SOME BASIC ROAD SIGNS SOME OF WHICH ARE UNIQUE TO FRANCE !!

The same as the UK however in France you MUST STOP (if on a motorbike stop and put your foot down). It could be an on the spot fine from a gendarme if you don't come to a complete stop, even if you can see it’s clear for a mile in every direction!

National speed limits (unless otherwise stated) are: Auto-Routes (Motorways) 130km/h (80 mph) or 110km/h (69 mph) when raining, Dual carriageways 110 km/h (69 mph) or 100 km/h (62 mph) when raining, on single carriageway roads 90 km/h (56 mph) or 80 km/h (50 mph) when raining. Some regions still enforce 80kmh and 70kmh if raining. In towns/villages 50 km/h (31 mph) or 30 km/h if indicated (18 mph).

This means you are on the road with priority over the junction

Much more importantly - this sign indicates you are approaching a side road or crossroads and you DO NOT HAVE PRIORITY. In other words you must give way to any traffic approaching from your right. Sometimes you may not be able to see approaching traffic - so SLOW right down and approach with caution. There may not be any road markings.

When entering towns and villages you will see this sign that indicates you are entering an area where you have priority over any vehicles approaching from junctions on the right.

CAUTION! If you see this sign when entering towns and villages you DO NOT HAVE PRIORITY over vehicles joining your road from the right. You MUST stop and allow them to enter the road.

If you approach a main road and the vehicles to your left stop and allow you out onto the road it will probably mean they have seen this sign when entering the town/village, however take care as the cars approaching from your right do not have to stop to allow you onto the road!! (Only in France!)

This sign is generally seen on the approach to a roundabout to say you must give way to traffic on the roundabout.

This sign is mainly seen at junctions and means you MUST give way to traffic from your left.

Speed camera warning signs are normally sited before a fixed speed camera.

Please note that in certain regions of France the large white sign advising of fixed speed cameras are being removed and no notification is given that there is a camera. However some of these signs are being replaced with a solar powered LED speed indicator so if you see one of these on the side of the road, generally in a 90 kmh zone, you can bet that there will be a fixed speed camera somewhere after it.

Older cameras face forwards BUT be careful as the newer ones take pictures of the rear of the vehicle (as in UK) and some even face both ways…… Ouch! Oh and they are generally grey!

Mobile radar guns, as used by the Gendarmes, do not have any warning signs and Radar detectors are illegal to use/have in France.

As you enter towns or villages the name will be on a road sign like this, normally with the road number and any other extra signs like the yellow diamond higher up the list here.

Speed limit in towns and villages is 50kmh and some are 30kmh

When leaving the town/village the sign will have a red line through it indicating you are leaving the village and, normally, the 90 km/h speed limit now applies, unless otherwise signed.