Driving in France, Highway Travel, International Traffic Symbols
Driving In France differs
little from driving in the USA
except that narrow roads in
the rural countryside and
fast and impatient drivers
among the locals in the city
and on the highways may
be a surprise to the less
than aggressive American
and Canadian motorist. .
little from driving in the USA
except that narrow roads in
the rural countryside and
fast and impatient drivers
among the locals in the city
and on the highways may
be a surprise to the less
than aggressive American
and Canadian motorist. .
Once you leave the
highway,
Will it fit: Highway Travel
is simple enough but the
narrow roads and
Medieval city gates will
make you appreciate the
compact car and Small
RV.
highway,
Will it fit: Highway Travel
is simple enough but the
narrow roads and
Medieval city gates will
make you appreciate the
compact car and Small
RV.
Speed Limits
Speed limits in Europe are
in Kilometers per hour and
are clearly marked along
most roads in France, often
with flashing lights.
Speed bumps do exist on
the roads of France but in
limited numbers and are not
the Mount Everest variety
found on Mexican roads.
They are marked by a tent
like symbol that will at first
fool the US driver looking for
a campsite.
Speed limits in Europe are
in Kilometers per hour and
are clearly marked along
most roads in France, often
with flashing lights.
Speed bumps do exist on
the roads of France but in
limited numbers and are not
the Mount Everest variety
found on Mexican roads.
They are marked by a tent
like symbol that will at first
fool the US driver looking for
a campsite.
130 Kilometers per hour on a clear day 110 in the
rain. Accurately this is 80.77 mph when clear,
68.35 in the rain and by the rule of thumb
described below it comes out to 86 when clear
and 72 when raining: close enough.
rain. Accurately this is 80.77 mph when clear,
68.35 in the rain and by the rule of thumb
described below it comes out to 86 when clear
and 72 when raining: close enough.
Highway Travel
Highway driving is
just like highway
travel in the US with
toll tickets, rest
areas, food and gas
stops all being very
similar. Keep small
change handy in
coins for the
automatic toll gates.
Highway driving is
just like highway
travel in the US with
toll tickets, rest
areas, food and gas
stops all being very
similar. Keep small
change handy in
coins for the
automatic toll gates.
Highway Travel, Car Rental, International Traffic Symbols
In France the Highway Traffic Laws vary little from the US, Canada, or Mexico
Driving in France: No
driving test needed, renting
a car very similar.
driving test needed, renting
a car very similar.
Familiar highway gas
stops will make highway
driving easy in France for
American and Canadian
drivers.
While the Mexican motorist
will not find Pemex, the
International Traffic
Symbols and laws will be
familiar
Gas is more expensive at
the highway stops than in
the city or village market
stops will make highway
driving easy in France for
American and Canadian
drivers.
While the Mexican motorist
will not find Pemex, the
International Traffic
Symbols and laws will be
familiar
Gas is more expensive at
the highway stops than in
the city or village market
Gassing up on the highway will be much like the
US or Canada with rest stops, café, lavatory, and
information
US or Canada with rest stops, café, lavatory, and
information
The big i for information
The Rotary will be helpful for finding ones way
No Passing
for
commercial
vehicles
for
commercial
vehicles
No
Passing
zone ends
Passing
zone ends
Highway or
Expressway
Expressway
Intersection
with right
of way to
right
with right
of way to
right
| road showing right of way |
| Rotary with yield to traffic in rotary |
| The no parking symbol. The cities in France will have paid parking, usually an automated system with a machine that vends a ticket for placing on the windshield or a ticket that you take on entering and insert and pay on leaving |
Highway speed
Limit, reduced in
rain and fog from
the usual 130 KM
per hour for clear
day speeds on
Franc's toll roads.
Limit, reduced in
rain and fog from
the usual 130 KM
per hour for clear
day speeds on
Franc's toll roads.
| Warning ahead triangle, Europe |
| the No Stopping Symbol |
| the Dead End Symbol |
The International Traffic Symbols in France and most
of Europe use the graphic image rather than language
as found in the USA. Some symbols can be understood
at a glance without fluency in the language.
of Europe use the graphic image rather than language
as found in the USA. Some symbols can be understood
at a glance without fluency in the language.
Save
A diesel vehicle will be less expensive to run. When gassing, note that fuel will be less expensive at the
local filling station or Market in the small town or village than on the highway. Diesel is called diesel or
Gazole in France.
A diesel vehicle will be less expensive to run. When gassing, note that fuel will be less expensive at the
local filling station or Market in the small town or village than on the highway. Diesel is called diesel or
Gazole in France.
Right of Way:
France traffic entering a highway must yield. This is true also in a rotary. In the past
cars entering from the right had the right of way . This law has changed but the
habit lingers.
Signs often denote right of way.
Use caution in the rotary and on country roads when there is traffic entering from
your right.
In Priority Right (Priorite a droite) the vehicle entering from the right once had the right
of way. In small towns and in the center of big cities, the new law has not fully caught
on.
France traffic entering a highway must yield. This is true also in a rotary. In the past
cars entering from the right had the right of way . This law has changed but the
habit lingers.
Signs often denote right of way.
Use caution in the rotary and on country roads when there is traffic entering from
your right.
In Priority Right (Priorite a droite) the vehicle entering from the right once had the right
of way. In small towns and in the center of big cities, the new law has not fully caught
on.
Vehicle in the
rotary has the
right of way
rotary has the
right of way
Highway speed limits and other International Traffic Symbols in France
are graphic images rather than language as found in the USA. Most
symbols can be understood at a glance without fluency in the language.
are graphic images rather than language as found in the USA. Most
symbols can be understood at a glance without fluency in the language.
Driving to Provence: Rental cars are available at CDG Airport and high speed toll roads will speed you to
Provence. A one day trip is possible but a two day trip will allow sightseeing on the way,
Provence. A one day trip is possible but a two day trip will allow sightseeing on the way,
Driving in France includes Highway Travel
where the International Traffic Symbols are
used.
Driving France's highways is otherwise
similar to travel in the US with high speed toll
roads, and rest areas/gas stops
where the International Traffic Symbols are
used.
Driving France's highways is otherwise
similar to travel in the US with high speed toll
roads, and rest areas/gas stops
Driving in France
includes Highway Rest
stops and gas stops.
The International
Traffic Symbols are
used on France's
highways but they are
otherwise similar to
travel in the US with
high speed
(80 MPH) toll roads.
includes Highway Rest
stops and gas stops.
The International
Traffic Symbols are
used on France's
highways but they are
otherwise similar to
travel in the US with
high speed
(80 MPH) toll roads.
Custom Search
Return the rental car with an empty tank? See Policy details
Auto Europe offers selection, price, and ease of booking on the web. . Shop
online well ahead of your trip and choose diesel or gas, luggage space,
standard or automatic, two door, four door and other options. Renting for
more than 17 days; see their options
online well ahead of your trip and choose diesel or gas, luggage space,
standard or automatic, two door, four door and other options. Renting for
more than 17 days; see their options
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Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various towns.
Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are available in all
large cities and at many TGV Train Stations.
Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are available in all
large cities and at many TGV Train Stations.
Information for those renting a vehicle in France and Italy
Save On Air Travel
When traveling by air you can start saving on your air fare by Parking your Car for Two Weeks Free after one
night Lodging in Airport Hotels near your home city. (60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide
The early shuttle from the hotel to the airline terminal will allow you to book an early flight and save money
on the airfare. Two weeks of free parking offsets the cost of the hotel room and you do not need to arrange
for a limo from your home to the airport. Some of the hotels in the program offer Free, 24 hour shuttles to
the airport.
Most hotels offer two Weeks Free parking (link) with one night stay, some three weeks or a reasonable day
rate for extra days.
Cruise passengers can take advantage of these deals also at some hotels. See more info at link below
with detailed information and photos of included hotels with reviews.
Convenient Two Week Free Airport Parking with a one night hotel stay could save you money and
enhance your experience.
When traveling by air you can start saving on your air fare by Parking your Car for Two Weeks Free after one
night Lodging in Airport Hotels near your home city. (60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide
The early shuttle from the hotel to the airline terminal will allow you to book an early flight and save money
on the airfare. Two weeks of free parking offsets the cost of the hotel room and you do not need to arrange
for a limo from your home to the airport. Some of the hotels in the program offer Free, 24 hour shuttles to
the airport.
Most hotels offer two Weeks Free parking (link) with one night stay, some three weeks or a reasonable day
rate for extra days.
Cruise passengers can take advantage of these deals also at some hotels. See more info at link below
with detailed information and photos of included hotels with reviews.
Convenient Two Week Free Airport Parking with a one night hotel stay could save you money and
enhance your experience.
Shop Arles Hotels from $60 USD
Shop Aix-en-Provence Hotels
Photos and reviews from $60 USD
Photos and reviews from $60 USD