When driving in France, simply getting used to driving on the other side of the road can be tricky enough. On top of that, there’s different driving rules to contend with and new road signs that can at first prove difficult to decipher, particularly if your vehicle has broken down and you requireassistance.
To help you drive safely on your holidays, we look at the meaning of some of the more confusing French road signs, as well as some useful French words and phrases that can help you along the way...
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Road signs in France
Important French road signs to learn
Useful French words and phrases for driving
Road signs in France
As in the UK, the shape and colour of French road signs can give you a good idea of what to expect:
- Triangular signs (with a red border and a white background) are warnings – for example, alerting you to a narrowing road ahead or a pedestrian or animal crossing ahead. Yellow triangular signs with a red border are temporary warnings.
- Circular signs (either with a white border and a blue background, or a red border and a white background) are regulatory signs, that inform you of the laws and obligations governing that section of road – for example, prohibiting left turns or overtaking, or highlighting any height or weight restrictions.
- Square signs (normally with a white border and a blue background) are informational signs – for example, advising you of a bus stop or emergency breakdown area.
- Rectangular signs (normally with one pointed end) are directional signs, and helpfully they’re also colour-coded:
- Blue = autoroute / motorway
- Green = major roads
- Yellow = temporary roads - often detours
- White = local roads
Although there is a lot of common crossover between French and UK road signs, there are some important ones that could leave you scratching your head. We’ve had a look at some of the more confusing French road signs for UK drivers.
Important French road signs to learn
Junction ahead: give way
This slightly foreboding warning sign indicates that there is a junction coming up ahead and that you don’t have priority, so you should slow down and give way to the right.
In France they generally follow a system called ‘priorité à droite’ which gives the right of way to cars entering the road from the right.
This even applies to some of the older roundabouts – so even if you’re currently on the roundabout, heading counter-clockwise, you’d have to give way to those joining the roundabout on your right.
Always look out for signs on your approach to any junction or roundabout and go slowly if you're unsure.
Junction ahead: your right of way
Although very different in appearance, this warning sign also indicates that there’s a junction ahead but, in this case, you’ve got priority, so drivers turning into or crossing your road will have to give way.
Give way
If you see this upside-down red triangle with a white background, it means you’re coming up to a junction and need to give way – or as the French say ‘Cédez le passage’.
You might see this phrase underneath the sign, or a number that indicates the distance remaining to the junction.
Priority road
Confusingly, the‘priorité à droite’ system doesn't apply at all times.
Ifyou see this diamond sign with a white edge and yellow background you’re entering a ‘priority road’ which means you have the right of the way instead, and vehicles coming in from the right must give way.
The same sign with a black stripe across signals the end of the priority road and a return to the ‘priorité à droite’ system.
Priority on a turn
You’ll find different variants of this sign placed before junctions, to indicate who has priority when making a turn.
Pay close attention as they normally indicate intersections where the traffic going straight ahead doesn’t have right of way – such as in the example here, where any drivers turning right take priority.
Restricted driving zone
To try and limit air pollution in its major cities, France has introduced several restricted driving areas.
In French they’re called ‘Zone à Circulation Restreinte’ (ZCR), and these signs indicate where they start and end (‘fin de zone’).
The entire central of Paris is a ZCR and you’ll also find permanent and temporary ZCRs in other cities like Lyon, Strasbourg, Lille, Toulouse and Marseille, with more mooted for the near future.
To drive in these areas you need to display a ‘Crit’Air’ vignette – or clean air sticker – on your windscreen, or risk a fine.
The Crit’Air stickers classify your car according to its euro emissions standard on a scale of one to six, depending on how polluting it is.
Depending on the number of your sticker you may not be able to drive in certain areas or at certain times of day.
Find out more about Crit’air stickers and how to get one for your car.
Turn your lights on / off
The phrase ‘allumez vos feux’ instructs you to turn on your lights because you are entering an area where driving lights are mandatory at all times of the day. The sign ‘fin d’allumage des feux’ marks the end of the mandatory lights zone.
Don't forget to pick up some headlightbeam deflectors and install them before your trip- you're required to use these by French law unless you can adjust your beam manually.
Our driving in France kits contain these deflectors along with all the other mandatory items you need to carry with you on your trip.
Accident ahead
If you see this alarming temporary sign up on a French road it means there’s been an accident ahead that’s blocking the road and may cause severe delays.
Roundabout ahead
In general, most French roundabout signs will be accompanied by a ‘give way’ sign or the words ‘Vous n’avez pas la priorité‘, which translates as ‘you don’t have right of way’.
As in the UK, those driving in the roundabout normally have priority, but if you’re entering the roundabout remember you’ll be giving way to the left instead.
There are certain roundabouts in urban areas where drivers entering the roundabout have priority – but if this is the case it will be clearly indicated.
Toll booth ahead
Unlike in the UK, where toll roads are few and far between and easy to avoid, in France toll roads are very common and you’ll have to pay to use the quicker ‘autoroutes’.
The sign ‘halte peage’ indicates you should slow down to stop because you’re approaching a toll booth where you’ll need to pay for the privilege of using the road ahead. You may also see a similar sign with ‘halte police’ or ‘halte gendarmerie’, indicating a mandatory police checkpoint.
Speed limit
Speed limit signs are the same in France and the UK, but it’s worth a reminder that the speed limit here is in kilometres per hour, rather than mph.
As a general rule, the speed limit in French towns and urban areas is normally 50km, and 90km on national roads, going up to 130km on the Autoroute.
Find out more about French speed limits here.
No vehicles carrying explosives
This somewhat alarming looking sign is used to alert drivers carrying explosive or inflammable materials that their access is prohibited.
You could expect to see this road sign ahead of a long tunnel, where recovery and emergency services access would be severely hampered.
These signs apply for people who might be carrying fireworks, gas canisters for barbeques, or fuel for their camping stoves, for example.
Useful French words and phrases for driving
People also ask…
What does the French road sign ‘rappel’ mean?
You’ll often see the word ‘rappel’ underneath speed limit signs in France. It translates as ‘reminder’ and its purpose is to remind you that speed restrictions are still in place, so you need to stick to the specified limit.
Are there stop signs in France?
Yes, the stop signs in France look the same as in the UK, and, helpfully, they usually even display the English word ‘stop’ rather than the French equivalent ‘arrêt’.
What does Bis mean on French road signs?
Occasionally you’ll see the word ‘Bis’ in italics on directional signs before the name of the destination, for example Bis-Lyon or Bis-Toulouse. It points out alternative routes to your destination, that avoid main roads or autoroutes.
Often these Bis-routes follow more scenic roads, rather than the most direct route, so as well as seeing more of the local countryside, they give you a chance to get off more crowded routes in busy driving times.
For more information on the specific rules and regulations governing driving in France and what you need to take with you, read our comprehensive guide to driving in France and our top ten tips to keep you safe.
If you’re planning a road trip to France, make sure you’re covered with European Breakdown Cover. Read more about our dedicated French Breakdown Cover product here.
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