-
What do the different number plate colours of cars mean in France?
Standard passenger vehicles must be white, but do you know what the other colours signify?
-
Small town in Normandy attracts record visits on Wikipedia
A new ranking puts this famous coastal town in first place, followed by a medieval hilltop favourite, and three mountain resorts
-
French wine production faces sharp decline
Adverse weather conditions across France's key vineyards forecast a 22% drop in output for 2024
Pompiers will not need to pay péage
When responding to emergencies off the motorway, pompiers have in the past had to pay tolls
EMERGENCY service vehicles are to be given free passage on French motorways when travelling to emergencies after MPs agreed the measure as part of the 2018 budget.
The vote came as forest fires were being fought on many parts of the Mediterranean and was promoted by Alpes-Maritimes MP Eric Ciotti. He said it was “amoral” that pompiers had to pay tolls when heading to save lives.
Previously, pompiers and others were only given free autoroute access if attending an incident on the motorway itself.
The government will now negotiate the free travel with autoroute companies – which are thought to make more than 20% profit on the roads, totalling about €1.5billion a year.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France