Toll roads & toll stickers in France: what you really need to know before you go

You've booked your holiday house in de Provence, your bags are packed, and you've already put together your playlist for the road. But then the inevitable question arises: what about toll roads in France? Do you need a vignette? And how much do you actually pay? Don't worry, this blog tells you everything you need to know before crossing the French border.

Toll roads in France: how do they work?

France has one of the largest motorway networks in Europe, and many of these are toll roads, also known as autoroutes à péage. You can recognize them by the blue signs with an “A” (such as the A7 or A9) and the word péage.

When you enter the toll road, you take a ticket at a barrier. When you leave the highway, you pay based on the distance you have traveled. It's that simple.

What you pay depends on:

•    The route you are traveling
•    The type of vehicle (car, caravan, camper, etc.)
•    The route (some sections are more expensive than others)

Example: a trip from Luxembourg to Avignon via the A6 and A7 can easily cost you around 60 euros in tolls. One way. But then you also get to drive smoothly on well-maintained roads.

How do you pay in France?

There are several ways to pay:

• Cash (coins or bills. Please note: some gates no longer accept cash)
• Credit card (most common and fastest)
• Toll badge (Télépéage): this allows you to drive through without stopping. You place the badge behind your windshield, and the toll is automatically deducted.

For those who drive to France several times a year or travel during busy weekends, a toll badge is highly recommended. It also allows you to use the separate “T” lanes, which often saves a lot of waiting time.

Do  you need a vignette in France?

Good news: France does not use a road vignette like Austria or Switzerland. You only pay for the sections of motorway you actually use. What is important, however, is that in some French cities you need an environmental vignette (Crit'Air). For example, in Paris, Lyon, or Grenoble. This vignette is linked to your vehicle's emissions and must be ordered in advance. But don't worry: if you rent a vacation home in rural areas, such as Mazan, Richerenches of de Dordogne, you will rarely have to deal with environmental zones.

Avoiding tolls? Is that possible?

Yes, it is. You can follow the routes nationales or D-roads, which are free of charge. These are often quieter, take you past picturesque villages, and sometimes offer beautiful views. But to be honest, it does take a little longer. If you want to drive from the Netherlands to the south of France in one day, there's almost no way to avoid the toll roads.

Tip: use a route planner in advance that shows you toll-free routes. This allows you to choose whether you prioritize speed or charm.

New generation: tolls without barriers 

France has recently started experimenting with ‘free flow’ toll roads: no tickets, no barriers, but license plate registration via cameras. You pay in advance online, or afterwards via an app or payment terminal.

This technology is already being used on parts of the A79 and will be rolled out further in the future. Convenient, but make sure your payment is not ‘forgotten’. Otherwise, you will be fined.

How much does it really cost?

That depends on your route. As a rule of thumb, a trip from the Netherlands to the south of France costs around €50 to €100 in tolls (one way). The return trip is the same, of course. Add your fuel costs to that, and you'll know roughly how much your car trip will cost. Additional costs? Some bridges and tunnels (such as the Pont de Normandie or the Fréjus tunnel) have separate rates.

Golden tips for on the road

1. Bring a toll badge if you are traveling during peak season. In July and August, waiting times at toll gates can be quite long.
2. Always keep your toll tickets until after payment. If you lose them, you may have to pay the maximum rate for the entire journey.
3. Avoid black Saturdays (black Saturday = ‘samedi noir’). Especially in July and August, popular routes such as the A7 (Route du Soleil) can become very congested.
4. Plan your stops in advance. Many rest areas on the toll roads are surprisingly green and child-friendly.

Knowledgeable travel = relaxed arrival

Renting a Holiday house in France means freedom. But good preparation ensures that you arrive at your destination without stress. By knowing in advance how toll roads work, which payment methods are convenient, and what to look out for, you can start your vacation exactly as it should begin: relaxed.

Bon voyage!