Devy’s Top Tips for Travellers Driving In France
- In France, we drive on the right.
- Every passenger as well as the driver must wear their belt at all times.
- The use of mobile phones is prohibited whilst driving.
- The speed limits in France are 50 km/h in built up areas, 90 km/h on ordinary roads, 110 km/h on major roads and 130 km/h on motorways.
- If you’re on the motorway and it’s wet, you must drop to 110 km/h.
- Be careful to not park in a zone d’enlèvement – your car will be towed away.
- Also look out for a sign saying Interdit de stationer le samedi – Jour de marché (No parking on Saturdays, Market day). Your car will be towed away.
- If there are no cars when you park, don’t think it’s luck, it is probably because the locals know that there is a market on!
To hear how they sound, please click here:
French phrases to know if you’re planning to drive in France
| JE CHERCHE UN PARKING | zhuh shehrsh uñ parkeeng | I AM LOOKING FOR A CAR PARK… |
| ON PEUT SE GARER ICI? | oñ puh suh garayeesee | CAN WE PARK HERE? |
| COMBIEN DE TEMPS PEUT-ON SE GARER ICI? | koñ-byañ duh toñ puht-oñ suh garayeesee? | HOW LONG CAN I PARK HERE FOR?… |
| NOUS ALLONS À… | nooz aloñ a… | WE’RE GOING TO…… |
| POUVEZ-VOUS ME MONTRER SUR LA CARTE? | poovayvoo muh moñtray soor la kart | CAN YOU SHOW ME ON THE MAP?… |
| POUR REJOINDRE L’AUTOROUTE, S’IL VOUS PLAÎT? | poor ruh-zhwandrl ohtohroot seel vooh pleh | HOW DO I GET ONTO THE MOTORWAY?… |
| IL FAUT PAYER … ? | eel foh payay | DO I NEED TO PAY … ? |
| QUEL EST LE MEILLEUR ITINERAIRE? | kel eh luh may-yuhree-teenay-rehr | WHAT’S THE BEST ROUTE? |
