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Weekend traffic chaos forecast for French roads

The Local France
The Local France - [email protected]
Weekend traffic chaos forecast for French roads
Being stuck in a car or a train will not be pleasant this weekend. Photo: AFP

France's traffic info services have warned that the roads will be well and truly clogged this weekend as holidaymakers return home. Here's what you need to know.

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There's only a week left until most French children will return to school, and accordingly, many families are beginning to head home to get ready.
 
France's traffic info service Bison Futé is well aware of the potential chaos, and has forecast a weekend of heavy traffic - especially on Saturday.
 
Here is a breakdown.
 
Friday:
 
The Rhone-Alpes-Auvergne area, as well as the Mediterranean arch have been given a region-specific red alert for holidaymakers heading home. 
 
The service issued an orange alert nationwide.
 
Saturday:
 
It predicted "a very difficult day" on the national roads and issued a nationwide red level alert.
 
The service said traffic would be even worse in the south-western and south-eastern reaches of the country, issuing the areas black level alerts - the highest on the spectrum. 
 

(This map shows the areas forecast to be worst hit over the weekend. Photo: Bison Futé)
 
"Circulation will be exceptionally difficult between Bordeaux and the Spanish border, and also along the Mediterranean Arch up to Orange," it noted.
 
Orange is a town where highways from the eastern and western halves of the Mediterranean coast meet as they head north. 
 
Sunday: 
 
A nationwide orange alert for returning holidaymakers, as well as an orange alert on the Mediterranean arch for those departing. 
 
 
In general, the service recommended avoiding the major roads in the southern half of France between 11am and the mid-evening between Friday and Sunday to be safe. 
 
If you're heading back to Paris on Sunday, you're advised to steer clear of the A10, A6, and the A13 between 2pm and 10pm.
 
For more traffic information for France, consult Bison Futé (in English) throughout the weekend.

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