We disembarked the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton on June 20, patted the ship like an old friend (“you were a lady”), then detoured for a few days while our post-Brexit rental-car paperwork creaked through the system. Bureaucracy may run on ink and stamps, but it apparently naps weekends.
Then—drumroll—the day arrived. Bags in the boot, snacks up front, hearts going pitter-pat like a faulty turn signal. We queued, waved a fond au revoir to the UK officers, and—still physically in Britain, mind you—rolled forward to the French controls, where the vibe shifted from drizzle energy to “bienvenue, it’s sunny, have you tried a proper croissant yet?” The officers were kind, the sky was that postcard blue, and somewhere between the booths and the “FR” sign I felt the tiniest click: this is home now.
Were we cool and composed? Reader, I said “bonjour” twice in a row like a doorbell. Still counts.
Practical notes we learned (and links if you’re doing this soon)
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Hired car leaving the UK: Bring the VE103 Vehicle on Hire Certificate (your rental company sorts this). It’s the accepted stand-in for the V5C when you drive a hired/leased car abroad. (GOV.UK)
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Insurance/green card: For EU driving, UK motorists generally do not need to carry a green card now (you still need valid insurance, of course). (GOV.UK)
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In-car kit for France: You must carry a hi-vis vest (within reach) and a warning triangle. (Bonus: check tires, etc.). (Service-Public)
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Eurotunnel/ferry prep: Check the operator’s pre-travel checklist for docs (licence, insurance, V5/VE103), API, and any extras. (LeShuttle)
(Related posts on the blog: renting a UK car to drive into France; the “Euro car kit” shopping list.)
Language corner: what we actually said (and what you can say)
A1
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Bonjour ! Voici nos passeports. — Hello! Here are our passports.
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Nous allons en France pour habiter. — We’re going to live in France.
A2
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Nous avons une voiture de location. Voici le VE103. — We have a rental car. Here’s the VE103.
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Nous avons une assurance valide. — We have valid insurance.
B1
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Nous venons d’Angleterre, et nous emménageons à Aix-en-Provence. — We’re coming from England and moving to Aix.
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Nous avons attendu l’autorisation du loueur pour sortir du Royaume-Uni. — We waited for the rental company’s permission to leave the UK.
B2
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Tous les documents sont à jour : permis, assurance, et certificat de location. — All documents are up to date: licence, insurance, and hire certificate.
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Nous avons aussi le gilet haute visibilité et le triangle. — We also have the hi-vis vest and triangle.
Advanced
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C’est notre premier passage en tant que résidents — on a hâte de s’installer et de contribuer à la vie locale. — First crossing as residents—can’t wait to settle in and contribute locally.
Tiny wins & “note to self”
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Remember: say one “bonjour,” not three.
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Pack the vest where you can grab it without doing yoga in the hard shoulder.
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When the officer says “Bonne journée !” you do not panic—smile back and mean it.
Your turn 👇
Have you crossed from the UK to France recently—tunnel or ferry? What surprised you, what went smoothly, and what French phrase saved the day? Share a tip for A1/A2/B1/B2 or advanced learners, or drop a link that helped you. On papote à Aix !
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