Advertisement

Traffic jam warnings issued across France as holidaymakers drive home

The Local France
The Local France - [email protected]
Traffic jam warnings issued across France as holidaymakers drive home
The coronavirus situation has lead to more people than usual opting for the car as a means of transport this year, to avoid crowding on trains and planes and potential exposure to the virus. P

People travelling in France on Saturday should brace for busy roads and traffic jams, warned the country's traffic forecaster.

Advertisement

With August approaching its end and schools set to reopen on September 1st, France's main holiday season is also drawing to a close.

Many French holidaymakers will be making their way back home this weekend, causing traffic jams across the entire French mainland.

Bison Futé, the government-run site that monitors traffic levels in France, has placed the whole country on "red alert" on Saturday.

Red is the second highest level after black and signals 'very heavy' traffic.

 

Photo: Bison Futé

The return direction will however be "green", so anyone driving away on holiday on Saturday can rejoice in normal driving conditions.

Roads are predicted to be a little less crowded on Sunday, with the entire country on "yellow" level, the third highest.

 

Traditionally a much-used means of transport for French holidaymakers, coronavirus made the car even more popular this year, with people perceiving it as a lower-risk option than trains or planes.

The French government issued a warning for people hitting the road on Saturday, reminding them to prepare their journey in advance, rest up, and ensure that the vehicle is in good condition before taking off.

Advertisement

They also recommend taking breaks every two hours and adapt the speed to the conditions on the road.

 

The map below shows what roads to look out for on Saturday (yellow signals "difficult" traffic, red "very difficult").

 

For decades, August has been France's main summer holiday month, rivalled only by July. More recently, a new type of holidaymakers known as septembristes (September-makers) have appeared - probably to avoid the juilletistes and aoûtiens (those leaving in July or August).

READ ALSO: Juilletistes vs Aoûtiens: Do France's two summer holiday tribes still exist? 

 

 

 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also