Ascension Day 2026: Red and black days for Bison Futé, a look at the forecasts

The Ascension Day is upon us, and with it the promise of four days of rest and play for both kids and adults. Yet such freedom brings its share of inconveniences, especially for those who had planned to travel a bit this weekend. Bison Futé is forecasting heavy traffic starting on Wednesday, May 13, across the country. A long weekend that, unfortunately, comes with a lot of congestion. For a stress-free travel experience, we recommend following the forecasts from Bison Futé and planning your trips accordingly.

Severe traffic disruptions for Wednesday departures

Bison Futé’s outlook is not very encouraging for those planning to hit the road this Wednesday. The whole of France is marked red, and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is even classified black. Bison Futé expects heavy traffic to build from late morning in Île-de-France, toward the toll barriers on motorways A6 and A10. The congestion is set to intensify through the afternoon and remain troublesome into the evening.

As travelers head home, France is also rated in orange, signaling heavy traffic on all major road corridors this Wednesday.

What are the best times to leave on Wednesday and Thursday?

Wednesday, May 13, motorists should:

• Leave or cross Île-de-France before 10 a.m.,
• Avoid the A25 motorway between Lille and Dunkirk from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
• Avoid the A13 motorway between Paris and Rouen from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and between Rouen and Caen from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
• Avoid the A10 motorway between Poitiers and Bordeaux from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
• Avoid the A7 motorway between Lyon and Orange from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and between Orange and Marseille from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 14, another tough day on the departures front:

• Leave or cross Île-de-France before 6 a.m. or after 5 p.m.,
• Avoid the A4 highway, between Paris and Reims, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
• Avoid the A13 highway, between Paris and Rouen, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and between Rouen and Caen, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
• Avoid the A11 highway, between Paris and Le Mans, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and between Le Mans and Angers, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
• Avoid the A10 highway, between Paris and Tours, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., between Tours and Poitiers, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and between Poitiers and Bordeaux, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• To be read
• This week's top picks in Paris and Île-de-France, May 11–17, 2026

Bison Futé recommends leaving Île-de-France early in the morning or after 5 p.m. on these two peak days for weekend departures, to limit the disruption.

Which roads to avoid when returning home from the weekend?

The peak of travel difficulty is expected on Sunday, May 17, and has been rated red by Bison Futé. Traffic will be extremely heavy in the homebound direction, particularly from the western and northern regions. The motorways are expected to be especially congested from the afternoon through early evening. Drivers are advised to:

• Entering or crossing Île-de-France before 10:00.
• Avoid the A13 motorway, Caen–Rouen corridor from 11:00 to 18:00, and the Rouen–Paris stretch from 12:00 to 18:00.
• Avoid the A81 motorway and the N81, Rennes–Le Mans from 16:00 to 19:00.
• Avoid the A11 motorway, Angers–Le Mans from 11:00 to 14:00, and Le Mans–Paris from 15:00 to 17:00.
• Avoid the A10 motorway, Bordeaux–Poitiers from 15:00 to 17:00, Poitiers–Tours from 12:00 to 17:00, Tours–Orléans from 16:00 to 19:00, and Orléans–Paris from 11:00 to 23:00.

In the Île-de-France region, the A10, A13 and A6 motorways will be heavily congested today, with delays expected to last well into the evening.

Tips for avoiding traffic jams

For departures:

• Leave the Île-de-France region before 10 a.m. or after midnight on Wednesday, before 5 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on Thursday.
• Avoid the main routes listed by Bison Futé during peak hours.

For returns:

• Head to Île-de-France before 3 p.m. or after 8 p.m. on Sunday.
• Avoid the West's major highways and the Mont-Blanc tunnel.

The Pont de l'Ascension is traditionally a period of heavy traffic, but with careful planning it is possible to minimize inconvenience and enjoy the long weekend. Keep up to date with the latest traffic updates and adjust your plans accordingly for a more enjoyable journey.