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Dead endFrance

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of France. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
France

24. Dead end

A dead-end road is a road that does not provide a through route for some or all vehicles. It may end completely, terminate at a barrier or continue as a path that only certain road users may use.

Drivers may normally enter a dead-end road to reach homes, businesses, parking places or other destinations, but they must be prepared to turn around or leave by the same route. Signs may indicate that pedestrians or cyclists can continue beyond the point where motor traffic cannot.

A dead end. (Seine-Saint-Denis, France)
Wikimedia.org • Chabe01 • CC BY-SA
What does a dead-end indication mean in France?

France uses impasse information for a dead-end road. A no-through indication is different from a sign prohibiting entry to the road.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French IISR part5, indications and services, September2025 consolidation — IISR5 Article71-1, C13a dead end, C13c pedestrian and C13d pedestrian/cycle continuation.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French road-sign order, Article 5-8, signs EB10 and EB20

Dead end street. Dead end street.

English • Traffic sign C13a • No through road.

Français • Panneau C13a • Impasse.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Arrêté du 24 novembre 1967

© Roulex 45 et les contributeurs Wikimedia • CC BY-SA 3.0 • SVG original non modifié.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Roulex 45 self-made from source above • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2011-08-06. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Can pedestrians or cyclists continue beyond a motor-traffic dead end in France?

French variants can indicate a continuation for pedestrians or for pedestrians and cyclists. Read the symbols and the actual route; a motor-traffic dead end does not necessarily end a walking or cycling journey.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French IISR part5, indications and services, September2025 consolidation — IISR5 Article71-1, C13a dead end, C13c pedestrian and C13d pedestrian/cycle continuation.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French road-sign order, Article 5-8, signs EB10 and EB20

Does a dead-end indication change speed or priority rules in France?

The no-through information itself does not assign junction priority or a numerical speed limit. Continue to obey the actual speed, access, parking and priority controls. If you need to turn around, use a suitable lawful place, check for pedestrians and cyclists, and do not obstruct the space needed for other vehicles to turn.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — 1967 order article 5 C13 variants; R411-25

1 France 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Advisory speed 9 Footpath 10 Bike path 11 Pedestrian warning 12 Tunnel 13 Bridge 14 Cycling street 15 Pedestrian zone 16 Speed bump 17 Toll road 18 Customs 19 One-way traffic 20 Quay 21 Slope 22 Bus lane 23 Bus stop 24 Dead end 25 Stop sign 26 Give way 27 Roundabout 28 Priority road 29 Road narrowing 30 Priority over oncoming traffic 31 Give way to oncoming traffic 32 Pedestrian crossing 33 Railway crossing 34 Mandatory direction 35 Turn prohibition 36 School area 37 Overtaking 38 Crossing animals 39 Slippery road 40 Rockfall 41 Aircraft 42 Curve 43 Chevron 44 Wrong-way driving 45 Roadworks 46 Crosswind 47 Height limit 48 Width limit 49 Length limit 50 Weight limit 51 Radar speed sign 52 Selective barriers 53 Low-emission zone 54 Priority at the next junction 55 Traffic lights 56 Traffic lights warning 57 Pedestrian lights 58 Road markings 59 Junction layout 60 Bike box 61 Speed feedback 62 Driving licence 63 Location marker 64 Road number 65 Countdown markers 66 Public toilet 67 Rest area 68 Traffic mirror 69 Emergency telephone 70 International border 71 Cycling route 72 End of restriction 73 Parking 74 No parking 75 No stopping 76 Parallel parking 77 Alternate-side parking 78 Parking meter 79 Parking disc 80 Disabled parking 81 Traffic management 82 Merging 83 Reversing 84 U-turn 85 Carpool 86 Traffic jam 87 Uncontrolled crossroad 88 Road surface 89 Ring road 90 Exit 91 Information point 92 Horse riding 93 Provisional licence 94 Hazardous cargo 95 Emergency exit 96 Runaway truck ramp 97 Radio service 98 Oversize load 99 Lane 100 Tyre inflation station ...