Perhaps you noticed the unassuming Route Nationale 19 sign. It might seem like any other road. But it holds a significant place in French history.
Route Nationale 19 once stretched from Paris to the Swiss border. It connected Paris to Basel in its early days. That was back in 1824. Imagine horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles traversing this very route.
Today, much of Route Nationale 19 has been reclassified. It is now a departmental road. A decree in 2005 transferred national roads to the departments. This led to the reclassification of much of its route.
Let’s rewind a bit. Originally, Route Nationale 19 linked Paris to Basel. But in the 1970s, its path changed. It was diverted after Belfort to reach Delle. By 2006, only certain sections remained under national control. These included the link between Bonneuil and Francilienne. Also the link from A31 north of Langres to the Swiss border.
Leaving Paris, Route Nationale 19 begins at Quai d’Ivry. It heads towards Provins, cutting through the Brie region. Think of the French countryside. Rolling hills and small villages dotted along the way.
Between Ivry-sur-Seine and Bonneuil, Route Nationale 19 is now D19. This change happened in 2009. But between Bonneuil and Brie-Comte-Robert, it retains its status.
Improvement projects sought to ease congestion. A deviation was planned at Boissy-Saint-Léger. It runs from Route Nationale 406 to the Château de Grosbois. There were many traffic jams and accidents there. Future plans included improvements through Villecresnes. Also a deviation from Marolles-en-Brie to Francilienne.
Originally, Route Nationale 19 went from Brie-Comte-Robert to Guignes. It passed through Coubert. This section was reclassified as RD 319 in 2003. For a few years, between 2003 and 2007, it took a detour. It used Francilienne and then the A105. This followed a portion of the old Route Nationale 447. Since 2007, this section has been transferred back. It is now known as D 619.
In Haute-Saône, Route Nationale 19 is set for transformation. It will become a 2×2 lane expressway. This runs between Langres and Delle. Construction has already started in some areas.
Route Nationale 19 once connected Belfort and Basel. It ran through Altkirch. This section was reclassified as RD 419 in the 1970s. Today, it follows the old Route Nationale 19bis. This goes from Belfort to Delle. Efforts continue to improve connections. The aim is to better link French and Swiss highways.
The Morvillars-Delle section opened in 2005. It cut travel time significantly. It bypasses Joncherey and Grandvillars. This reduced traffic in those villages.
Remember that Route Nationale 19 is more than just asphalt. It is a journey through time. From royal routes to modern highways, its story reflects France’s evolving landscape.