A8 autoroute facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Route information | |
Part of  E 80 |
|
| Maintained by ASF | |
| Length | 224 km (139 mi) |
| Existed | 1961–present |
| Major junctions | |
| East end |  A 7 at Marseille |
|
|
| West end | Italian border; road continues as the Italian A10 |
| Highway system | |
| Autoroutes of France | |
The A8 is a major road in France called an autoroute. Think of it like a big highway where you can drive fast and safely. It stretches across the sunny southern coast of France, connecting the city of Marseille all the way to the border with Italy.
This important road is about 224 kilometers (or about 139 miles) long. It's also part of a bigger network of roads across Europe, known as the European route E80. As you travel along the A8, you'll pass by famous places like Cannes and Nice, and even get close to the tiny country of Monaco.
What is an Autoroute?
An autoroute is a special type of road in France. It's designed for fast travel over long distances. These roads usually have multiple lanes in each direction. They also have special entry and exit points. You often have to pay a fee, called a toll, to use parts of them. This money helps to maintain the road.
Where Does the A8 Go?
The A8 autoroute is super important for connecting many popular places in the south of France. It starts near Marseille, which is a big port city. From there, it heads east, passing through beautiful regions.
Some of the main cities and areas it connects include:
- Aix-en-Provence: A lovely city known for its art and fountains.
- Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël: Coastal towns popular for holidays.
- Cannes: Famous for its film festival and beautiful beaches.
- Antibes: Another charming coastal town with a big marina.
- Nice: A large, vibrant city on the French Riviera.
- Monaco: The A8 gets very close to this small, independent country. You can take a special exit to go there.
- Menton: The last French town before the Italian border.
After Menton, the A8 crosses the border into Italy. Here, it changes its name to the A10. This means you can keep driving on a similar highway all the way into Italy!
Important Connections
The A8 doesn't just connect cities; it also links up with other major autoroutes. These connections are called junctions. They help drivers switch to different routes to reach other parts of France or Europe.
Some of the main junctions on the A8 include:
- The A7 autoroute: This road can take you north towards Paris.
- The A51 autoroute: This road goes north from Aix-en-Provence.
- The A52 autoroute: This road connects to other parts of the region.
- The A57 autoroute: This road heads towards Toulon.
These connections make the A8 a key part of the road network in southern France. It helps millions of people travel for holidays, work, and to transport goods every year.
Images for kids
-
An icon showing a road junction.
-
An icon for a picnic area.
-
An icon for a road exit.
-
An icon for a toll booth.
-
An icon for a service area with a gas station.
-
The flag of Monaco.
-
The flag of Italy.
