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Railway crossingFrance

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

33. Railway crossing

A railway crossing, also called a level crossing or railroad crossing, is a place where a road or path crosses railway tracks at the same level. It may be protected by barriers, warning lights, bells, traffic signs or a combination of these measures.

Road users must approach carefully and never enter when a train is approaching, warning signals are active or the exit is blocked. They should cross promptly and must never stop, wait or become trapped on the tracks.

Railway crossing on the Corbeil-Essonnes–Montereau line between Essonnes-Robinson and Villabé. (Essonne, France)
Wikimedia.org • Poudou99 • CC BY-SA
When must drivers stop at a railway level crossing in France?

Stop for red warning lights and obey the crossing guard’s instructions. Do not enter while barriers are closed, closing or opening. Give trains priority and enter only when you can clear the crossing completely.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • France, Road Code article R422-3, version effective from 12 June 2024; 🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • France, Road Code article R412-30, steady and flashing red lights

Must I stop at every unguarded railway crossing in France?

Not solely because barriers are absent. Where there are no barriers, half-barriers or warning lights, first make sure no train is approaching. Obey any STOP sign and crossing guard, and enter only when you can clear the tracks.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • France, Road Code article R422-3, version effective from 12 June 2024

Warning for a railway crossing with barriers. Warning for a railway crossing with barriers.

English • Traffic sign A7 • Level crossing with manually operated barriers or automatic half-barriers when trains pass.

Français • Panneau A7 • Passage à niveau muni de barrières à fonctionnement manuel ou demi-barrières automatiques lors du passage des trains.

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 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2013-07-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing without barriers. Warning for a railway crossing without barriers.

English • Traffic sign A8 • Level crossing without barriers or half-barriers.

Français • Panneau A8 • Passage à niveau sans barrière ni demi-barrière.

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 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2013-07-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing with one track. Warning for a railway crossing with one track.

English • Traffic sign G1bis • Sign at a single-track level crossing with automatic light and sound signals but no barriers or half-barriers.

Français • Signal G1bis • Signalisation de position des passages à niveau à une voie munis d'une signalisation automatique lumineuse et sonore sans barrière ni demi-barrière.

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 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Source revision 2014-02-21. Wikimedia original unmodified.

What if road traffic is queued beyond a railway crossing in France?

Wait before the tracks until there is room to take your entire vehicle off the crossing. Do not follow another vehicle onto the tracks without checking the exit. Keep the tracks clear even if no train is visible.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • France, Road Code article R422-3, version effective from 12 June 2024

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 ...