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It is forbidden to stay on the motorway itself, as well as on some parts of national roads ("Voie express"), so you have to stick to entrances/gas stations.
Péages are also considered part of the motorway, and technically one is not allowed to sollicit rides there, but in reality this is not really enforced. Since 2004, [[User:Daniel|Daniel]], was only told once to get off the tollbooth and ask for a ride on the parking nearby (what was difficult because there was no services except toilets). So the risk is relatively low. '''Beware''' that this is enforced at the péage to cross the Viaduc de Millau at A75 & D911.
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== Autoroutes & Péages ==
[[Image:peage.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A typical big péage in France]]
'''Autoroute''' means "motorway" in French. Most of them are toll roads, and the fastest way to hitch across he country. A '''péage''' is a toll booth. There are two types of '''péages''': Big ones, where all the traffic has to stop to pay or get a ticket (called also "Barrière Barrières de Péage", i.e. "Toll Barrier"). These are excellent spots to get a long-distance ride, usually located near big cities on the autoroute. Another type is a side barrier, situated on all exits in the toll part of the motorway. On this kind of péages the traffic is much smaller and so waiting times may be longer, but in fact waits can be longer at congested péages due to the attitude of drivers. To reach the first péage, you may need to walk beside the highway; consult a map to see if it the distance is realistic. It is located near a relatively big town or illegal to be along the highway, as well as on the crossing with a some parts of national road it's pretty okroads ("voie express"). If police see you, they will drive you to somewhere safe and may fine you 90€. At this type Péages are considered part of péagesthe motorway, and you do not legally have the road usually splits in two on-ramps going right to solicit rides there. You may be asked to wait in the parking area which is after each directionpéage. In practice, so this is rarely enforced (maybe 5% of the time). Most employees simply want to make sure you might need 're not endangering yourself or others. Having a sign with your directiondestination (or next city) is recommended and will distinguish you as a serious hitchhiker, and not a vagrant.
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You can get free maps in the péage offices - these also indicate where you can find "all-stop-péages". The fastest way to travel is from one of these to the next. Here are some information how to get a lift from péages:
[[Image:Perpignan bridgeoveronramp.jpg|thumb|right|250px|On ramp bridge near [[Perpignan]]]]
Also, you can always hitch from one gas station to another, either asking at the exit from the shop, or at the entrance ramp. The staff usually don't care about hitchhikers.
== Cities ==
