A directional sign is a sign or signaling device placed before a business or establishment, usually along a road, to indicate the proximity or direction of a specific location such as a hotel, restaurant, gas station, or tourist site. It differs from a business sign, which is affixed directly to the building itself. In principle, directional signs are prohibited, but exceptions exist for certain activities deemed essential for travelers, with limits on the number permitted. Since July 2015, they have been prohibited in towns with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants.