Avoid the toll queues - see below

NEW AIRE IN LOT

The village of Castelnau-Montratier, about 20kms south of Cahors in the Lot deparment of the Midi-Pyrenees has recently opened a new aire located behind the municipal campsite where there are 6 level spaces on tarmac next to a windmill & backing onto open farmland. The parking is about 700m from the village centre, bordered by hedges & there is a Euro-Relais service point with drainage grid (operated by Jetons). This village has a small range of shops/ services & there is also a swimming pool & tennis courts. For full details see the Aires directory.

AND ONE IN CHARENTE-MARITIME

The small town of St Savinien in the Charente-Maritime department, about 20kms east of Rochefort & just off the A20, has opened a new aire - this Municipal aire is located next to the town campsite, on an island in the river, to the west of the town & about 400m from the centre. There is a level tarmac parking area close to the town swimming pool & tennis courts, bordered by trees, lit at night & with a modern artisanal service point with large drainage platform. Parking & services are free -- full details in the Aires directory.

AND ANOTHER IN THE CANTAL

Champagnac in the Cantal, Auvergne -- just south of the aire at Bort les Orgues has also opened a new aire. This new municipal aire is located in the centre of this small town, just off the main road where there is a large drainage platform & a mini Euro-Relais service point. There are only a couple of spaces near to the aire but there are ample spaces at other locations in the town, parking is within 100m of the shops & services -- details in the Aires directory.

WHEN IS AN HOTEL NOT AN HOTEL?

A British tourist has spent a night trapped in a French town hall after mistakenly thinking she could book a room at the "hotel de ville". The hapless female visitor arrived in the Alsace town of Dannemarie on Friday and tried to find a bed for the night. Spotting the impressive-looking "hotel de ville", the tourist popped in to use the toilet before trying to check in.

But as she was in the convenience, officials finished a meeting, left the town hall and locked its door.

The solitary traveller, said to be in her 30s, ended up with the inconvenience of spending the night on chairs in the building's lobby - her plight went unnoticed until Saturday morning when a passer-by noticed a message she posted on the inside of one of the building's glass doors.

TRAFFIC NEWS

Having reached the end of August & with "la rentree" (the return to school) on the 1^st/ 2^nd September, the French holidays have come to an end for another year & once again the traffic has returned to normal at weekends. Whereas every weekend in August had either a "rouge" or "noir" traffic warning, there are now no further warnings of predicted road delays on Bison Fute until Christmas.

LE MANS 24 HOUR -- FOR TRUCKS

Begun in 1981, the 24 Heures Le Mans - Trucks held at the Bugatti Race Track is more than just a sporting event: it's a veritable festival for spectators and professional drivers alike! Over the years, the event has grown to become the most important race of its kind not only in Europe, but in the world. Numerous activities are organized off the track, including a decorated truck contest and spectacular fireworks Saturday evening. -- 19th and 20th September.

SHOW AT PUY DU FOU

On a 20-hectare site, 800 actors cross swords with fire and lights to recount the saga of Le Puy du Fou. Two hours of passion and 700 years of history presented using the latest technology, create a gigantic fresco that has already captivated 6 million spectators - Every Friday and Saturday, until September 12.

PONT D'YEU CYCLE FESTIVAL

For its 7th edition, Vélocéane du Pont d'Yeu [the Pont d'Yeu Bicycle Festival] is inviting cyclists to linger on the trails and the small roads of the countryside of Vendée, around le Lac d'Apremont. It  offers a unique opportunity for discovering an exceptional environment by bicycle in a friendly atmosphere, along trails which are safe and interesting - the routes (18 and 28 kms) leaving from Maché are punctuated by 14 village stop-offs offering tastings of local products, exhibitions, entertainment (shows, dances, etc.), free visits of the sites, rides (in a carriage, on donkeys, in boats and in pedal boats), play areas (with wooden and inflatable structures, etc.) and many other surprises - Sunday 27th September.

PASSPORT CHECKS

We have received prior notification that French Immigration will be carrying out 100% passport and travel documentation checks on all vehicles travelling via the Port of Dover. This will commence between 31st August to 07th September, 2009. You are advised to allow extra time to complete the check-in process.

TELEPEAGE

For regular users of the French autoroutes, it may be worth considering a Liber-t badge. These electronic devices allow you to pass through the "t" barriers & avoid the queues at the toll booths -- a big advantage if you have to use the autoroutes around Paris or those around Lyons where you can queue for up to an hour at peak periods. See the article in the Travel Articles section.