Motorists wishing to drive
down to Paris have three options : they can choose to travel by a traditional
ferry, use a faster hoverspeed or jump into the Eurotunnel train shuttle. There
are about 3 to 4 Eurotunnel trains leaving every hour from Folkestone. The
direction to Le shuttle terminal is clearly mentioned in the signpost at the
junction 11A off M20 motorway.
If you are travelling under
the channel, the Eurotunnel train shuttle takes just about 35 minutes, whereas a Hoverspeed
from Dover would take about 45 minutes to cross the channel. And if you take a
ferry, it would take at least 75 minutes to 90 minutes to reach Calais.
Motorways and services
Motorways(autoroutes) are toll roads(péages) and one has to pay a toll of about £ 12
to drive from Calais to Paris. Speed limit on motorways is 130km/h (80mph). For
the weary motorists there are short stops after every 10 kms. One comes across
a service station or a restaurant after every 30 km. Some service stations even
have 'baby corners' with changing facilities. Every 100 km or so, one can find
motels good enough for an overnight stay.
Driving
from Calais
If you are driving from Calais to Paris, you have to take the motorway A26 and
then A1. However, you have to pay the toll to be able to pass through this
motorway. After driving for about 3 hours, you will reach the Boulevard
Périphérique (the giant ring road) in Paris. The motorway ends on the ring road. Exits on the ring road are called 'portes'.
For example, if you are going to Alesia in south of Paris, you should be
aiming at exit Portes d'Orleans on the Boulevard Périphérique.
Driving in Paris
Cars in France is to be driven on the right hand side of the roads. So, on
motorways, in cities and towns of France, one should stick to the right hand side. Speed limit on the Paris
ring road is 80km/h and in urban areas it is 50km/h. As there are very few
parking areas in Paris, one is advised to park on the outskirts of the city and
use the efficient and reliable public transport from there.
Fashion and Paris have become synonymous with each other.
Paris is known as the mecca of fashion where all the top couturiers
showcase their talent. All designers dream to be part of Paris fashion world.