New easyJet flights, more France-US connections and weekend traffic

Our France travel round-up also sees flight menus prepared by a Michelin-starred chef

Clockwise from top left: New easyJet flights, traffic on the A43, Paris Metro free all-night on December 31 and Air France flights to US
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Air France will fly to more destinations from Paris Charles de Gaulle in summer 2024

The company has released its list of destinations for the summer, which include:

  • Verona (Italy)
  • Narvik (Norway)
  • Kalamata (Greece)

It is also expanding its service to North America by continuing the winter routes to Minneapolis and Raleigh Durham (North Carolina) all summer.

In total, Air France will fly 23 routes to North America in summer 2024

Michelin-starred chef to prepare menus for Air France

Air France has entrusted renowned chef Frédéric Simonin with preparing two dishes for its Premium Economy class.

This is the first time that the airline has let a Michelin-starred chef prepare its Premium Economy class menus.

Mr Simonin, who has won a total of six Michelin stars at his restaurants, has prepared two dishes, one of which is vegetarian:

  • Salmon orzo risotto with wild dill and lemon sauce
  • Trofie pasta with porcini mushroom and hazelnuts

Paris public transport free all night on New Year’s Eve

The Paris Metro will be free and operate all night on December 31, as will the buses.

The special New Year’s Eve schedule is hoped to reduce congestion.

However, some stations will close in the early evening to remove major bottlenecks, including:

  • Charles de Gaulle
  • Argentine
  • George V
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • Champs-Élysées Clemenceau
  • Concorde
  • Tuileries

Read more: What changes in France in 2024 for public transport?

New easyJet routes in 2024

EasyJet will operate two flights a week between La Rochelle and Lyon for the next four years, replacing the previous operator of the route, Chalair.

The low-cost airline has also announced that it open three new routes from Toulouse in 2024:

  • To Berlin
  • To Milan
  • To Zadar

Heavy traffic expected on motorways around Lyon

The A43 between Lyon and Chambéry will be heavily congested on December 30 as holiday makers travel to the ski stations.

Pic: BisonFuté

People are advised to avoid:

  • The A7 between Lyon and Orange from 16:00 to 18:00
  • The A40 between Mâcon and Annemasse from 14:00 to 16:00
  • The A43 between Lyon and Chambéry from 10:00 to 19:00

For up-to-date information on the road conditions, consult the official traffic website Bison Futé.

Read more: How can I get to the ski resorts in France?