TOURING IN FRANCE

FRANCE possesses a wide variety of dirt tracks that meander through very diverse landscapes: from coastal plains in the north and west to the mountain ranges of the Alps in the south-east, and from the remote Massif Central in the south-central to the Pyrenees in the south-west.

Finding a network of dirt tracks in France requires research, and when located you need to know if you’re allowed to drive on them. Generally, you’re allowed to use an existing public lane, though look out for signs that read ‘propriété privée’ which means ‘private property’. In France, the same rules apply to driving on greenlanes as in the UK and many other European countries: drive slowly and in small groups, and keep litter in your car.

The tracks are mostly in good condition but can be dusty and rough in spots, particularly in mountainous areas. By booking a tour with companies like Battlefields by 4x4, you won’t have to worry about tracks to take as it’ll tailor the tour to suit your areas of interest. www.greatwar.co.uk/places/sommecamping.htm