Motorways bear the prefix ‘A' and national roads ‘N'. Minor roads are classed as ‘D' (départementales) roads. Traffic drives on the right and drivers must give way to the right, unless the route is marked with Passage Protégé signs (a broad arrow, a yellow diamond or an ‘X' on a triangular background) or the driver is at a roundabout indicating vous n'avez pas la priorité (‘you do not have the right of way'). Speed limits are 130kph (80mph) on motorways; 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways separated by a central reservation; 90kph (56mph) outside built-up areas and 50kph (30mph) in built-up areas. Drivers who have held a driving licence for less than two years have different speed restrictions to those who have been driving for longer - a maximum speed limit of 110kph (68mph) is enforced.

The minimum age for driving is 18 years. Seat belts must be worn by all front- and rear-seat passengers. Children under 10 years old may not travel in the front seat. A national driving licence, the car's registration document and a red warning triangle must be carried at all times, or the driver is liable for a fine.

EU nationals taking their own cars to France are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card, without which insurance cover is limited to the legal minimum. The Green Card tops this up to the level of cover provided by the car owner's domestic policy. All headlamp beams must be adjusted for right-side driving by use of beam deflectors or by tilting the headlamp bulb-holder. The French police fine motorists on the spot for driving offences such as speeding. Random breath tests for drinking and driving are common; the maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.05%.

Further details on driving in France are available from French Government Tourist Offices. The Automobile Club de France (tel: (01) 4312 4312; www.automobileclub.org) can provide information and might offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown services:  On motorways: 112.
Auto Charonne Dépannage (tel: (01) 4024 0329; www.autocharonnedepannage.com).

Routes to the city: The Anglo-French Eurotunnel shuttle services allow drivers and passengers of cars and coaches to cross the Channel Tunnel (journey time - approximately 35 minutes) from Kent in Southern England to Nord-Pas-de-Calais in Northern France. The tunnel is linked to the UK and French motorway networks. Tickets are available for purchase at check-in on the day of travel or pre-booked with Eurotunnel (tel: 08705 353 535 in the UK; 0810 630 0304 in France; www.eurotunnel.com). Alternatively, there are numerous daily sea crossings to France (see Getting There By Water).

From Boulogne (near Calais), the A16 leads directly into Paris. The E19 motorway leads from Brussels into Paris (via the A2 and A1). Lille is linked directly to Paris via the A1. Paris is surrounded by the often congested Périphérique (ring road); its portes (intersections) are used to access the nearest point of entry to the desired destination. The N10 leads directly from Bordeaux to Paris, while from Marseille, drivers should take the A7 to Lyon, after which the A6 leads north to Paris.

Approximate driving times to Paris: From Lille - 2 hours 30 minutes; Brussels - 3 hours 30 minutes; London - 5 hours (excluding the Channel crossing); Bordeaux - 6 hours; Marseille - 7 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services: The majority of international coaches arrive and depart from the main coach station, Gare Routière Internationale Paris-Gallieni, at Bagnolet, 20th (tel: 0892 899 091). Reservations can be made with Eurolines (tel: (0892) 899 091; www.eurolines.fr), with links to Paris from Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, London, Rome and many other European destinations.