We’re officially into les grandes vacances – schools in France broke up for the long summer holidays a week ago – and many families have wasted no time dashing off on their annual getaway.
That means heavier traffic than normal on France’s key arterial routes as domestic holidaymakers, boosted by tourists from some neighbouring countries, head to the popular resorts for a week or two in the sun.
And, the July 14th Fête Nationale weekend promises to be a very busy one on the country’s roads, watchdog Bison Futé warned, with Friday, July 10th, and Saturday, July 11th, both set to be particularly difficult.
Friday, July 10th
Roads leading to the northwestern quarter, the Atlantic coast, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and the Mediterranean arc will be especially busy from early afternoon through to well into the evening. In the Île-de-France, traffic will become very heavy heading toward the toll plazas on the A10 and A6 from late morning. By mid-afternoon, the increase in traffic on these highways, combined with commuter traffic, could lead to persistent traffic delays lasting well into the evening. In addition, the A13 is expected to experience slowdowns starting in the mid-afternoon.
Bison Futé predicts ‘very difficult’ travel conditions for most of the country, rising to ‘extremely difficult’ in the south-eastern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, while those heading in the opposite direction face ‘difficult’ periods in the south-east and north-west
Friday's road conditions. Graphic: Bison FutéIn particular, Bison Fute urges road users heading towards holiday destinations to:
- Leave or travel through the Île-de-France before 8am or after 12midnight;
- Avoid the A13 between Paris and Rouen from 5pm to 8pm, and between Rouen and Caen from 4pm to 8pm;
- Avoid N165 between Nantes and Quimper from 5pm to 7pm;
- Avoid the A10 between Paris and Orléans from 11am to 11pm and between Poitiers and Bordeaux from 1pm to 6pm;
- Avoid the A7 between Lyon and Orange from 3pm to 11pm, and between Orange and Marseille from 5pm to 8pm;
- Avoid the A75 between Clermont-Ferrand and Béziers from 3pm to 7pm;
- Avoid the Mont Blanc Tunnel (N205) between France and Italy from 12noon to 7pm;
- Avoid the A46 and N346 for the eastern bypass around Lyon from 1pm to 6pm.
Those returning from holiday destinations to main cities should avoid:
- the A25 between Dunkirk and Lille from 12noon to 7pm;
- the A1 between Lille and Paris from 1pm to 6pm;
- the A83 between Niort and Nantes from 6pm to 8pm;
- N165 between Quimper and Nantes from 4pm to 7pm;
- the A8 between Italy and the junction with the A7 from 6pm to 8pm;
- the A57 between Le Luc and Toulon from 3pm to 7pm;
- the A7 between Marseille and Orange from 2pm to 7pm.
Saturday, July 11th
Roads leading to the Atlantic coast, Normandy coast, central France, and the southeastern quarter will see very heavy traffic in the direction of holiday resorts throughout the day. In Île-de-France, traffic will be very heavy heading toward the toll plazas on the A10 and A6, from early in the morning until mid-afternoon. In addition, the A13 is expected to experience heavy traffic starting early in the morning.
For those heading back from their holidays, the Mediterranean Arc is expected to see the day’s heaviest congestion from mid-morning through mid-afternoon.
The state of France's main routes on Saturday. Graphic: Bison FutéAccording to Bison Fute, therefore, motorists heading to holiday destinations should:
- Leave or travel through the Île-de-France before 4am or after 6pm;
- Avoid the A13 between Paris and Caen from 10am to 2pm;
- Avoid the A11 between Le Mans and Angers from 12noon to 4pm;
- Avoid N165 between Nantes and Quimper from 12noon to 7pm;
- Avoid the A10 between Paris and Orléans from 6am to 3pm, between Tours and Poitiers from 10am to 1pm, and between Poitiers and Bordeaux from 12noon to 2pm;
- Avoid the A63 between Bordeaux and Bayonne from 11am to 2pm;
- Avoid the A7 between Lyon and Orange from 12noon to 4pm, and between Orange and Marseille from 12noon and 2pm;
- Avoid the Mont Blanc Tunnel (N205) between France and Italy from 8am to 4pm;
- Avoid the A43 between Lyon and Chambéry from 12noon to 2pm, and between Chambéry and the Fréjus Tunnel from 11am to 6pm.
Those heading in the other direction are advised to:
- Avoid the A9 between Narbonne and Nîmes from 9am to 4pm;
- Avoid the A50 between Toulon and Marseille from 11am to 1pm;
- Avoid the A54 and the N113 between Salon-de-Provence and Nîmes from 10am to 3pm;
- Avoid the A8 between Italy and Le Luc from 9am to 12noon, and between Le Luc and the junction with the A7 from 11am to 1pm;
- Avoid the A7 between Marseille and Orange from 10am to 1pm;
- Avoid the A75 between Béziers and Clermont-Ferrand from 10am to 2pm.
Sunday, July 12th
A clearer day for travel overall, but roads in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region are expected to be very busy from mid-morning through late afternoon.
Travel will be a bit more difficult in the south-east of France on Sunday. Graphic: Bison FutéMotorists travelling on Sunday should:
- Avoid the A7 between Lyon and Orange from 11am to 6pm;
- Avoid the A75 between Clermont-Ferrand and Béziers from 9am to 12noon;
- Avoid the Mont Blanc Tunnel (N205) between France and Italy from 9am to 6pm;
- Avoid the A46 and N346 on the eastern bypass around Lyon from 11am to 1pm.
Tuesday, July 14th
After a trouble-free Monday, according to Bison Fute, Tuesday – the day of France’s Fête Nationale – will see a notable uptick in congestion on the country’s roads. For those heading back home at the end of their holidays, routes leading to the Normandy and Atlantic coasts will be congested from mid-afternoon through early evening. In the Île-de-France, traffic will be heavy on the A10 and A6 from early afternoon until late in the evening. The A13 is also expected to experience traffic delays starting in the early afternoon.
Busy in the north-west of France on Monday. Graphic: Bison FutéMotorists are advised, specifically, to:
- Avoid travelling through the Île-de-France after 12noon;
- Avoid the A13 between Caen and Rouen from 4pm to 9pm, and between Rouen and Paris from 12noon to 7pm,
- Avoid N165 between Quimper and Nantes from 4pm to 6pm,
- Avoid the A11 between Nantes and Angers from 4pm to 7pm.
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