Fuel in France

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  • Spriddler
    Spriddler Forum Participant Posts: 646
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    edited May 2016 #62

    seems like too much effort may just go to Bognor :-(

    What!?

    'Bugger Bognor'

    (King George Vth).

  • Spriddler
    Spriddler Forum Participant Posts: 646
    500 Comments
    edited May 2016 #63

    On French news this afternoon that the police have broken up the picket line at the refineries with water cannon.   Lets hope things get moving again soon.

    Err, yes, let's also hope that the storage tanks and road tankers' tops were well sealed......

  • JLan
    JLan Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited May 2016 #64

    Jlan we are in the same situation booked on the Caen ferry arriving on sunday evening also heading to the South. Think I can get to Luxembourg on a single tank with some spare. Then back into France & back into Switzerland. Issue is with that is that you
    need to purchase 2 x vignette 1 for car 1 for van which i think are about £35 each. Then fill up at the expensive station in Switzerland then down to the South coast of France. Im just sitting here thinking is this really a holiday seems like too much
    effort my just go to Bognor :-(

    Write your comments here...fortunately we are Dover/Calais so option via Belgium and onward not an issue.

  • scoutman
    scoutman Club Member Posts: 441 ✭✭✭
    edited May 2016 #65

    Not to concerned with the situation at the moment, we are crossing Plymouth - Roscoff and have only 80 miles to our campsite, will make sure I fill up in Plymouth before we cross. If necessary will restrict car usage in France if situation continues, probably
    save money in the long run and put less in the French coffers.

  • Cartledge
    Cartledge Forum Participant Posts: 267
    100 Comments
    edited May 2016 #66

    It is unfortunate that Brittany Ferries web site gives no information whatsoever on changing bookings or re booking or indeed anything else related to this dispute. It's as if it doesn't exist.

    But then they are a French company.......

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2016 #67

    Jlan we are in the same situation booked on the Caen ferry arriving on sunday evening also heading to the South. Think I can get to Luxembourg on a single tank with some spare. Then back into France & back into Switzerland. Issue is with that is that you
    need to purchase 2 x vignette 1 for car 1 for van which i think are about £35 each. Then fill up at the expensive station in Switzerland then down to the South coast of France. Im just sitting here thinking is this really a holiday seems like too much
    effort my just go to Bognor :-(

    Fuel is not particularly expensive in Switzerland but most other things are! Fuel in Italy is close to UK prices so if you are going that way then top up in Switzerland.

  • desimondo
    desimondo Forum Participant Posts: 33
    edited May 2016 #68

    We are due to leave via Pottsmouth to St Malo in 3 weeks time. Heading to Dordogne for the middle week - staying at a site already booked via the Club. It's my big 6 zero on 29th June and my two kids are flying out to join us during that week........bit
    of a bummer to have to cancel it all now, so will wait a week or so and hope it gets resolved. Am hoping that In the end they can't let this drag on as France will be on its knees if things continue....but the realistic possibility is that it will drag on
    !.....oh decisions decisions

  • DJG
    DJG Forum Participant Posts: 277
    edited May 2016 #69

    Do not worry about the fuel strike, as it will be over soon to make way for the French farmers to have their turn, followed by the fishermen/dockers, truckers, ect. It's all part of the rich tapestry of the French way of life. At least the Air traffic controllers
    won't affect us caravaners!!

  • kenexton
    kenexton Forum Participant Posts: 306
    edited May 2016 #70

    Do not worry about the fuel strike, as it will be over soon to make way for the French farmers to have their turn, followed by the fishermen/dockers, truckers, ect. It's all part of the rich tapestry of the French way of life. At least the Air traffic controllers
    won't affect us caravaners!!

    Write your comments here...Euro 2016 coming up in two weeks.what a coincidence that the French unions feel driven to take action in the run up,or is it?

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited May 2016 #71

    Just pospone your trips to France until July there will not be any strikes as the French will all be on HolidayWink

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited May 2016 #72

    Unfortunately the web site that Hazel provided is extremetly slow to load, due to the sea of red (being the garages with no fuel!), however, as of yesterday (Wednesday) there seem to be 50% affected over the whole of France. I think we will postpone our trip for a few days.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited May 2016 #73
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Mr H
    Mr H Forum Participant Posts: 356
    100 Comments
    edited May 2016 #74

    Generally, I really like France, having worked out there over a number of years. However, almost every time we go, our holiday is blighted by one dispute or another. Be it Air Traffic controllers, Farmers, Fuel, Calais, etc etc. Last year both the Farmers
    and the Calais ferry issues occured at the same time reducing our holiday to a 'job' trying to find alternative routes. As we have booked and paid for our ferries and deposits for campsites we are reluctant to cancel our holiday in July. However, after this
    year, for us, we have decided there are plenty more countries to see. Sad situation 

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #75

    Very sadly we have 99% (still waiting and hoping that a minor miracle will happen today!), decided to cancel our holiday in France this year, we were due to go next week.  We have paid for sites and ferry but reluctantly we will accept the travel voucher
    for the ferry and use next year (hopefully!!). The sites can all be fully refunded as can Mayday cover.  This is the one year where we are tight for time and June was our only option. As others have mentioned it will be no holiday spending the month, trying
    to find fuel or queuing for a small amount, sounds like far too much stress and worry.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #76

    I'm doing it the other way with no intention of cancelling. Crossing  from Plymouth with a full fuel tank - that gives me a 400 mile range. I had plans to go south but will have a holiday in Brittany if there is no fuel to be had over there. Just a change of plan. No stress at all.

  • Bob55
    Bob55 Forum Participant Posts: 29
    edited May 2016 #77

    Well we moved our crossing to a week later ! Shame the weather for a crossing Poole- Cherbourg is realy good today.

    But if the situation is the same will try for a late summer trip.. because I purchase 36 camping cheques.... but on a gold card so ok for 3 years  We need two full tank to get to our camp site risky.

  • Mr H
    Mr H Forum Participant Posts: 356
    100 Comments
    edited May 2016 #78

    Have just read a new report stating:-

    Union disruption was expected to take place at:

    • Sixteen of France's 19 nuclear power stations
    • Six of France's eight oil refineries, already hit by strikes and barricades
    • The ports of Marseille and Le Havre among others

    Orly airport in Paris has cut flights by 15% and a rolling strike by train drivers is expected to further disrupt regional and commuter services.

  • dennisd
    dennisd Forum Participant Posts: 157
    edited May 2016 #79

    Currently in Avignon and just filled up in the last 30 minutes at a Carrefour, there was a small queue . As we drove away a tanker arrived accompanied by a police van with it's blue lights flashing, heaven knows why  because there was no sign of a problem.

  • desimondo
    desimondo Forum Participant Posts: 33
    edited May 2016 #80

    Good post Dennisd, positive news is good news.......thank you.

    None of us who are heading to France in the next weeks want to cancel , especially those of us who stil have work and commitments and don't have as much flexibility as regards time. 

    Be greatly appreciated to have as much feedback as possible please from anyone who is in France at the moment......:)

  • Hazel
    Hazel Forum Participant Posts: 185
    edited May 2016 #81

    Morning all

    I have received feedback inthe last 1/2 hour that there is fuel available in Reims and Laon.

    Best wishes

    Hazel

     

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #82

    Now on a site in Millau, only 1/4 tank of diesel left, so will need to see what the situation is here.

    On the way here (from Le Puy en Velay) we passed a few fuel stations that were out of diesel but still had unleaded, others seemed fine.

    Filled with LPG on the A75 just before Millau, was going to fill diesel too but found locking fuel tank door was jammed shut so had to carry on to site without filling.  Have now freed it up.

    Will report back later.......hopefully with good news!

    Not due back at ferry till 20/06, but goodness knows how long this will drag on.  Too many trees on the site to get any satellite dish connection, so cannot see any news either.

    First long trip to France in several years, so will be very disappointed if we cannot continue with the trip as planned.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,673 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #83

    Unfortunately the web site that Hazel provided is extremetly slow to load, due to the sea of red (being the garages with no fuel!), however, as of yesterday (Wednesday) there seem to be 50% affected over the whole of France. I think we will postpone our
    trip for a few days.

    Finding problems with both those websites, have tried them several times and can get nowhere.  Both virtually locked up the laptop and I could only get rid of them by forcing it to turn off.

  • Hazel
    Hazel Forum Participant Posts: 185
    edited May 2016 #84

    Hi KjellNN

    Is this one any better for you? http://penurie.mon-essence.fr/w/ 

    Hope you manage to find some fuel.

    Best wishes

    Hazel

     

  • Bob55
    Bob55 Forum Participant Posts: 29
    edited May 2016 #85

    It would be helpful to me if any member can give the situation around Angers & Poitiers to obtain diesel (full tank would be nice)

    Cheers

  • Poshman
    Poshman Forum Participant Posts: 88
    edited May 2016 #86

    And any reports from members would be most welcome about diesel availibility on the popular run from Calais to the Dordogne - Rouen, Evreux, Chartres, Orleans, Vierzon, Limoges. There must be some on that route now,

    By the way, I have trouble too loading that website map of the fuel stations Hazel has suggested.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,392 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #87

    It looks like the next couple of days could be very decisive as to the sticking power of the French union.I think the French government mean to break the CGT union's power this time round.

    peedee

  • IanHNW
    IanHNW Forum Participant Posts: 41
    First Comment
    edited May 2016 #88

    In South West Brittany (Benodet) at the moment, fuel seems to be available with some stations imposing a E20 limit but at self service stations you can go around again however are not risking going too far south in case things escalate. Some press reports
    seem to suggest this, however we all know how things can be exagerated. Supermarkets have plenty of food & wine, sun is shining and the restaurants are open so not in a hurry to move. Bon vacances

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited May 2016 #89

    And any reports from members would be most welcome about diesel availibility on the popular run from Calais to the Dordogne - Rouen, Evreux, Chartres, Orleans, Vierzon, Limoges. There must be some on that route now,

    Friends of ours crossed on Tuesday; they got diesel no problem on the A16 southbound (second service station they said, but no name mentioned).  Today they are travelling from Blangy-sur-Bresle (off the A28 south of Abbeville) to Moulin Fort, Chenonceaux.  They have decided to travel on autoroute via Le Mans, rather than N roads.  I'm hoping to hear from them later today, and will report back if/when I do.

  • anothersunrise
    anothersunrise Forum Participant Posts: 264
    edited May 2016 #90

    The website DriveEuropeNews.com is good.  Their Twitter account is good too.  

    Seems NE is not as bad as other areas.  South of Lyon having problems now though.  

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2016 #91

    It looks like the next couple of days could be very decisive as to the sticking power of the French union.I think the French government mean to break the CGT union's power this time round.

    peedee

    Write your comments here...I should imagine it will be business as usual and they will waive the white flag.