id
int64
1
103
image_url
stringlengths
113
185
text_content
stringlengths
24
1.23k
paragraph_count
int64
1
13
scraped_at
timestamp[ns]date
2025-07-25 16:28:42
2025-07-25 16:56:02
google_maps_url
stringlengths
37
405
7
https://images.squarespa…_street_sign.png
Most Finnish street names end in “tie” or “katu.” These are the Finnish words for road and street. Street signs most commonly have a white background with black text. NOTE: You may find roads ending in “polku” and “kuja”.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/xUujXMoUBt1aT5739
8
https://images.squarespa…n_background.png
Finnish road signs have ayellow background. NOTE: Signs in Sweden and Iceland also have yellow backgrounds. Norway, however, has signs with a white background.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/FUuJayL6xhoBSB9o9
9
https://images.squarespa…ellow-stroke.png
On traffic signs that have a red border, you will find a thinyellow strokeon the edge of the sign. NOTE: You will not see this in any other Nordic country.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/9xnRRWDVJycFNRjr7
10
https://images.squarespa…strian+Signs.png
Finnish pedestrian signs have5 stripes. NOTE: Pedestrian signs in Sweden and Norwayusuallyhave 4 stripes. Inrare cases, you can find 5 stripes in Norway.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/wMS7W2CWGyAi4DJt9
11
https://images.squarespa…tled_design4.png
Finnishdirectional signsconsist of a solid blue background, white text, and a white border with guiding arrows.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/NxY5j5YWV4C1g1KTA
12
https://images.squarespa…tled_design2.png
Finnish chevrons areblack with yellow arrows. NOTE: Norway and Iceland have similarly coloured chevrons. Sweden, on the other hand, has unique blue and yellow chevrons.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/foWQPJYKk864Xs758
13
https://images.squarespa…inland+poles.png
Finland primarily useswooden utility poles. Most of them tend to have a simple design, but they can have a variety of poletops. Poles often have a street light attached to them. NOTE: In Northern Europe, wooden poles are also common in Sweden, Norway, and Estonia.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/gUNSiqA1rAeLo2yB7
14
https://images.squarespa…te+signposts.png
Traffic signposts often haveblue and whitestriped markings. NOTE: This pattern can also be found in Sweden. While the same colour scheme is also common inEstonia, the markings typically have a wider shape and attach to the signpost in a looser way.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://www.google.com/maps/@58.3430383,26.7407475,3a,22.2y,264.88h,67.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sP587UApP9JnjyawxVML4YA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
15
https://images.squarespa…2022-12-19_4.png
Most of Finland is covered by denseboreal forests. Pine trees are common, as well as birches, which are easily recognizable by their white trunks.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/HrGxgDGqVW58DMSCA
16
https://images.squarespa…/Autumn+vibe.png
A lot ofGeneration 3coverage was taken inautumn, meaning that trees in this coverage often have distinct fall colours. NOTE: This is significantly less common in Generation 3 coverage in the other Nordics. This means that when you are faced with a tough decision between countries, a fall vibe can be a good clue for Finland. Take note that this season meta is not present in Generation 2 and Generation 4 coverage.
3
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/AgVdpZCfyHKppUMg9
17
https://images.squarespa…022-12-19_18.png
Lakesare so common in Finland, that the country is also sometimes known as the Land of a Thousand Lakes. Usually, you do not have to drive long to find a body of water.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/jvUn93HM7BErSE2y5
18
https://images.squarespa…architecture.png
Finnish architectureis mostly modern and utilitarian. Downtown areas tend to be very modern, with lots of apartment buildings and use of concrete. Suburbs mostly consist of freestanding single family homes. Many houses have wooden cladding. Like Sweden and Norway, some wooden buildings, especially in the countryside, are painted in a distinctivedark red colour.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/f2iUJ3aRX76XPjY18
19
https://images.squarespa…s+stop+signs.png
Finland has two styles ofbus stop signs, a blue and white one, and a yellow and black one. NOTE: This can be used to tell Finland apart from Sweden, which has many different bus stop signs (example), most of which have the names of the stops on them.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/h4BWBzQgVu4mtNgr6
20
https://images.squarespa…supermarkets.png
K-MarketandS-Marketare two Finnish supermarket chains with recognizable logos. Both chains operate only in Finland. K-Market is sometimes known as K-Supermarket or K-Citymarket.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/ixfnFXtSnpazB84D9
21
https://images.squarespa…2/fi_shitcam.png
Google used a weird, low-quality camera in Finland. This camera is known as theofficial Ari(or “Shitcam”). It has a wide circular car blur, and can be distinguished from Generation 2 by its lack of a sky halo and often somewhat brownish colours. A good map will not usually include this coverage, but it is good to be aware of its existence, in order to not be caught off-guard by it. NOTE: Within Europe, Finland is the only country that has coverage with this camera. This camera should not be confused with unofficial coverage, which is also common in Finland.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/C79tB1y7di4EwswMA
22
https://images.squarespa…ope+smallcam.png
Finland also has Generation 4 “smallcam” coverage, which is mounted lower than regular Generation 4 and has a relatively big circular blur with a small protrusion at the front. The blur can also be fully transparent, making it harder to spot. NOTE: All of Northern Europe also has smallcam.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
null
23
https://images.squarespa…d-numbering3.png
Finnish regional roads have 3- or 4-digit road numbers. Thefirst digitof those road numbers isregion-specific. These regions are distributed in a rough south-to-north order, starting from 1 in the south to 9 in the north. These road numbers often appear on direction signs. Learning the regions can help with cutting down on scanning time for 5k’s, or give you a rough region to plonk in during quick no move games. NOTE: Major roads with 2-digit road numbers do not adhere to this geographic pattern.
3
2025-07-25T16:30:05
null
24
https://images.squarespa…nd+Snowpoles.png
Snow poles which have2 long reflectorscan be found on bigger roads in Lapland. NOTE: They can only be found in coverage from 2023 onward.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
null
25
https://images.squarespa…d+In+Finland.png
Finland has a lot of farmlands, but the majority of them are concentrated near the west and south coast.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/BEEuNji7qaSzBqqdA
26
https://images.squarespa…indmills+map.png
Wind turbinesare most commonly found along thewest coastof Finland, with some exceptions.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/2N2xzUK8WZKbbB398
27
https://images.squarespa…thern-trees2.png
Small, stunted treeswith spindly, thin trunks are common in northern Finland.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/YdPzQbnFSHvtZgjbA
28
https://images.squarespa…apland-snow2.png
Generation 3 snow coverageis only found in far northwestern Lapland. NOTE: Be careful: this tip is specifically about regular Generation 3 coverage. Generation 2, 4, and trekker snow coverage can be found elsewhere.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/RBSszK8K7L6RXPQQ6
29
https://images.squarespa…ilingualism2.png
TheSwedish languageis common in some coastal areas in the south and the west. In these areas, bilingual Swedish or Finnish texts are common. If you see Swedish language in a Finnish setting, do not guess inland.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/DCoTTKaR2wENNeoq6
30
https://images.squarespa…-Sami-signs2.png
TheSámi languagesare spoken in the far north of Finland. In this region, you can sometimes find bilingual signs with place names in both Finnish and Sámi. Unlike Finnish, its alphabet uses the letterc.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://www.google.com/maps/@68.6599337,27.5390514,3a,15y,332.83h,83.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBMhmb3GegbgXyDaXxCtwWQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
31
https://images.squarespa…ef5d/LT_Hint.png
This slightlytilted, long antennacan be found in southwestern Finland. NOTE: Do not mix it up with the straight long antenna.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/MFWgTCKYPixHKngD8
32
https://images.squarespa…Antenna_Hint.png
Generation 3 coverage withno antennaat all can be found in south-central Finland.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/C9roqrNKQbLhzdieA
33
https://images.squarespa…nds-location.png
Ålandis a group of islands off the southwestern coast. It is an autonomous, mostly self-governing region of Finland with its own flag. Though it has a special status, for country streaks purposes it is still counted as part of Finland. NOTE: Åland has no Generation 4 coverage.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
null
34
https://images.squarespa…nd_-_Swedish.png
Åland ismonolingually Swedish. If you see only Swedish, and no Finnish language, but you suspect that you are in Finland, consider the Åland Islands.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/nAGwj5ptJrEN9Rhy6
35
https://images.squarespa…land_-_Roads.png
Åland roads have two unique aspects that separate them from the rest of Finland: their pavement tends to have ared tint, and they havedashedoutside road lines that resemble those found in Sweden.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/nHHwSheQUXjhbeGv5
36
https://images.squarespa…licenceplate.png
Licence plates on Åland are white with blue text, making them appear almost completely white on Street View. They are noticeably quiteshortandlackthe European blue strip on the left side.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/JCr5Tehk9Ki2o7YS7
37
https://images.squarespa…destriansign.png
Some pedestrian signs on Åland havefour stripes, with the exact same design found in Sweden. Beware that many pedestrian signs will still be the typical Finnish design.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/j8TggdtA5NYWjN128
38
https://images.squarespa…us_Stop_hint.png
Bus stops on Åland include awhite platewith 4 numbers. Some also include this semicircle sign on top. NOTE: Some bus stops in Mariehamn do not follow this rule.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/11UkydGvy1u3TjjVA
39
https://images.squarespa…Finland_Map2.png
Road 970in the far north, on the border with Norway, is easily recognizable: it runs through a river valley with hills on both sides. The river is visible in many places, usually to the northwest. The birch trees around the road are small and stunted. NOTE: The Generation 3 coverage on this road was taken in the autumn, meaning that the vegetation looks dead and mostly devoid of leaves.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/vGprTfr2RjEWCwFH9
40
https://images.squarespa…isjarvi_area.png
Due to its proximity to the Scandinavian Mountains, the area near Kilpisjärvi features a uniquehillylandscape, withlow vegetation. NOTE:The Generation 2 coverageon this road was taken during Spring, so the vegetation looks dead.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/32NoQ1mRjDmu5CsUA
41
https://images.squarespa…inki-trekker.png
Downtown Helsinki has a lot of Generation 4sidewalk trekkercoverage. NOTE: This tip is specifically about Generation 4 trekker coverage. Generation 3 sidewalk trekkers can be found in many other Finnish cities.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/hrMjMyqreabFLVBy6
42
https://images.squarespa…ki_Tram_hint.png
Helsinki features these uniquegreen-and-yellowtrams. NOTE: Tampere is the only other Finnish city withtrams, but they areredinstead of green and yellow.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/zc9NtQZQvRpssehz8
43
https://images.squarespa…nki_Bus_Hint.png
The buses in and around Helsinki are typicallyblue-and-white, with a vertical split. Buses elsewhere can have the same colour scheme, so look for one of these logos on the bus.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/xknHdBhrPbkQApai9
44
https://images.squarespa…ere_Bus_Hint.png
The buses in and around Tampere are blue on the bottom and white on the top. The word ‘NYSSE’ is written on the sides of the buses.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/q2ayfibHqMgDJHW18
45
https://images.squarespa…u_buses_hint.png
Buses in Turku are uniquelyyellow, with a white rear.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/3FQH9tCWH5x2vDmb7
46
https://images.squarespa…jyvaskylabus.png
Buses in Jyväskylä are almost completelygreen.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/AyDKDhF1jwaSB3wp6
47
https://images.squarespa…2/fi_oulubus.png
Buses in Oulu have apinkfront.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/tRGuxWEUm6YsVCX49
48
https://images.squarespa…_Plates_meta.png
You can find these uniquemetallic plateson houses, lamp posts, and signposts in Tampere.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/gMFdwb7keaPbDF1R9
49
https://images.squarespa…fi_seinajoki.png
This style ofblue street signwith white text is unique to the cities of Seinäjoki andIsokyrösoutheast of Vaasa.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/SdmNDAwLzkXPyN6z6
50
https://images.squarespa…i_Streetsign.png
Lahti uses these street signs with ablack borderand all capital letters. NOTE: You can rarely find similar signs in other cities, but Lahti almost exclusively uses this design. Notably, Kuopio can use thesesigns, which use a thicker, more compact font.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/wjdzkPYj7ba2NRGN7
51
https://images.squarespa…a_Signs_Hint.png
The city of Kerava uses street signs with thisblue-and-yellowcoat of armsin the top-left corner.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/r41bjEPRoENaCq5F6
52
https://images.squarespa…va_sign_hint.png
The city of Järvenpää uses street signs with thisblue-and-greycoat of armsin the top-left corner. Theneighbourhoodname is also written above the street name. NOTE: If you see a street sign with a coat of arms not mentioned in this guide, you should be near Kerava or Lahti.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:05
https://goo.gl/maps/ZpZyq1sbkbyYdo5y7
1
https://images.squarespa…icenceplate2.png
Modern French plates are long and white, withblue strips on both sidesof the plate. The left strip will be more visible than the right strip. Some older French plates lack the right blue strip, with the rear plate beingyellow. These are very rare in newer coverage. NOTE: Italian plates also have two blue strips, which are equally visible. In addition, Italian front plates are considerably shorter.
3
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
2
https://images.squarespa…5/1_language.png
Frenchis a Romance language that is closely related to languages like Catalan, Spanish and Italian. It uses these diacritics and special letters: Accent aigu: é Accent grave: à, è, ù Accent circonflexe: â, ê, î, ô, û Trema: ë, ï, ü, ÿ Ligature: œ Cédille: ç with a small hook In addition, the -ux suffix is only found in French. NOTE: Other European countries with sizable francophone populations include Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco and Switzerland.
9
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
3
https://images.squarespa…08ad87/1_rue.png
The French word for street is “rue”.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
4
https://images.squarespa…495b/Bollard.png
The French bollard is extremely recognizable and appears very often. It is around white post with a pointed topand a reflector band going all the way around. The band can be grey or red. Some rare variations have afully red top. NOTE: A bollard that is commonly found inScotlandlooks similar, but has a blunt top instead of a pointed one.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/CyjNmHyh5zyKv7qR7
5
https://images.squarespa…dium+bollard.png
A different round white bollard, with two reflective indented bands, is unique to France. You can also find this design in other colours likegreenoryellow.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/HiePkuYXrAFBQbyu9
6
https://images.squarespa…Rare+bollard.png
Less common wedge-shaped bollards withwiderectangular white reflectorson both the front and back are also unique to France.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
7
https://images.squarespa…Ladder+poles.png
Concrete poles with step-like indents are common in France. They are referred to asladderorwaffle polesby the community. NOTE: They are also common in Spain.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/cYtpBcr8fPxdawT1A
8
https://images.squarespa…1_ruralpoles.png
Wooden poles and thinoctagonal metal polesare very common in rural areas and small towns.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/HQZMGmGXLKRX2s7y6
9
https://images.squarespa…ue+sticker+2.png
Smallbluerectangular markings onutility polesare unique to France. They are often referred to as ‘stickers’ by the community, but are actually small plates. You will find these plates on almost all wooden and metallic poles, but not as often on ladder poles.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/VMp1GTSbQcaBeTDs6
10
https://images.squarespa…ench+poletop.png
Diamond shaped pole tops with three wires are commonly called “French poletops” within the community. They are most frequently found on top of ladder poles. NOTE: Within Europe, “French poletops” in conjunction with ladder poles are also common in Spain.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/PZ9PsYF1UrCZpnp79
11
https://images.squarespa…p+insulators.png
Some variations of the French pole tops have the insulators on top. These variations may resemble an arrowhead and are unique to France.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/WdyXfGYQxHqsiQqC6
12
https://images.squarespa…ope+smallcam.png
France has Generation 4 “smallcam” coverage, which is mounted lower than regular Generation 4 and has a relatively big circular blur with a small protrusion at the front. The blur can also be fully transparent, making it harder to spot. NOTE: Most of Western Europe also has smallcam.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
13
https://images.squarespa…1_roadnumber.png
Smallyellow signsdisplaying the road number, which typically starts with a “D”, are unique to France. They are commonly placed on top of directional signs or town entry signs.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
14
https://images.squarespa…tional+signs.jpg
French directional signs are usually white with a black outline slightly offset from the edge. They have an arrow-like shape, with the black border getting thicker at the point. Highway directions have either ablue or green background. Smaller places and points of interest are frequently written in anitalicfont.
3
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/8jKUAjSqdf9AJcLM9
15
https://images.squarespa…own+entrance.png
Town entrance signs in France have a red border with a thin white outline.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/YWkLYRWa3pcMtu789
16
https://images.squarespa…Signs+border.png
French road signs have a red border with a thin white outline. You will often find white rectangular signs with black text below traffic signs. NOTE: Road signs in Spain have athick red borderthat goes all the way to the edge.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/pnQwdiMHtJpuUDaG9
17
https://images.squarespa…lat+signpost.png
Many traffic signs in France have flat rectangular signposts. Signposts, along with signbacks, can be dyed with unorthodox colours, more so than in other countries. Some of those are regional, which you can learn more about in the regionguessing section. NOTE: The only other European countries with flat signposts are Portugal, Spain, and Andorra.
3
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/d9muYRu2aLkPH5Kv7
18
https://images.squarespa…cd/1_lowsign.png
Traffic signs with particularlyshort signpostsare very common in France.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
19
https://images.squarespa…587/Chevrons.png
France uses chevrons with white arrows on a blue background. They can have a wide amount of arrows, ranging from one to five. NOTE: The only other European country with this colour scheme is Spain, where you will only find chevrons with two or four arrows.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
20
https://images.squarespa…6/Pedestrian.png
Pedestrian crossing signs in France have five stripes and a disconnected head on the person. They have the usual white border of French traffic signs. Less commonly, you can find a design withtwo dashed linesinstead of stripes.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/iD7GdGUA7Ew3h8oa7
21
https://images.squarespa…6/1_kmmarker.png
Kilometre markers in France most commonly have a yellow or red semicircle on top of a white rectangle. They can be found in the form of a waystone or as a flat sign and can be eitherparallelorperpendicularto the road. Major highways can havesquare markerswith a red top.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/8KpoMhXGetkA7qeR9
22
https://images.squarespa…Lines+dashes.png
Typical French roads have long spaced out dashes on the outside.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/GtpsmS7Ao4h9NuJF6
23
https://images.squarespa…iddle+Z+line.png
These middle road lines, where each dash consists of twooffset blocks, are unique to France. They are not extremely common, but when you see them, you can safely guess France.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/zzcBKhejqtdVreGG7
24
https://images.squarespa…/Long+dashes.png
Middle lines withdashes that are longer than usualcan be a good clue for France. NOTE: Unusually long dashes are also common in the UK.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/89ntZMYdGQCgAQkD9
25
https://images.squarespa…/1_roadarrow.png
These arrows on the road signalling the end of a passing zone are only found in a couple of European countries, including France. In France, the middle dashes will be very close together in these areas. NOTE: Other countries where this style of arrow can be found are Spain, Portugal and Romania. These arrows can also be found in the UK, but they will point towards the left lane instead of the right one.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
26
https://images.squarespa…c7/Guardrail.png
France uses A-type guardrails, usually without reflectors. On rare occasions, you can findthin B-type, the standard guardrail in Czechia and Slovakia. NOTE: Spanish, Andorran and Belgian guardrails use yellow reflectors.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/TFGWHPxgLCYYuk1D8
27
https://images.squarespa…1_flagmarker.png
Roads may be lined by tall rectangles on a stick in the colours of the Austrian flag, which are not found elsewhere.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
28
https://images.squarespa…architecture.jpg
French architecture largely consists of stone houses, which will normally be either unpainted or painted in greyish or yellow pastel colours. The roofs will typically have a simplegabledesign, with orange tiles or less commonly black slates. Townhouses will often lay wall to wall along the road. Do note that France has some of the most diverse regional architecture of any European country, so don’t be surprised to see towns that look significantly different from the previously described architecture.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
29
https://images.squarespa…_housenumber.png
House numbers in France are most commonly blue, typically written in a serif font with slightly exaggerated shapes. This is most useful when differentiating from Italy, which almost never uses blue house number signs.NOTE: Similar designs can be found in all other neighbouring, as well as many other, countries.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
30
https://images.squarespa…/1_carbrands.png
French car brands Peugeot, Renault and Citroën together make up almost half of all cars in France.NOTE: These car brands are also common in linguistically related neighbouring countries.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
31
https://images.squarespa…/2_divisions.png
This guide will mainly operate with two types of administrative divisions:regions, totalling at13in European France, and96departments, which appear on google maps as the primary administrative divisions. Other rarer divisions you may come across includepre 2016 regions,historical provinces, andregions based on cardinal directions. Departments are often named after physical geographical features and their logos may show up on various infrastructure, shown in the next tip. You can practise them withthis quiz.
3
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
32
https://images.squarespa…/2_areacodes.png
French telephone numbers are 10 digits long, with the first two pairs of digits being two separate area codes, following two patterns: 01 is in Île-de-France and 02-05 goesclockwisefrom the northwest. 2X is in the far north, with the numbers generally increasinganticlockwise. 9X is an exception, being found both in the far northwest and far southeast. Secondary area codes in Île-de-France can be seen onthis map. NOTE: Phone numbers beginning with 06-09 are not regional.
5
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
33
https://images.squarespa…/2_postcodes.png
Each department has an assigned number to it, arranged mostlyalphabetically. This is most useful in postal codes, consisting of 5 digits, the first two representing the department they’re in. NOTE: the same regional codes are used inside the right blue strip onlicence plates.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
34
https://images.squarespa…artmentlogo2.png
Most departments have their own unique logo (formally called official flag), often containing stylized initials or the entire name. Notable infrastructure with department logos includebus stops,kilometre markers,trail banners,directional signsandsignbacks. Learning what each logo looks like is not recommended for beginners, but it can be helpful to know what they stand for when scanning. You can find the full list of logoshere, or see them projected onto a maphere.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
35
https://images.squarespa…ccitanielogo.png
A red and yellow logo with anOccitan crossand vertical stripes is the official flag of the Occitanie region. The rest of the regions also havelogos, which appear less frequently. You can see them projected onto a maphere.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
36
https://images.squarespa…51/2_senyera.png
A flag made up of red and yellow stripes, based onthe Senyera, is the official flag and department logo ofPyrénées-Orientales. You will often find the pattern used in coats of arms on street signs. NOTE: The flag ofProvencelooks similar, but withverticalstripes instead.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
37
https://images.squarespa…4f/2_redroad.png
Roads with a significantred,purpleorburgundytint are most commonly found in an area between Paris and Dijon, with Normandy being a notable exception. The historical region ofBurgundy, which gave the name to the shade of red, roughly corresponds to the highlighted area. NOTE: Normal roads may deceptively look reddish under some lighting, so use this with caution.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
38
https://images.squarespa…rkgreenposts.png
Dark greenroad signposts and backs are most commonly found in Brittany and around Paris, but also various southern regions in the country. NOTE: Beware that this, and the following coloured infrastructure can rarely be found in other parts of the country.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
39
https://images.squarespa…tloirsticker.png
Signbacks in Eure-et-Loir may include a green sticker, the department’s logo. They’re usually placed on a dark green back, without a matching post.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
40
https://images.squarespa…2_darkdarker.png
Agreyish greensignback supported by adarker greenpost, is found in three areas: Brittany (Côtes-d'Armor and eastern half of Ille-et-Vilaine), Pyrénées-Atlantiques and rarely near the Alps.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
41
https://images.squarespa…laissignback.png
In the Pas-de-Calais department, you may find road signs with the following colour arrangement: adark green postpaired with a signback of alighter shade of green, ranging frommatcha greentogreenish turquoise. Thedepartment’s logo, a green and blue triangle, is occasionally presenton the signback. NOTE: Under certain lighting, they can appear similar to the greyish road signs mentioned in the previous tip.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
42
https://images.squarespa…2_brownbacks.png
Road signs where both thepostandbackare paintedbrownare most commonly found in Seine-et-Marne, and rarely in Ille-et-Vilaine. It is more reliable when the post issquare, however round signposts are equally common.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
43
https://images.squarespa…rostreetsign.png
Street signs in the metropolitan area of Paris often say thename of the city, which is generally atypical for street signs in France. The signs will often be made in amodern design, and many city names will beriver based, notably named after Seine and Marne. NOTE: This can be seen sporadically throughout the country, so consider other clues.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
44
https://images.squarespa…oneguardrail.png
Cuboid barriers made ofstonesand mortar are commonly found on Corsica. While by no means unique to Corsica, it is good to consider the island when you see them in rounds with a plausible Mediterranean landscape. NOTE: Stone barriers with arounded topare not found on Corsica.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
45
https://images.squarespa…2_topography.png
This is a topographic map of France. Notably, the tallest mountains are found in the southeast and on the Spanish border. The north and the west coast is generally quite flat or rolling, while the southern half is often hillier.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
46
https://images.squarespa…_westernvibe.png
Rural roads surrounded by hedges blocking the view, reminiscent of the British Isles, are primarily found in the northwest, particularly in Normandy. NOTE: Hedges by themselves are not sufficient for recognizing this area and are common all over France.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://www.google.com/maps/@49.4908887,-1.7382795,3a,75y,86.36h,89.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sKAPjt_gsDfbBQ4yk8HWxHQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu
47
https://images.squarespa…/2_stonepine.png
Stone pinesare commonly found along the southern coast, often planted alongside urban roads. You may however find them as north as Nantes.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
48
https://images.squarespa…bordeauxpine.png
Forests made up entirely of Maritime pines (pinus pinaster) are found in the southwest of the country (Gironde and Landes departments). The whole area will be fairly flat, which is not typical of other areas with such pines.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
49
https://images.squarespa…2_vineyards2.png
France is the second largest wine producer in the world, with many famed wine regions. The most common include the areaaround Bordeaux,southern coastandChampagne, East of Paris. Other regions include, but are not limited to,Loire Valley,AlsaceandCorsica. NOTE: This map is highly simplified, seethis mapfor more detailed and extensive description.
2
2025-07-25T16:30:08
https://goo.gl/maps/nqicyNPLKLJtcvYA8
50
https://images.squarespa…/2_sunflower.png
Sunflowersare mostly found in the southwest of the country, particularly around Toulouse.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
51
https://images.squarespa…/2_windfarms.png
Wind turbines are considerably more common in the north of the country.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
52
https://images.squarespa…2_blackroofs.png
Black shingle roofsare primarily found in the northwest, the rough cutoff being the Loire river. Other areas include near the Belgian border, the south-centre, and the Pyrenees, making black roofs a good clue for Alps-Pyrenees toss-ups.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
53
https://images.squarespa…ittanyhouses.png
Brittanyhas one of the most recognizable and consistent architectures in the country. Common elements include, in addition to black roofs,edge chimneys,black slate wallsandstones surrounding doors and windows. The walls will be either very light coloured or made of stone.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null
54
https://images.squarespa…outherntiles.png
Roofs in the south of the country will often be made up of rounded tiles overlapping one another, often varying in colour.
1
2025-07-25T16:30:08
null