Bison Futé issues red alert for Christmas traffic—how to steer clear of the gridlock in Île-de-France?

The Christmas holidays of 2025 are expected to be particularly challenging on the roads around Île-de-France. Bison Futé forecasts heavy congestion from December 23 to 28, especially heading towards the Normandy coast and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Here’s a roundup of tips to help you avoid getting stuck.

The Christmas holiday break is about to turn Île-de-France's roads into a real battleground this week. With last-minute festive preparations, daily commutes, and the seasonal exodus of travelers, the period between December 23 and December 28, 2025 is expected to be extremely busy. If you're looking for tips to avoid hours stuck in traffic, here are the best times to travel—and the ones you should definitely steer clear of—according to Bison Futé.

What should we expect for Tuesday, December 23?

Tuesday, December 23rd, tensions begin to rise early in the morning across Île-de-France. The combination of holiday departures and rush-hour commutes is expected to lead to heavy traffic conditions lasting well into the evening.

Tips for traveling peacefully:

Leave or cross the Île-de-France before 10 a.m. or after 10 p.m.

How to Avoid Traffic Jams on December 24th?

Wednesday, December 24th, the night before Christmas, has earned the dubious distinction of being the busiest travel day of the season. Bison Futé labels this day as red across the entire country. Residents of Île-de-France can expect heavy traffic from early morning through to the evening. With last-minute holiday shopping, journeys to festivities, and holiday departures, the entire Île-de-France region is set for extremely congested roads.

Tips for December 24th:

Leave or cross Île-de-France before 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Avoid the A13 motorway between Paris and Caen from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Steer clear of the A11 motorway connecting Paris and Nantes between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Stay away from the A10 motorway from Orléans to Poitiers between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Avoid the A7 motorway linking Lyon and Orange from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Reconsider travel on the A8 motorway from Le Fare-les-Oliviers to Italy between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Skip the A64 motorway between Toulouse and Pau from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Avoid using the A46 motorway and National Route 346 for Lyon’s eastern bypass between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Traffic congestion is expected to be heavy on the main highways heading towards the Northern Normandy coast (A13), the Atlantic coast (A10, A11), and most notably the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (A7, A42, A43, and the East Lyon bypass). The Mediterranean corridor (A8, A9) is also under significant pressure, with traffic volumes anticipated to be extremely high.

Is December 25th the best day to travel?

Good news for flexible travelers: Thursday, December 25th has been designated as a GREEN day nationwide by Bison Futé. This is definitely the best time to hit the road during the holiday season if your schedule allows. While families gather around Christmas dinner, the roads are clear, and you’ll be able to travel smoothly. If you can postpone your departure to the 25th, don’t hesitate—it's the perfect window for a hassle-free journey.

What precautions should be taken on Friday, December 26th?

On Friday, December 26th, a public holiday, the holiday getaway officially kicks off. Traffic in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is expected to be extremely heavy from late morning through early evening, especially on major highways such as A7, A40, A41, A42, A43, and A48. The Mont-Blanc Tunnel (N205) is also predicted to see high congestion.

Advice for December 26th:

Avoid the A6 motorway between Beaune and Lyon from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Avoid the A7 motorway between Lyon and Orange from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Avoid the A40 motorway between Mâcon and Annemasse from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Avoid the Mont Blanc Tunnel (N205) between France and Italy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Stay clear of the A46 motorway and the N346 national road for the eastern bypass of Lyon from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Avoid the A41 motorway between Grenoble and Switzerland from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Avoid the A43 motorway between Lyon and Chambéry from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Which day should you absolutely avoid before heading on vacation?

Saturday, December 27, 2025 is shaping up to be a day to steer clear of if you can. Traffic levels are expected to be heavy from early morning through late evening. On this day, weekend return journeys will add to the outbound flows, resulting in a double rush. Major highways in the Northeast, such as the A4, A6, and A31, are forecasted to be particularly congested in the direction of returning travelers.

Tips for December 27 in the direction of departures:

Leave or cross the Île-de-France region before 6 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Avoid the A40 motorway between Mâcon and Annemasse from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Stay clear of the A43 highway connecting Lyon and Chambéry from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Steer clear of the A46 and National Route 346 for the eastern bypass around Lyon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Refrain from using the Mont-Blanc Tunnel (N205) between France and Italy from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Tips for December 27th in preparation for the return journey:

Avoid the A4 motorway between Strasbourg and Metz from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Avoid the A7 motorway between Orange and Lyon from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Avoid the A6 motorway between Lyon and Beaune from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Avoid the A43 motorway between Chambéry and Lyon from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Avoid the A46 motorway and National Route 346 for the eastern bypass of Lyon, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Avoid the A40 motorway between Annemasse and Mâcon from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Stay clear of the Mont-Blanc Tunnel (N205) connecting Italy and France between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m.

What to expect on Sunday, December 28th?

Sunday, December 28th, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is expected to experience heavy traffic once again by late morning. Heading back towards the capital, the Île-de-France area will face congestion, with significant delays at toll booths on the A6 and A10 highways.

Tips for December 28th for those heading out of town:

Avoid the A6 motorway between Beaune and Lyon from 12 PM to 7 PM
Avoid the A7 motorway connecting Lyon to Orange between 11 AM and 7 PM
Refrain from using the A40 motorway between Mâcon and Annemasse from 1 PM to 7 PM
Skip the A43 motorway linking Lyon to Chambéry from 12 PM to 7 PM
Avoid the A46 and National Route 346 during the east bypass of Lyon, from 2 PM to 5 PM

Tips for December 28th for the return journey:

Join or pass through Île-de-France before 11 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

In short, for Christmas holiday travel in 2025, planning your trips in advance remains the best way to avoid spending your New Year’s Eve stuck in traffic on the ring road. Start packing your bags with these key time slots in mind, and our best wishes go out to everyone who has no choice but to adhere to their scheduled hours. Be sure to check the forecasts regularly on Bison Futé’s website and stay updated with real-time traffic info on the Security Road website so you can adjust your route at the last minute.