Expect Christmas getaway road chaos

DRIVERS are warned that France’s major routes will be heavily congested this weekend as the great Christmas getaway kicks off early.

Travel watchdog Bison Futé has advised motorists to avoid if possible the peak travel period between 2pm and 8pm today, as well as between 10am and 6pm on major routes in the direction of the Alps tomorrow.

It said that traffic is expected to be particularly heavy near suburban retail zones, as shoppers head to the supermarkets for the final weekend before Christmas.

Congestion is forecast to ease on Sunday, with all routes classified “green” on Bison Futé’s traffic-light scale.

Meanwhile, both Orly and Roissy Charles de Gaulle airports are gearing up for a the big opening weekend of a hectic holiday period.

An estimated seven million passengers are expected to head through the gates of the capital’s two main airports between today and January 4.

According to Aéroports de Paris, the number of passengers taking flight over Christmas has risen 20%.

Photo: Thomas Bresson