Where in France are traffic warnings in place for May 8th holiday weekend?

Local France

07-05-2025

As thousands of motorists plan early getaways for the VE Day (May 8th) public holiday, the French traffic watchdog
Bison Futé
has predicted 'difficult' and 'very difficult' travel conditions across the country, starting on Wednesday.
For those opting for other methods of transportation - French rail unions have threatened strike action in the days surrounding VE Day. However, SNCF bosses
reported on Tuesday
that '90 percent of all trains would run over the weekend. You can stay up to date on strike action by following our
Strikes section
.
READ MORE:
VE Day: What happens in France on May 8th
Here is what to expect if you have a road trip planned for the second May public holiday;
Wednesday, May 7th
Bison Futé placed the entire country on the orange 'difficult' alert, while the south-eastern Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region was placed on red alert for 'very difficult' traffic conditions.
Motorists departing for a holiday or long weekend are advised to:
Image: Bison Futé
leave or cross Île-de-France before 2pm;
avoid the A25 between Lille and Socx from 5pm to 8pm;
avoid the A13 between Rouen and Caen from 4pm to 7pm;
avoid the A11 between Angers and Nantes from 2pm to 8pm;
avoid the A10 between Tours and Poitiers from 12noon to 7pm;
avoid the A7 between Lyon and Orange from 3pm to 10pm;
avoid the A8 between Le Luc and Italy from 3pm to 6pm;
avoid the A46 and the N346 road for the eastern Lyon bypass from 5pm to 7pm.
Thursday, May 8th
The watchdog issued a partial orange alert, taking in the northwestern quarter and a band heading south-east to Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, on the forecast for
Thursday.
While fewer problems are expected on the public holiday itself, orange alerts were put in place across the north-west quarter – focused mainly on the A13 and A11, and in the Rhône valley.
Motorists are advised to:
Image: Bison Futé
avoid the A13 between Rouen and Caen from 10am to 1pm;
avoid the A11 between Chartres and Nantes from 10am to 12noon;
avoid the A7 between Lyon and Orange from 9am to 2pm;
avoid the Mont-Blanc tunnel (N205) heading into Italy, from 9am to 12noon.
Friday and Saturday
These days are set to be quieter, with no major travel issues forecast.
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Sunday, May 11th
Bison Futé raised the alert level again for Sunday, when people will be heading back home after their short break.
The watchdog placed most of the country on the orange alert – rising to red in the south-east quarter and along the Mediterranean arc.
The A7, A8, A9, and A61 in the south-eastern quarter are expected to be particularly difficult, the watchdog said, while slow traffic should be expected on Atlantic coast roads and those heading into the Paris region.
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Bison Futé's advice to motorists is:
Image: Bison Futé
reach or cross the Île-de-France before 11am;
avoid the A13 between Caen and Paris from 4pm to 10pm;
avoid the N165 between Quimper and Nantes from 4pm to 9pm;
avoid the A10 between Tours and Orléans from 4pm to 8pm;
avoid the A9 between Spain and Narbonne from 4pm to 7pm, between Narbonne and Montpellier from 5pm to 7pm, and between Montpellier and Orange from 3pm to 7pm;
avoid the A8 between Le Luc and Aix-en-Provence from 11am to 1pm;
avoid the A7 between Marseille and Orange from 11am to 3pm, and between Orange and Lyon from 12noon to 10pm;
avoid the A61 between Narbonne and Toulouse from 6pm to 9pm.