Route Nationale

A route nationale, or simply nationale, is a trunk road in France. Trunk roads in France are important roads which cross broad portions of the French territory, as opposed to secondary or communal roads who only serve local areas.

Their use is free, except when crossing certain structures subjected to toll. They are open to all vehicles, except on certain sections having the status of motorway (autoroute).

France currently has 30,500 km of nationales and publicly owned motorways. By comparison, routes départementales cover a total distance of 365,000 km. The main trunk road network reflects the centralising tradition of France: the majority of them leave the gates of Paris. Indeed, trunk roads begin on the parvis of Notre-Dame of Paris at Kilometre Zero. To ensure an effective road network, new roads not serving Paris were created.