May 18, 1999 <BR>In France, the roads A, N, D, E etc. -which lettered roads are TOLL ROADS? Can you rate from superhighway to slow, scenic road to goat path? MERCI!!

Confusing, aren't they? A roads are toll roads. Every toll road in France has an A (autoroute) number AND an E (European) number. For instance, the toll road between Toulouse and Carcassonne is A61 E80. N is a national (nontoll) highway. A national highway may also be a European highway, with an E number (N117 E80 is another section of European highway 80.) D is a departmental road. Although a departement is roughly equivalent to an American county, D roads are about the same quality as state roads in the US. D or N roads marked in red on Michelin maps are better than those marked in yellow, and better still than those left white. If there is a green line in addition, that stretch of road is particularly scenic. C is a commune road, a commune being something like a township. These are not usually very good roads. V (village) roads are worse. And as long as we're on the subject, GR (grandes randoneees) are long distance hiking trails, like the pilgrim trail to Santiago de Campostella. GRs are marked with red and white paint blazes. Local horse trails are often marked with orange blazes; local hiking trails with yellow; and goat trails-- nope, I'm afraid you've got me on that one!

Debbie, as a driver licensed in France let me tell you that Martha's information is completely accurate as well as marvelously concise. <BR>As she gave you the facts, I can only add commentary. First,French toll roads, the "autoroutes" are, by and large, newer and better than their American equivalents. The speed limit, last I knew, is 110 km/hr. Speeding is the norm and proper highway etiquette is to be rigorously observed. To wit:: <BR>1. Stay in the right lane except to pass. (Yeah, we say that in the US, too, but you will be the odd-man-out in France if you lack this bit of politeness.) <BR>2. When you start to pass, signal left to go around, BUT keep the left signal ON until you have passed and are back in the right lane. <BR>3. If you dwell in the left lane you will soon note wildly flashing headlights coming up from behind in a big hurry. That is a pissed off Frenchman who wants you out of his way. <BR>General driving do's and don'ts off the autoroute. <BR> 1. "Priorite a droite" means right-of-way belongs to the vehicle entering from the right. If you can't see that she has a stop sign or a painted white line on the road indicating where she should draw to a stop, and there is no traffic light, be prepared to yield. <BR>2. "Giratoires." Did you see "European Vacation" with Chevy Chase where he got stuck in the round-about at the Arc de Triomphe, well there are many round-abouts or giratoires in France, but they are usually 2 lanes about the circle. Let's say there is a giratoire at what would otherwise be a crossroad. If you are entering to simply turn right, stay right in the outer ring. Same if your goal is to go straight through. If you are wanting to take the road to the left, enter the giratoire and pass immediately to the inner ring. When you are nearing your turn-off move into the outer ring then turn right. <BR>You are now prepared for France. Bon chance. It's fun. <BR>

One other bit of information. As Martha inplies, Michelin maps are a valuable asset in France. They are very clear, very informative, and their scale is much more useful than any typical US map (except, of course, Michelin's US maps). It's worth it to go down to Barnes & Noble and buy the maps you need. Or check out Michelin.com. There may be an ordering service there; I'm not sure. <BR>

Thank you all for commenting! Yes, Martha, you gave VERY CONSISE information which is exactly what I was looking for. MERCI!!!! Ann, I have driven in Italy many times and it is good to know, thanks to you, the French are equally impatient. I am used to going 110+ km. and still the luxury 6- cylinders come RIGHT up to my tail and flash the brights while beeping the horn relentlessly . . .until I move. Getting over immediately is not even fast enought for them! I'm laughing while as I write this. The first time this happened my heart stopped beating and I jumped up! You never see this in the US. Joel, great advise about Michelin maps which we bought last Dec. Also had Michelin (US headqtr. in Carolina) fax me their product list and it seems the three maps we have will be perfect. They really are superior maps. <BR> <BR>Grazie a tutti!! That's my second language, Italian, which means, THANKS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!! Ciao- Debbie

In fact, the speed limit on the autoroutes (when it is not raining)is 130kmph - they will still be coming up fast behind you though! <BR>greg