This weekend marks the start of the winter holidays for Zone C in France, which includes the Île-de-France and Occitanie academies, and it coincides with the second week of holidays for Zone B and the final weekend of holidays for Zone A. As a result, many families are expected to hit the roads, creating potential traffic jams across the country. Bison Futé, the French traffic forecasting service, has warned of significant congestion especially as holiday-goers head to popular skiing destinations and other vacation spots.

The heavy traffic is expected to begin this Friday, as families leave for their holiday destinations or return home. This influx of travelers will likely result in increased delays on major highways throughout the country. In addition, adverse weather conditions could further exacerbate the situation, as winter conditions often lead to slower driving and accidents, meaning motorists should prepare for longer travel times and possible disruptions.

Authorities encourage travelers to plan their trips accordingly, advising them to check real-time traffic updates and consider alternative routes or timing their journeys to avoid peak travel periods. With holiday traffic consistently presenting challenges for road users, the emphasis remains on safety and caution as families embark on their winter getaways.