-
Strikes and protests in January 2026 and how you may be affected
Doctors, rail staff, and farmers are all taking action
-
Good news as lower electricity bills confirmed in France
The change is not a ‘revolution’ but will give some purchasing power back, minister says
-
French ski resorts report excellent Christmas despite less snow than last year
Bookings are up and non-snow related activities are also on the rise
Car stopped on A7 for luggage 400kg over legal limit
A holidaymaker travelling to the south of France has been stopped by police for carrying 400kg worth of excess baggage strapped to his car.
The Renault Laguna was travelling south on the A7 motorway near Valence (Drôme) when it was intercepted, and was found to be stuffed full of luggage and objects, including next to the driver’s seat and in the car itself, as well as two huge parcels wrapped in plastic and strapped precariously on the top and back of the vehicle.
The car was found to be weighing 400kg more than the official authorised limit for a vehicle, which is two tonnes, including car, bags, and passengers.
The driver was fined 135€ and was forced to take off the excess weight - transferring it to another vehicle - before continuing his journey.
Advertisment
Finding the humour in the situation, the national gendarmerie posted a photo of the car on their Facebook page, sarcastically calling the driver “the champion of the weekend”.
On a more serious note, the gendarmerie warned: “It is dangerous to drive a car that is too heavy and badly secured: the braking distance will be much longer [to stop] and it is much more difficult to handle the vehicle.”
