Driving through France en route to Costa Blanca

If all is legal and government guidelines say we can travel, we hope to be on the road in mid May (subject to all the requirements), we have a little dog and we are looking to hire a one way vehicle for our trip. After speaking with a gentleman last week, who is involved with the vehicle hire company last week, he did as much as he could to try and persuade me not to drive through France, as he said the French were being very awkward towards British travelling through. He suggested to get the ferry to Santander or Bilbao and then drive through from there, however, the cabins for pets are all booked up for ages moving forward and there is no way I would leave my dog alone on the car deck throughout the trip, he’s too sensitive for all of that, so back to my original plan, to go through the channel tunnel and take our time, three to four days drive. The gent also said that he thought that being in a sign written commercial vehicle, might make us more susceptible to scrutiny from French border controls, than if we were just travelling in a car, although due to Brexit, our dog has to have an AHC - Animal Health certificate, which has to be translated into Spanish, although I am thinking that to avoid any potential issue with French border control, to have it also done in French too. The gent also said that he felt the French were ripping people off at the fuel pumps, he quoted 1.83 a liter from only last week and he didn’t paint a pretty picture of the way it’s being handled over there. Has anyone travelled recently in a similar fashion (commercial vehicle) and had any issues that I have highlighted? As much as the gent was trying to look out for me, he was not best pleased with the French way of doing things. So much for entente cordiale eh? All positive advice welcomed and facts and opinions also considered, thank you.

If you don't mind me asking why don't you simply book a flight instead of driving with a rented car? That is literally 10 times faster, 10 times cheaper and 10 times more convenient.

Ericc, you can’t take your dog on the flight. That's the whole point in apricorncup driving over.

Probably because of their dog

“. He suggested to get the ferry to Santander or Bilbao and then drive through from there, however, the cabins for pets are all booked up for ages moving forward and there is no way I would leave my dog alone on the car deck throughout the trip, he’s too sensitive for ...”

Your dig gas to go in a kennel if no pet-friendly cabins are available. Definitely not allowed to stay in the car.

Thank you for being observant folks.

deisel in france is currently1.34 euros litre at supermarkets, probably quoting motorway prices, no problems travelling through France at the moment, just pre book hotels before you travel, have a good trip!!

It concerns me somewhat that you are making plans to come here in May. There is absolutely no way we are all going to be vaccinated here in Spain by May. In fact the way our roll out is going I think even summer is going to be a push. Spain government have said that they hope to be open for summer but it depends on how many of our population is vaccinated. I do appreciate that with your dog it is going to be a case of preparation but I do really think May is going to be unrealistic legally, unless someone knows more about when Spain will open up to the UK freely

Well, let’s put it this way, we won’t be doing anything unless it’s been legally ratified by both countries, so rest assured we will be complying with the relevant health guidelines.

Just been announced on news that France has relaxed rules to allow Brits to enter the country without an essential reason.