Motorists in France should prepare for another summer of busy roads, with traffic forecasting service Bison Futé identifying several periods of severe congestion.
The official 2026 traffic calendar shows a number of red and black warning days between early July and late August.
While only one day - August 1 – is classified black across the whole country for holiday departures, several other dates reach the highest warning level in specific regions.
In Bison Futé terminology, departures refer to traffic leaving Paris and other major urban areas for holiday destinations, while returns refer to journeys in the opposite direction.
Six traffic zones
Bison Futé divides mainland France into six traffic zones: Île-de-France, Grand-Ouest et Nord, Bourgogne et Est, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Sud-Ouest et l' Arc méditerranéen.
Forecasts are issued separately for each zone and for both departure and return traffic.
There is a four-colour warning system:
Green: normal traffic conditions
Orange: difficult traffic
Red: very difficult traffic
Black: extremely difficult traffic
Below is Bison Futé’s calendar showing congestion in July and August.
Early July departures bring first black warnings
Traffic is expected to build from the start of the school summer holidays, which begin on July 4.
Friday July 3 and Saturday July 4 are forecast to be among the first major travel days of the season. On July 4, the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes zone reaches black status for departures, indicating extremely difficult conditions.
The following weekend is expected to be even more challenging. On Saturday July 11, both the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Grand-Ouest et Nord zones are classified black for departures, while several other areas face very difficult traffic conditions.
August 1 set to be the busiest day of the summer
Summer’s most severe congestion is set to take place August 1, classified black nationwide in the departure direction, making it the busiest getaway as motorists head towards holiday destinations.
The previous day, July 31, is also expected to be difficult, with the Sud-Ouest zone showing a black status for departures.
Traffic is likely to remain heavy throughout the following week. Saturday August 8 is classified red nationally in both directions, meaning very difficult conditions are expected for both departing and returning motorists across France.
Assumption weekend
The Assumption holiday on August 15 is expected to generate another major surge in traffic.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes zone is again classified black for departures, while several other regions are forecast to experience very difficult conditions.
Bison Futé expects heavy traffic on routes leading to popular holiday destinations as many travellers take advantage of one of the last major holiday weekends of the summer.
Return journeys to be less severe
While several summer weekends reach black status for departures, no equivalent nationwide black warning has been issued for return traffic.
The most difficult return periods are expected in August, when many people begin their journey back home from holidays. August 8 and August 15 are both classified red nationwide for return traffic, while August 28 is also expected to see increased traffic levels.
