French autoroute sceneries and tolls

In the Netherlands there are no road tolls because every car owner is levied with road tax that is automatically deducted from our bank accounts every quarter. The road tax is calculated based on the type of car, weight, type of fuel used and car value. Thus the more expensive and heavy the car, the more road tax you will pay in the Netherlands.

In France they don’t have the road tax system, the French still implement the traditional toll collection on the highways. Driving on the French autoroutes will cost the road traveller a lot of money, however the autoroutes are the fastest option to get from point A to point B. We have not yet calculated the total tolls we have paid but I think they come close to €200 for the entire journey, back and forth. I think the locals get a discount through the automatic payment system (telepeage).

We left the Netherlands around 4AM and entered France in the Champagne-Ardennes Region around 8AM after a quick pitstop in Luxembourg. We also did a quick pitstop in Maastricht.

Here are the pictures of the scenery along the French autoroutes on our way to the Alps and the toll gates:

Mist hovering over the autoroute when we entered France in the Champagne-Ardennes Region.

As we emerged from the mist we saw thin snow blanketing the valleys.

With regards to driving, I drove the first leg from the Netherlands to Luxemburg which is about 3.5 hours. Dutchman took the wheel from Luxemburg to Chambery which is a good 5+ hours drive. Then I took the wheel again and drove the rest of the journey to the Alps. Thus a big chunk of the French autoroute drive I was sleeping however I managed to take a few pictures.

From Utrecht to the French Alps is almost 11 hours drive non-stop. With stop overs, that would be around 12-13 hours. Hopefully with no traffic. We only encountered traffic on the peage/tollgates.

Burgundy region now to the direction of Rhone-Alpes region.

Tunnels through the mountains.

I can see the Alps!

Peage - tollgate.

Queueing up to pay for the toll. For non-French cars always queue up on the green arrow sign.

The T sign is for telepeage - this is only for locals or individuals with the automatic toll payment system in their cars.

Toll fees for this leg only.

In Chambery area now... almost near!

Getting closer and closer to the Alps.

In the Alpine valley now...

Yup, we have arrived in the Alps!

More stories and pictures soon of our wintersport - ski and snowboard holiday in the Alps. À bientôt!

Travel Period: January 2012