The One Day Of The Week Tourists Should Avoid Getting Gas In France

The needle points to "E." The car is still running, and you can squeeze out a few more miles, but you need fuel, fast. You drive down a road in rural France, scanning the horizon for a "station-service" (gas station). At last you spot one — your heart hammers with relief as you turn into the lot. But then you notice something: The lights are out in the station. No other cars are parked or idling. The place is lifeless.

You step out of the car and face the pump. Now you remember — it's Sunday, which means most businesses in France are closed, including rural service stations. You pull out your credit card and take a breath. You really hope this works ...

This is the situation some travelers encounter in France, as they motor across the country: the closed service station. Managers don't lock their doors on Sundays because they feel like it, but because French law requires them to. Several European nations have similar policies, most notably neighboring Germany. There are many exceptions to this rule, and you can expect bigger stations on the autoroutes (or highways) to operate 24/7. Meanwhile, many pumps are self-serve, which means you'll have to use a credit card. As some frustrated travelers have learned, self-operated pumps sometimes decline foreign cards, and a "fermé" sign means there's no one around to help.

There are several solutions to this problem: First, make sure your tank is full before the weekend starts, and don't do anything that will burn all your gas by Monday morning. You may not love this plan, given the recreational nature of weekends. France is full of underrated tourist attractions, which are best accessed by car, and weekends may seem like the best time to go. Plus, the country has 7,450 miles of autoroutes to explore, as well as endless scenic byways and rural roads. This leads to the second solution: sticking to the main highways. Major stations on the autoroutes almost always stay open on Sundays, and the stores are usually staffed. If you have any issues with your credit card, you will likely find an ATM or other assistance available.

Renting a car in France will already come with a few considerations, and the last thing an acclimating traveler needs is to run out of gas in some sleepy village. A car is a great way to get around France, especially once you leave the big cities and drive through the countryside. Note that a lot of retail across France still closes at midday — another idiosyncrasy of French business hours — so many shops and markets won't be available between noon and 2 p.m., even on weekdays. With these minor hurdles in mind, bon voyage!