Road network

France's autoroute network covers the country thoroughly, connecting every major city with divided highways in consistently good condition. Most autoroutes are toll roads operating on a per-kilometer basis: drivers collect a ticket at entry and pay on exit by card, cash, or transponder. A full cross-country drive involves a significant toll cost, making France one of the pricier European countries to cross by motorway. Free routes on national and departmental roads exist for almost every journey but add considerable time. Toll fees change over time, so checking current rates before a long trip is sensible. Speed limits are 130 km/h on motorways in dry conditions, dropping to 110 km/h in rain, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 50 km/h in towns. Fixed and mobile speed cameras are common, and fines reach foreign-registered vehicles by post.

The minimum driving age is 18. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. Daytime running lights are required. Winter tires or chains are mandatory from November 1 through March 31 in 48 designated mountain departments, covering the Alps, Pyrenees, Massif Central, Vosges, and Jura. The emergency number is 112. Priority to the right applies on many unmarked intersections and catches foreign drivers off guard in towns where it is not signed. Notable drives include the Route des Grandes Alpes from Lake Geneva to Nice, the corniche roads above the Côte d'Azur, and the Loire Valley chateaux corridor. On a handful of older roundabouts, particularly in Paris, vehicles entering have priority rather than those already on the roundabout, and the rule is signed at the approach.