France traffic: Heavy congestion expected for August 15 holiday weekend

Bison Futé and the French Ministry of Transport have issued warnings regarding heavy traffic congestion across France for the August 15 holiday weekend. The period from Friday, August 14, to Monday, August 17, is expected to see significant disruptions as summer vacation returns begin to outweigh departures.

Saturday, August 15, is forecasted to be the most difficult day, with traffic classified as “red” nationally in both directions. In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, conditions are expected to be even more severe, reaching a “black” classification for departures.

Key areas of concern include the Mediterranean arc and major routes connecting the south to the Île-de-France and Bordeaux. Specific highways, such as the A7 between Orange and Lyon and the A43 between Lyon and Chambéry, are expected to experience heavy saturation. Travelers are advised to plan accordingly to navigate the seasonal shift in holiday traffic.