Road types

Roads range from the narrow single-lane roads in the countryside to major highways.

Most towns and cities were built before the general availability of the automobile and thus city centers tend to be unwieldy for cars, especially large ones. The most scenic roads in mountain areas also tend to be winding and narrow. Keep this in mind when renting: large cars can be very unwieldy. In cities, it often makes sense to just park and then use public transportation.

Roads are classified into:

  • A''xxx'': Autoroute (Motorway/freeway) (red number sign)
  • N''xxx'': national road (red number sign; sometimes referred to as RN''xx'')
  • D''xxx'': departmental road (yellow number sign; sometimes referred to as RD''xx'' or CD''xx'')
  • There also are municipal (white number sign) and forestry roads (green number sign).

    Note that though major map brands also use a red/yellow/white chart for roads, it has a different meaning: red means major road, yellow means intermediate road and white means minor, local road. A departmental road may be major, for instance.

    Note that "Routes Departementales" are strictly that: each Departement has its own D1, D2, etc., and D-road numbers change at Departement boundaries. The government has gradually transferred national roads to departements; they are then generally numbered in a way that reminds of the original numbering. For instance, in some ''departements'', national road number ''xx'' becomes departmental road number 9''xx'', in others ''60xx'', in others ''90xx''. Older signs and maps may refer to the original number.

    Autoroutes, national roads and most departmental roads are almost always in good or excellent conditions. In some rural areas, secondary departmental roads may have worse conditions. In mountainous areas, roads may also have been damaged by frost, landslides and so on, though such dangers are always signposted.

    Main roads are signposted with the names of towns or cities in the direction you're going and only secondarily with the road number. Directions in green are for major destinations through major highways ; in blue, for directions through Autoroutes. ''Peage'' means "toll". When driving out of towns, look for ''toutes directions'' ("all destinations") or ''autres directions'' ("all other destinations", i.e. all places other than the ones on an adjacent sign), which will point you to the main route.

    If you have time, use the smaller roads. The speed is decent and you don't pay tolls; however you'll have to slow down to 50 kph when driving through villages. But you have the opportunity to drive through small towns and villages, stop and grab a bite in the restaurants or buy local wine.

    Detailed maps (1/200000 scale approximately) are highly advisable unless you stick only to main cities and main highways. France has many useful or scenic secondary roads that you will not find on less detailed maps. Michelin and IGN provide good maps; they also make bound atlases containing all maps for metropolitan France (the European French territory). GPS with a detailed map may also be a good choice, especially if you do not have a passenger.

    Do not underestimate driving times, especially if not going by ''autoroute''. A rule of thumb is to expect an average speed of 60 km/h going by major roads outside ''autoroutes''.

    Autoroutes

    Most of the ''autoroute'' (motorway/freeway) links are '''toll roads'''. Some have a toll station giving you access to a section, others have entrance and exit toll stations, and it is not entirely uncommon to encounter both on the same ''autoroute''. Don't lose your entrance ticket or you will be charged for the longest distance plus additional fees. All toll stations accept major credit cards but you can use the automatic booth (''Telepeage'') only if your card is equipped with an appropriate transponder.

    Paying tolls is quite easy - just insert a credit card (or give it to the cashier along with your ticket) and go (Note that Maestro and Visa Electron cards are not accepted.) You can pay with coins as well. Sometimes you get a ticket to calculate the toll. You may have to slide the ticket and then the credit card into the same slot or into two different slots. Generally, though, bills greater than ?100 are '''not''' accepted at toll booths.

    Cities

    The speed limit inside cities is 50 km/h, though some wide avenues may be specifically labeled 70 km/h.

    Almost all French cities were built before the mass availability of automobiles. Streets in city centers may date from the Middle Ages or the early modern era. Expect an irregular map, narrow streets, one-way streets, pedestrians crossing the streets even if they have a red light, cobblestones and pedestrian areas. It is almost always a better idea to leave your car at a parking lot before visiting a historical center.

    It is often difficult to find a particular street inside a city. Street names are written on small signs, which makes them difficult to read from a car, especially if traffic is moving. It is almost always compulsory to have a street map for the city you are visiting in order to find a particular street. Street maps can be bought from newsagents and libraries. If you end up in an unknown city and you do not have a map, it may make sense to head for the train station ("gare") since it will have both a parking lot and a newsagent. Finding a street in a small town or village can be a challenge since publishers do not produce maps for these.

    The outside of cities, in contrast, was often built after automobiles were widespread. All cities have several commercial areas outside of town where large supermarkets and other stores are located in the midst of large parking lots; often there will also be budget hotels such as ''Formule 1'' or ''Premiere Classe''. Though these areas are unappealing and not so "typical", they are perhaps the most handy place to buy supplies if you have a car.

    Mountains

    France has several mountaineous areas: the Vosges, the Jura, the Alps, the ''Massif Central'' and the Pyrenees. In the winter, due to the snow, some roads (especially passes) may be closed to traffic, and some may require special equipment (snow chains). Roads leading to passes have signs that say whether the pass (''col'') is open (''ouvert'' green sign) or closed (''ferme'' red sign).

    Expect for the highest passes, most of the major roads are kept usable using snowplows. This may not be true of some secondary roads.

    During winter vacations, especially in the weekends, expect traffic jams on roads leading to skiing resorts.

    Traffic rules

    France drives on the right.

    Unless clearly posted on the road you are using, you are supposed to yield (give way) to any vehicle coming from your right from another public thoroughfare. However, roads generally work along a system of "priorities": main thoroughfares will be flagged as "priority" and all crossroads will yield.

    ''Priorite a droite'' - the old French system was to give priority to all traffic coming from the right. This still applies at unmarked crossroads in the countryside, in small villages, as well as minor streets inside cities etc. Most other road crossings have some kind of priority system implemented. Yellow square signs (rotated 45__) indicate that your road is prioritary (all other roads must yield); a yellow lozenge with a bar shows ends this. Watch out; for drivers from other countries this is one of the most confusing aspects of French driving.

    France uses many roundabouts. In the old days, roundabouts were signposted by a round blue sign, and drivers inside the roundabout had to yield to incoming traffic (which came from their right). This changed 20 years ago, and almost all roundabouts have been converted to a system, marked using a triangular sign and "yield" signs, in which drivers from outside the roundabout have to yield to drivers inside the roundabout. Though many American drivers seem to fear roundabouts, there is actually nothing to them: just yield to the traffic inside the roundabout, and turn right at the exit you wish. Two advantages to roundabouts: if you are unsure of the road to take, you can simply go round the roundabout until you have decided; and they make it easy to make a U-turn.

    Signposts used in France are patterned according to EU recommendations and use mostly pictograms (not text). The following signs are essential for finding your way on a map and avoiding tickets.

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    Traffic lights

  • Traffic lights go directly from red to green, there is '''NO''' red-and-amber phase to warn you they are about to change. If you are slow in reacting, you may get a gentle horn reminder from the car behind. The lights are high and cannot be seen if you are the first car in the queue, but there is a small repeater light at head height on the post for this purpose.
  • Lights have a amber phase when switching from green to red. You may pass an amber light only if you aren't able to stop safely. However, take care in big cities in rush hours if the traffic seems nervous, as many driver will attempt to pass amber light and may assume you will do.
  • Some aggressive French drivers pass even though the light has just turned red. This is not only dangerous, but also illegal.
  • In case of traffic jam, you are not allowed to pass a ''green'' light if you are not sure to be able to clear the intersection before the light switch back to red.
  • You are '''NOT''' allowed to turn right on a red light, unless there is an amber right-arrow flashing, and after yielding to any vehicle on the other road.
  • If the lights are off or amber-flashing, you must follow the sign that may be present on the light pole. If there isn't, the ''priorite a droite'' apply : yield to any vehicle coming from your right. Take extra-care and reduce speed in such cases, as disabled lights are quite uncommon and may leads to confusing situation.
  • Renting cars

    Most cars in France have stick shifts (manual gearbox), which you may find difficult or even impossible to operate if you have only driven automatic transmissions. If you rent a car and you want an automatic, be sure to explicitly request so in advance.

    Many personal cars run on diesel; make sure you know whether your car is Diesel or gasoline (petrol). Diesel cars are more economical to operate than gasoline cars.

    Traffic offences

    Law enforcement forces (depending on the area, ''Police Nationale'' or ''Gendarmerie'') may stop you in order to check that you have a valid driving license, valid insurance, and that your vehicle has passed safety tests. In the case of rental cars, the insurance and safety documents are provided by the rental company. If you have your own motor vehicle, you'll have to show the European "green card" proving you have insurance.

    If you park illegally, law enforcement forces or traffic wardens will put a ticket under your dashboard. You can pay it by personal check drawn from a French bank (not very useful for tourists) or by buying a "timbre fiscal" (tax stamp) from a tobacconist, stick it on the ticket, and mail it to the authorities. If you actually see the law enforcement agent, you can also pay him directly in cash on by check to the Public Treasury, in exchange for a receipt. Technically, you can also challenge the fine in court if inappropriate, but this is probably to be left to people with lots of time on their hands. If you commit a traffic offense using a rental car and you do not pay it directly (e.g. speeding tickets by photo radar), the rental car company will bill you for them and may apply a surcharge.

    The government has for the last 5 years increased the repression of speeding. Law enforcement sometimes read your ticket at the toll station to see how long you took since joining the autoroute: (as of 2005) they are not allowed to use that info to give you a speeding ticket. On the other hand, be aware that there is a new automatic photo-radar system that is being implemented throughout France. For the moment, this system is most commonly found along major highways, and near major cities, but it expands quickly. Large brown rectangular signs warn when you are entering an automatic photo-radar area.

    A few tips about photo-radar area:

  • If you find that the average speed of other (French) cars is surprisingly lower than five minute before, then you must have entered such an area.
  • Law enforcement forces may install mobile photo-radar system. You'll be warned but the sign is much smaller than for permanent area.
  • Your speed may also be controlled virtually anywhere, without warning. In such a case, you'll be directly intercepted and fined if you committed a speeding offense. Very often, these controls are less strict than photo-radar: for example, if the speed limit is 110 km/h, you will be intercepted only if you exceed, say, 120 km/h. Note that this is just a common tolerance and NOT a general rule. Do not rely too much on it!
  • When not otherwise specified, the speed limit is 130 km/h on freeways motorways (specified to 110 km/h in urban areas), 110 on divided highways (always specified), 90 km/h otherwise and 50 km/h in city areas. In wet conditions, these limits are reduced to, respectively, 110 km/h, 100 km/h, 80 km/h and 50 km/h. In case of snowy/icy conditions, or under heavy fog, the speed is limited to 50 km/h on all roads.

    As of October 2005, the typical fines for speeding are:

  • <20 km/h above limit: 68? (90? in city area), 1 demerit point ;
  • 20 to 50km/h above limit: 90? to 250?, 2 to 4 demerit points ;
  • >50km/h above limit: 1500?, minimum 6 demerit points.
  • Drunk driving is a very serious offense. The tolerated limit is 0.50 g/l (0.05% BAC) in blood, being above this limit is thus illegal and can entitle you a fine up to 750? and 6 demerit points. If you are found above 0.80 g/l (0.08% BAC), or if you refuse to pass the test, the fine may reach 4500? followed by an immediate withdrawal of your driving license; jail sentences and confiscation of the vehicle are also possible.

    All passengers are required to wear their seat belt and children under 10 must use the back seat, unless there are no rear seats or the they are all occupied by children under 10 (fine 135? per persons not wearing a seat belt, 1 demerit point if the offender is the driver.) For more information visit [http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/AA_France_Monaco.pdf The AA].

    Being caught with a radar detector, even in your luggage is a serious offense and will result in the device being confiscated and a fine of '''at least ?2000'''

    Talking on a hand held mobile phone while driving in France is forbidden.

    In theory, motor vehicles have to yield to pedestrians that have started crossing the street, and are encouraged to stop for those who have not started. In practice, though, many French drive more aggressively. Keep in mind, though, that they are more used to local conditions than you are.

    Many pedestrians cross the street outside of marked crossings or when they have a red light but they feel they have sufficient time, especially in large cities such as Paris. Cyclists also engage in daring maneuvers. Remember that even if a pedestrian or a cyclist should not have crossed your road according to traffic rules, if you harm him, you will always be held responsible for damages (in practice, your insurance will pay), and you may also be prosecuted for failing to control your vehicle.

    The kind of "creative" driving commonly found in Mediterranean countries is not accepted in France, and is likely to lead to accidents, or to arrest by law enforcement.

    Fuel

    Three types of fuels are generally available: diesel (''Diesel'', ''gasoil'' or ''gazole''), lead-free 95RON-octane gasoline (''Sans plomb 95''), lead-free 98RON-octane gasoline (''Sans plomb 98''). Leaded gasoline (''super'') is no longer available.

    All cars accepting ''Sans plomb 98'' also accept ''Sans plomb 95''. Very few current cars, if any, require ''sans plomb 98'' (it seems to be mostly used for older cars designed for leaded 97RON gasoline).

    Gas stations are found in all cities and towns along highways as well as on supermarket parking lots. Supermarket gas stations (''Carrefour'', ''Intermarche'' and so on) tend to be cheaper than petroleum brands (''Total'', ''Shell''), and they tend to have automatic machines working with credit cards at all hours and days.

    It may be difficult to find open gas stations at night or on sundays in rural areas, though a good method is to look for a supermarket.

    On ''autoroutes'', gas stations are found in service areas (''aires de services''). They tend to be more expensive than gas stations outside ''autoroutes''.

    Some gas stations also dispense liquefied petroleum gas (''gas de petrole liquefie'' or GPL), but these are often difficult to find outside of major highways. Indoor parking is prohibited for LPG cars without a safety valve.

    Traffic jams

    As in many other countries, roads and streets in cities tend to be jammed at hours where most people commute to and from work. In addition, roads leading to and from tourist destinations will tend to be jammed at the beginning and end of vacations. This is for instance the case of the A7 motorway in the Rhone Valley (with all the vacationers from Northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands etc. going South).

    Check for jamming conditions and other issues on major roads at ''[http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr Bison Fute]''.

    Final Tips

    The following are some simple final points that should be taken into consideration when driving in France:

  • You must be at least 18 years of age, and possess a valid driving licence from your home country
  • It is very important that you stop at STOP signs, failing to do so can result in a spot fine
  • Driving in major cities such as Paris, Marseille and Lyon is not generally recommended, as they can be difficult to navigate around and parking is near impossible. You'd be better off parking in the suburban areas and using public transport to get in the city centre. Many motorists do not pay the required fee when parking, and this has resulted in a dramatic rise in clamping. Parking in restricted area's will often result in your car's being towed.