SlopeFrance

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.


21. Slope

A slope is a section of road that rises or descends noticeably. A steep slope can affect vehicle speed, braking distance, traction, visibility and the ability of heavy or low-powered vehicles to maintain a steady speed.

Warning signs may indicate a steep ascent or dangerous descent and may show the gradient as a percentage. Drivers should adjust their speed early, select a suitable gear and remain prepared for slow vehicles, bends and changing road conditions.

Slope
Steep gradient of 14% on road D906B towards Bost. (France)
Wikimedia.org • Tabl-trai • CC BY-SA
What does a steep-slope warning mean in France?

French warnings distinguish a dangerous descent from a steep ascent. The gradient is a hazard description; it does not replace a separate speed restriction or the duty to adapt speed to the conditions.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Cerema current IISR part 2 consolidation — IISR2 Article40-2 descent A16, ascent A14 with M9j2; warning gradient versus a separate restriction.

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

Warning for a steep descent. Warning for a steep descent.

English • Traffic sign A16 • Dangerous descent.

Français • Panneau A16 • Descente dangereuse.

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.

How should I approach a steep descent in France?

Reduce speed before the descent and select a suitable gear to help control the vehicle. Keep enough following distance and avoid building up speed that requires continuous heavy braking. A warning gives no fixed safe descent speed: the gradient, surface, visibility, load and vehicle can require a speed well below the legal maximum.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R413-17, R414-1–4, R414-11; 1967 order article 3

What should I check when meeting or overtaking on a slope in France?

On a mountain road or a steep road where meeting is difficult, the descending vehicle must stop first in time. If reversing is necessary, the Road Code also considers combinations, vehicle weight and buses; between equal classes, the downhill vehicle normally reverses unless the uphill vehicle can clearly do so more easily.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R413-17, R414-1–4, R414-11; 1967 order article 3

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 ...