Traffic Complications on Friday, December 20: Bison futé Forecasts an Orange Day Nationwide and a Red Day in Île-de-France

The Christmas holidays are finally here, but traffic is expected to be difficult on Friday, December 20. According to Bison futé’s forecasts, the day will be the most congested before a weekend that promises to be smoother on the roads.

The organization warns of “difficult traffic” in the direction of departures, especially around major metropolitan areas. Significant traffic jams are expected, particularly in the afternoon, and should persist until Tuesday. “In the days leading up to Christmas, traffic will be dense, mainly around large cities,” Bison futé warns.

However, with Christmas falling on a Wednesday, departures will be spread out between Friday and Tuesday, which avoids a “black day.” On Friday, all major roads will be heavily frequented, particularly towards the Alps (A43 and access to the Mont-Blanc tunnel) and the Mediterranean coast (A7, A50), while in Île-de-France, the day is classified as red.

For Saturday, the main traffic difficulties are expected in Île-de-France, mainly due to holiday departures and trips to shopping centers and leisure spots. Traffic is expected to ease on Sunday, which is classified as green in both directions, before further disruptions are anticipated on Monday and Tuesday in the Paris region.