If you're intent on hitching, you'll have to rely almost exclusively on car drivers, as lorries very rarely give lifts. Even so, it won't be easy. Looking as clean and respectable as possible makes a very big difference, as conversations with French drivers soon make clear. Experience also suggests that hitching the less-frequented D roads is much quicker. In mountain areas a rucksack and Hiking gear will help procure a lift from fellow aficionados.Autoroutes are a special case. Hitching on the autoroute itself is strictly illegal, but you can make excellent time going from one service station to another. After service stations, tollgates are the second best (and legal) option; ordinary approach roads can be disastrous. Look out for the free autoroute maps showing all the service stations, tollgates (péages), exits, etc. For major long-distance rides, and for a greater sense of safety, you might consider using the national hitching organization, Allostop, 8 rue Rochambeau (on square Montholon), 75009 Paris (Mon–Fri 10am–1pm & 2–6.30pm, Sat 10am–1pm & 2–5pm; tel 01.53.20.42.42, pcb.ecritel.fr/allostop; Mº Cadet). The cost comprises a registration fee (from €4 for a journey under 200km up to a maximum of €10 if more than 500km, or you can buy a €36 membership card which is good for eight trips over two years), plus a charge of 33 cents per passenger for every 10 kilometres of the journey.
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