France’s pharmacy sign—a green neon cross fabricated in seemingly unlimited iterations across the land—is the country’s most ubiquitous logo.

Sometimes it appears in a static—and in this case, stately—form, here at a deluxe pharmacy in Amiens [row one].

In the second row is an animated sign that provides weather and market reports along with the store’s business hours.

In row three, nested crosses in different colors suggest a cookie cutter set, then segue through medical symbols, including the classic rod of Asclepius, which signifies healing and medicine.

Croix de Pharmacie owners take pride in their signs--and take good care of them. Row four: a repair is being made on a sign in Pezenas.

My all-time favorite, though, is the italic version in row five, seen in Clermont-l'Hérault. The pharmacy smartly offers parking—a major draw in a busy town with only a few municipal lots. Photos: Peggy Roalf