Bonjour, travelers! As we put the finishing touches on our upcoming Provencal Adventure, we want to make sure you feel completely confident and relaxed the moment you turn the key in your rental car... Driving through the sun-drenched landscapes of The South of France is an absolute dream... the lavender fields, the towering plane trees, and the winding hillside roads are pure magic!
But as you navigate between our favorite villages, you are going to encounter a staple of French road engineering. Specifically, you’re going to see roundabouts (traffic circles). A lot of them!
In fact, France has more roundabouts than any other country in the world! For our guests coming from parts of the US where traffic circles are rare, they can feel a little intimidating at first... Don't worry ~ once you know the rhythm, they are incredibly efficient, safe, and actually quite fun...
Here is everything you need to know to tackle the French rond-point like a local.
Rule #1: Look for the Lines (Who Has the Right of Way?)
Back in the old days, French traffic circles used a confusing rule where cars entering the circle had priority. Today, on 99% of the roundabouts we will encounter in Provence, it is exactly the opposite: traffic inside the circle has the absolute right of way.
As you approach: Look at the asphalt at the entrance of the roundabout. You will see a dashed white line painted across the lane, usually accompanied by a triangular yield sign that says "Cédez le passage" (Yield/Give Way).
What to do: Slow down, look to your left, and yield to any traffic already in the circle. If it’s clear, you don't even need to come to a complete stop—just roll right on in!
Rule #2: Master the Turn Signals (Les Clignotants)
The secret to a stress-free roundabout is communication. Because things move quickly, French drivers rely heavily on turn signals.
Think of the roundabout as a clock face, where you are entering at 6 o'clock:
If you are taking the very first exit (3 o'clock, turning right): Put your right blinker on before you even enter the circle, and keep it on until you exit.
If you are going straight through (the 12 o'clock exit): Do not use a blinker when entering. Drive past the first exit, and the moment you pass it, flip your right blinker on to show everyone you are leaving at the next turn.
If you are turning left (the 9 o'clock exit or further): Put your left blinker on before entering. This tells everyone behind and ahead of you, "I'm staying in the circle for a while!" Keep it blinking as you pass the early exits. Then, just as you pass the exit before the one you want, switch to your right blinker to signal your departure.
Rule #3: Which Lane Should You Pick?
Many of the roundabouts in the countryside are simple, single-lane circles... But around larger towns like Avignon or Aix-en-Provence, you’ll see two-lane roundabouts.
The Golden Rule: When in doubt, stay in the right-hand (outer) lane.
You can legally use the outer lane for any exit you need. The inner (left) lane is technically reserved for drivers bypassing the first few exits to turn left, but sticking to the right lane keeps things simple and ensures you never get "trapped" on the inside when your exit pops up.
💡 The Best Part About a Roundabout?
If you miss your exit, there are no penalties! Unlike missing a turn on a highway, you don't have to drive miles out of your way. If you aren't sure which exit matches our itinerary, simply stay in the circle and go around a second (or third!) time until you spot the right sign. It’s the ultimate driving safety net.
We promise that after your first day of driving through the stunning Provencal countryside, handling these circles will become second nature. Pack your sunglasses, get your favorite driving playlist ready, and we will see you in Provence! (remember; that while you are with us in Provence, you will have a two-way radio with you in the car, and we will be talking to you, and giving you directions about which exit to take... but again, we just want to give you fare warning, in case your not familiar with Roundabouts!
Safe travels / Bon voyage!
The Story Behind Tracy Chapman’s "Fast Car"
Written in 1986 while Tracy Chapman was a 21-year-old college student, "Fast Car" was born from her childhood in a working-class neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio. Raised by a single mother, Chapman watched families around her get trapped in cycles of low-wage work and systemic gridlock... The song’s characters were composites of real people she knew; dynamic, hopeful individuals just waiting for a break, using the idea of a "fast car" as a powerful, immediate symbol of absolute freedom and escape.
When she released her acoustic debut in 1988, folk music was entirely out of fashion in an era dominated by hair metal and synth-pop. The song seemed destined for cult status until a literal twist of fate on June 11, 1988, at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium.
Chapman had already played a minor afternoon set and was backstage when superstar Stevie Wonder suffered a technical disaster right before his prime-time performance. With a massive gap in a live global broadcast reaching millions, panicked producers grabbed Chapman and pointed her toward the stage. Armed with nothing but her acoustic guitar, she delivered a mesmerizing, raw performance of "Fast Car." By Monday morning, record stores worldwide were overwhelmed with demands for the album, launching her into instant global stardom.
The song made history all over again recently. Country star Luke Combs, who grew up listening to the track on a cassette tape in his dad's truck, released a deeply respectful 2023 cover. His version topped the charts, earning Chapman the honor of becoming the first Black woman to win Song of the Year at the Country Music Awards. The ultimate climax arrived at the Grammy Awards, where a notoriously private Chapman stepped out of retirement to perform the track as a breathtaking duet with Combs... proving that some songs, much like the perfect road trip in Provence, possess a timeless magic that connects us all across generations and genres...
