Watch out for traffic jams on France’s worst traffic weekend

France’s holiday migration hits its peak this weekend as one batch of holidaymakers go back to work and another takes off for their summer destination. The official traffic monitor has declared a red alert for Friday and - even worse - black alert for Saturday. So if you do not want to be left simmering in a rented car or stranded in a French train station, plan your trip carefully.

Flicke/Thomas@BOD

France’s traffic monitor advises holidaymakers against all long-distance driving on Friday and Saturday, even overnight. Tourists are advised to wait until Sunday to hit the road.

Last year, there were 200 km of traffic jams at 3.30pm, and a record 320 km of traffic jams were observed at 6.30pm on Friday in July last year.

If you want to stay abreast of traffic forcasts, visits the website of France’s traffic monitor Bison Futé here.

On Friday Bison Futé has declared a red alert for drivers going on holiday and an orange alert for drivers coming back from holiday, except in the Rhone Valley where traffic jams are expected in both directions.

On Saturday heavy traffic is expected for drivers leaving on holiday as early as 5.00 am south of Paris on the A10, and north of Paris on the A6 and in the Rhone Valley on the A7. Heavy traffic is expected on north-south motorways, around the south coast and on motorways from Paris to Normandy and Brittany.

And for holidaymakers returning home after their summer vacation, traffic will be difficult from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm on all important motorways.

On Sunday traffic conditions should have improved but drivers are advised to avoid travelling near Paris, in Normandy between 9.00 am and 1.00 pm.

France’s rail company, the SNCF is expecting 1.6 million travellers to transit through French train station this weekend. Special staff, decked in red and blue clothing, should be able to offer advice to travellers in train station.

Here’s a map that will give you all the information you need about how bad your journey will be. And for storms to watch, click here.