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ZoneFrance

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

5. Zone

A traffic zone is an area in which a traffic rule applies throughout all included roads or road sections. The rule normally begins at a zone-entry sign and remains applicable until the corresponding end-of-zone sign is passed.

Zones may regulate speed, parking, access, vehicle categories, emissions or other traffic behaviour. The signs used, the roads covered and the effect of intersections or local exceptions depend on local traffic law.

Start of a 30 km/h zone near Moulins railway station. (Moulins, France)
Wikimedia.org • Tabl-trai • CC BY-SA
How do people refer to traffic zones in France?

A French zone 30 is a road or group of roads with a maximum speed of 30 km/h. A pedestrian zone and a zone with a 20 km/h limit are separate categories; their rules cannot be inferred from the word zone alone.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R110-2, R411-25, R417-10–11

Where does a zone rule apply in France?

A zone 30 covers the signed road or set of roads between its entrance and exit boundaries. Continue observing the 30 km/h maximum on included streets after junctions, as well as any other applicable signs.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R110-2, R411-25, R417-10–11

Does a French speed zone automatically give permission to park anywhere?

No. A zone 30 regulates speed and has its own traffic arrangements, but does not cancel parking prohibitions. Check parking signs and markings at the place where you intend to stop.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R110-2, R411-25, R417-10–11

How do you know when a traffic zone ends in France?

The zone’s entrances and exits are signposted. Follow the appropriate exit sign and any rule for the area or road beyond it, rather than assuming that a junction or a change in building density ends the zone.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R110-2, R411-25, R417-10–11

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 ...