any tips on getting around, or things to do or see during the three or four days we have before the match!

[xdrocker]

Dont' know about the gun aspect of it but, as far as driving........ make sure that you know the laws and especially the road signs. And by "know", I mean instantly. I spent 6 years in Germany (Army) and travelled to France, Austria, and Italy. Europeans as a whole depend on everybody KNOWING the laws, especially right of way, and expect everyone else to know and ABIDE by them. It would not be uncommon to have someone pull in front of you without looking if they have the right of way. They expect you to know and slow down or stop for them, so why look. Not saying that they are bad drivers, just different and something you have to adjust to. Also, don't know for sure about France but in Germany just because there isn't a cop on the road doesn't mean anything. Drive down the road speeding and if you see a red flash on the side of the road, you just got yourself a ticket. So make sure you drive with a smile on your face and wear your seatbelt because the camera has enough clarity to tell if you are or not. They will be more than happy to add that to the bill.

[mike.45]

Well it looks like I could be wrong about brining guns into the UK airports - the local police seem to think its no big deal and reckon its customs who deal with it and allow it to happen - I will check with customs tomorrow so it may be good news !!

[bigbrowndog]

Mikey, Kurt and I were at a match yesterday, with a fellow former SHIELD competitor who said to say HI to all you wan@#%ers!!!!!

Alice, from TACPRO, was informed that we were coming over and was excited for us, and wished ya'll well.

See you soon buddy,

19 days and counting..........................Trapr, Owner, Operator, Trapr Ltd.