When and where you’ll need snow tyres this winter

With the chill of winter in the air, it’s time to get clued up on the Loi Montage II if you’re planning on heading into the mountains any time soon.

Between 1st November 2022 and 31st March 2023, snow tyres are obligatory in a large swathe of towns and villages in the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var as well as 46 other départements across France following the fairly recent adoption of the Loi Montage II in 2020. The rules came into effect last winter, but 2022 will see the full rollout of new signage in the affected regions.

Thorough detailing on the types of tyre acceptable has been published on the French Public Service website: the term “winter tyres” covers all tyres that are marked with M+S, M.S or M&S, or the alpine symbol known as 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) alongside an MS variation. All season or four weather tyres are not considered acceptable if they don’t have one of the previously mentioned symbols. From 2024, only tyres with the 3PMSF option will be valid. In all cases, each wheel of the vehicle must be fitted with snow tyres.

If not changing to winter tyres, drivers must make sure they have snow chains or snow socks for a minimum of two out of four wheels in the boot.

Those flouting the rules risk a 135€ fine if they are stopped by police.

Alpes-Maritimes

Snow equipment is required in the following communes in the Alpes-Maritimes: Amirat, Andon, Ascros, Auvare, Bairols, Belvédère, Beuil, Bezaudun-les-Alpes, Bonson, Breil-sur-Roya, Briançonnet, Caille, Caussols, Chateauneuf-d’Entraunes, Clans, Coaraze, Coursegoules, Daluis, Duranus, Entraunes, Escragnolles, Fontan, Gars, Gilette, Gorbio, Gourdon, Gréolières, Guillaumes, Ilonse, Isola, La Bollène-Vésubie, La Brigue, La Croix-sur-Roudoule, La Penne, La Tour, Lantosque, Le Mas, Les Mujouls, Levens, Lieuche, Lucéram, Malaussène, Marie, Massoin, Moulinet, Peille, Péone, Pierlas, Pierrefeu, Puget-Rostang, Puget-Théniers, Revest-les-Roches, Rigaud, Rimplas, Roquebillière, Roubion, Roure, Saint-Antonin, Saint-Auban, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, Sainte-Agnès, Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée, Saint-Léger, Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée, Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, Saorge, Sauze, Seranon, Sospel, Tende, Thiery, Toudon, Touët-sur-Var, Tourette-du-Chateau, Tournefort, Utelle, Valdeblore, Valderoure, Venanson, Villars-sur-Var and Villeneuve-d’Entraunes.

Var

Snow equipment is required in the following communes in the Var: Aiguines, Baudinard, La Roque-Esclapon, Montmeyan, Ampus, Brenon, La Verdière, Régusse, Artignosc, Chateaudouble, Le Bourguet, Seillans, Aups, Chateauvieux, Les Salles-sur-Verdon, St Julien le Montagnier, Bargème, Comps sur Artuby, Moissac-Bellevue, Tourtour, Bargemon, La Bastide, Mons, Trigance, Bauduen, La Martre, Montferrat and Vérignon.

 

 

Photo source: Katja Ritvanen for Unsplash

All you need to know about No Finish Line 2022

Get your trainers ready… No Finish Line is back to its original format and this year’s goal is an ambitious one!

After Covid and restrictions on gatherings disrupted the race for two years, the hugely popular No Finish Line race is going back to its original format. 

Participants try to rack up as many kilometres as possible on a track departing from the Chapiteau Fontvieille in a non-stop 24-hour walking and running race that extends over several days; this year from noon on Saturday 12th to Sunday 20th November. Both individuals and groups can sign up, which encourages businesses, associations and friends from Monaco and beyond to band together to raise money for sick and disadvantaged children. For every kilometre, the charity Children & Future has committed to donating €1 to support such projects. 

This year’s ambitious goal is to cover a collective 400,000 kilometres and mobilise 10,000 people. This will add significantly to the grand totals accumulated since 1999 of 4,235,471 kilometres with 154,661 participants who have raised €4,562,288.  

To add to the excitement, AS Monaco Basketball star Yakuba Ouattara will be sponsoring the event for the second year in a row and a special off-stadium race with the French Athletics Federation will take place from 9am on Saturday 19th November until 9am on Sunday 20th November. Another highlight is the 12-Hour Trophy, a battle for the most kilometres gained between 9am and 9pm on the final day of the event.  

The Semeurs d’Espoir Monaco association will also be on site throughout the event, collecting second-hand trainers for vulnerable people.  

To register for No Finish Line, visit the website on www.childrenandfuture.com or, if after 10th November, register in person at the Chapiteau Fontvieille.  

 

Photo source: Palomba