driving
Toussaint holiday: Expect heavy traffic on major French roads today
Friday is expected to see the heaviest congestion as holidaymakers set off
Published
Motorists in France who want to spend the weekend away should prepare for traffic delays as the Toussaint school holidays begin today, Friday, October 16.
According to the government’s road traffic information service Bison Futé, Friday is expected to be the busiest day, with heavy traffic forecast on routes towards the northern borders, the coast of Brittany and the Mediterranean region.
Congestion is likely to build from mid-afternoon and continue into the early evening.
School holidays are also taking place in Belgium and parts of the Netherlands at the same time, which could contribute to the traffic.
Which roads are likely to be busiest?
In the Île-de-France region, traffic is expected to increase on the A6 and A10 motorways from mid-afternoon on Friday, as commuters and people travelling for the weekend unite on the road.
Bison Futé recommends leaving or crossing the region before 15:00 or after 22:00.
Several other routes are expected to experience delays on Friday. Drivers are advised to avoid the A16 between Amiens and the Belgian border from 11:00 to 17:00, and the A25 between Lille and Dunkirk from 13:00 to 18:00.
Further south, the A7 between Orange and Marseille is expected to be busy from 16:00 to 20:00. The N165 between Quimper and Nantes is also expected to be busy in the return direction from 15:00 to 19:00.
Traffic returning from Lille to Paris is expected to be heavier on the A1 between 16:00 and 19:00.
What about Saturday and Sunday?
On Saturday the main traffic problems are expected around Paris on the A6 and A10 as people leave the capital to begin their trips.
Congestion is expected from mid-morning until early afternoon. Bison Futé recommends leaving or crossing Île-de-France before 8:00 or after 15:00.
Outside the Île-de-France region, traffic is expected to remain light, with the day classified as green for departures and returns across the rest of the country.
Sunday is also forecast to be a relatively quiet day, with green traffic conditions nationwide in both directions.
However, poor weather conditions could cause extra delays so motorists are advised to check traffic conditions before setting off and allow extra time for their journeys, especially on Friday.
