Editing Road hierarchy (section)

=== France ===

In France, roads are classified according to an administrative hierarchy that reflects the authority responsible for their management. Characteristics such as speed or crossings may vary independently of this classification.

====Autoroutes====
Along with the rest of Europe, France has motorways or {{lang|fr|[[Autoroutes of France|autoroutes]]}} similar to the British network.  Unlike in the UK, the network is mostly accessible on payment of a toll, which is usually distance-dependent; there are generally more toll motorways in the south of France.  However, sections passing through or close to major towns and cities are usually free.  As in the UK, destinations reached via a motorway are shown with white text on a blue background.  Junctions are usually numbered, the numbers being shown on signs in a small oval in the corner of the sign.

===={{lang|fr|Routes nationales|italic=no}}====
Before the construction of {{lang|fr|autoroutes}}, {{lang|fr|[[Route Nationale (France)|routes nationales]]}} were the highest classification of road.  They are denoted by a route number beginning "N", or occasionally "RN". Going back to a Napoleonic road classification system, these are main roads comparable with British primary routes.  They are maintained directly by the state and are usually the shortest route between major centres. Many N-class roads are dual carriageway for some or all of their length, with a few also being given the designation of semi-motorway, where junctions are grade-separated and there is a central reservation with crash barrier.  The hard shoulder is often narrower than on full motorways and there are fewer emergency telephones.

===={{lang|fr|Routes départementales|italic=no}}====
France (including overseas territory) is split into 100 [[Departments of France|departments]], the second-highest tier of local government, similar to a UK county or US state.  The departments have responsibility for all roads beginning with a letter "D", or occasionally "RD".  These roads vary in quality, from newly built local dual carriageways and downgraded {{lang|fr|routes nationales}} to winding roads that are barely wide enough for traffic to pass.  Generally, they are quieter than the {{lang|fr|routes nationales}}, and of a reasonable standard.

===={{lang|fr|Routes communales|italic=no}}====
In general, each settlement in France is a [[Commune (France)|commune]] – akin to a British [[civil parish]].  This most local level of government is responsible for maintaining all the local roads, which are numbered with a letter "C" prefix.  Except in major towns and cities, where their numbers are usually not marked on signs, they are usually single-track and may be in a state of poor repair due to the large number of roads covered by populations as small as 10.