All over France there are old concrete pillars with enamel plaques, placed at intersections to tell you where you are. From the end of the First World War to the beginning of the Second World War responsibility for road signage was taken up by those interested in promoting private motorcar touring. Michelin is the most well known, but the early motoring clubs, like the Automobile Club de l'Ouest also sponsored road signs.
The design of these reinforced concrete pillars with enamel panels became standardised in 1928, but the entire scheme wasn't officially sanctioned until 1931. All the signs bore the name of the sponsor, and often the name of the Region or Département (County). In 1946 the authorities had a change of heart and refused all donations of this sort. In addition, the signs were banished from major intersections and could now only be placed on minor roads. Michelin finally ceased producing them in 1971. They are very easy to date, as each sign has the date of manufacture hand painted on the enamel.
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| This sign is telling you it is 8 kilometres to Preuilly on the Chemin de Grande Communication 50 (now Route Départementale 50). |
The date on this one at Abilly indicates it was made in 1925, in the standardised form, but before it became the only option. Indre et Loire, our 'county' is particularly rich in Michelin signs, most probably because there was a Michelin factory in Joué les Tours. This one was sponsored by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organisation created in 1906, that still to this day run the famous 24 hour races at Le Mans.
The free standing signs are referred to as les panneaux de signalisation routieres Michelin, signalétiques Michelin or bornes Michelin. If they are attached to a wall they are called plaques Michelin.
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