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Heavy Traffic Expected on French Roads During Early August Summer Holidays
As the summer holiday season kicks off in France, travellers are advised to be mindful of heavy traffic on the roads, particularly from August 1 to 4, 2025.
According to Bison Futé, the official traffic forecasting service, Saturday, August 2, has been designated a "black day" for severe congestion, especially in the Rhône Valley, Mediterranean routes, and main highways like the A7, A9, and A10.
The southeast quarter, including the Mediterranean coast, the southern Alps, Vaucluse, and Lozère, as well as Grand Est and Burgundy-Franche-Comté, are classified as orange for departures during these days. The day on Monday will be red for departures in the southeast quarter, and the same color (orange) is expected for returns in the region.
The rest of the country will be green for departures on Monday, but traffic conditions will still be difficult on major highways, such as the A10 between Bordeaux and Poitiers, A7 between Lyon and Marseille, and A9 between Orange and Narbonne. The A75 between Clermont-Ferrand and Béziers will also be heavily used from late morning until late afternoon on both Sunday and Monday.
To avoid traffic jams during this peak holiday period, travelers are advised to postpone travel on Saturday, August 2, if possible, since this is the worst day for traffic. Other recommended strategies include travelling midweek between Tuesday and Thursday, departing Sunday morning or late Saturday morning, using alternative routes, and being aware of truck traffic bans on certain dates.
Additionally, train services (SNCF) expect very intense travel but no queues, making trains a good alternative to road travel. Checking real-time updates from Bison Futé via their website is also recommended for the latest traffic conditions and alternate routes.
As "Augustists" start their summer holidays, movements will be spread out until Monday. Summer holidays have ended for "Julyists." Today is classified as a black day for holiday departures, and traffic conditions will remain difficult on Sunday and Monday, especially in the departure direction, even as roads clear.
The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and the northwest quarter, including Hauts-de-France, Normandy, Brittany, Pays de la Loire, and Centre-Val de Loire, experienced very difficult traffic on Friday.
Travellers are encouraged to plan their journeys carefully and be patient during this busy holiday period. With a bit of planning and flexibility, a smooth journey can still be enjoyed.
During the early August summer holidays, the sports and lifestyle industry may experience a surge due to increased travel, but it comes with the challenge of heavy traffic, particularly in the sports of outdoor activities such as cycling or hiking, which require road travel.
The finance sector might also be impacted during this period, as travel expenses could increase due to challenges in transportation, such as delayed trains or Congestion charge on major highways like the A7 or A9.
Moreover, the travel industry, on the other hand, may benefit from these holiday periods, with train services (SNCF) offering an alternative for those wishing to avoid road traffic. However, careful planning and strategies, like postponing travel or using alternative routes, are recommended to ensure a smooth journey, enhancing the overall holiday lifestyle and experience.
