Was cycling one of those small access roads that straddle the very large main roads. There was a wall between that and the main road. A police van and fire engine were blocking the road, and it was cordoned off with tape. I went on the pavement, very slowly, walking pace. But the municipal police stopped me and asked for my passport. I didnt know what was going on so I just gave it to them, I should have said I dont have it with me. So they fined me. I dont really know the rules in paris, I asked them but they didnt explain them to me. My travel companion did the exact same thing as me, but wasnt fined. I feel like it was entrapment a little bit. Also, it took a while, so I smoked a cigarette, knowing this policeman was an arse I knew better than to toss the butt on the floor. But I had to put the thing out on the floor rather than my own bare skin, and the bastard tried to fine me for that even as a was putting the butt in mp pannier pocket.
I have a really long and complicated address through living in a tower block in london, and the guy seemed to struggle with logging it and it seemed like he eventually gave up on his third attempt to write it, as I spelled it very fast trying to blur as much detail in my accent, he said I have your name thats enough. So hopefully I dont even receive the fine. But I think I am considering not paying it, since im not french, and that guy was an arsehole.
Has anyone been fined in france? is it the kind of thing that will make it difficult to come back here if I dont pay it?
Cycling on the pavement is not allowed in France. In rural France you might get away with it when the pavement / sidewalk is wide and it’s a quiet town, but in Paris you can bet they are very strict when it comes to pedestrian safety.
If you do a lot of bike tours I recommend looking up the local laws to make sure you’re prepared for situations like this in the future.
Regardless, hope you had a good time biking around. Paris is a mess at the moment due to the Olympics coming up, so some leniency would have been nice. Unlucky for you, I suppose.
I normally just try to stick to roads and cycle paths regardless. It was an error of judgement and I guess ive learnt the expensive way.
Yeah paris was a mess. I couldnt get near the eiffel tower with all the closures, and im surprised police werent posted there collecting fines as it is carnage trying to figure out where you are and arent allowed. But I will stop past a few more landmarks on the way to gare du nord to get the train to calais tomorrow.
We took avenue verte into paris, we are camped 11 miles from notre dame but it was 30 miles on the official route. Very nice, we saw a lot of paris that you wouldnt see visiting the city centre.
Sounds like you had a good time regardless of the chaos and annoying roads. I hope the fine doesn’t make it to your doorstep!
I got this close and decided not to pursue it any further