Hitching
If you're intent on hitching , you'll have to rely almost exclusively on car drivers, as lorries very rarely give lifts. Even so, it won't be easy. Looking as clean, ordinary and respectable as possible makes a very big difference, as conversations with French drivers soon make clear. Experience also suggests that hitching the less-frequented D roads is much quicker. In mountain areas a rucksack and hiking gear will help procure a lift from fellow aficionados. Autoroutes are a special case. Hitching on the autoroute itself is strictly illegal, but you can make excellent time going from one service station to another, and if you get stuck, at least there's food, drink, shelter and washing facilities at most service stations. It helps to have the Guide des Autoroutes , published by Michelin, which shows all the rest stops, service stations, tollbooths ( peages ), exits, etc. Remember to get out at the service station before your driver leaves the autoroute . The tollbooths are a second best (and legal) option; ordinary approach roads can be disastrous. For major long-distance rides, and for a greater sense of safety, you might consider using the national hitching organization , Allostop Provoya, 8 rue Rochambeau (on square Montholon), 17009 Paris (Mon-Fri 9am-7.30pm, Sat 9am-1pm & 2-6pm; tel 01.53.20.42.42, fax 01.53.20.42.44, pcb.ecritel.fr/allostop/welcome ; Mº Cadet/Poissonniere). The cost comprises a registration fee (30F/?4.58 for a journey less than 200km, 50F/?7.63 if less than 400km, 60F/?9.15 if less than 500km and a maximum of 70F/?10.68 if more than 500km, or you can buy a 180F/?27.45 membership card which is good for eight trips over two years), plus a charge of 22 centimes for every kilometre of the journey.
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