SMART ONE. If you’re planning on hitting the road this Ascension long weekend, you’ll find it hard to avoid traffic jams. The first difficulties, especially from Paris, will appear from the beginning of the afternoon on May 17th.
[Mis à jour le 17 mai 2023 à 9h40] If you had planned to make the most of the Ascension Bridge, the best way to avoid traffic jams was to leave Paris and the major cities before noon on Wednesday. Day classified red by Bison Futé in the direction of departures, this May 17, the day before a public holiday, will be particularly busy on the axes starting from the capital towards the west of France. Thus, it is strongly recommended to avoid driving on the A10 towards Tours from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., on the A11 towards Angers from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on the A13 between Paris and Rouen from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. .
In the south-east of the country, traffic should be particularly slow on the section of the A7 between Lyon and Orange, from 1 p.m. until midnight, while the Orange-Marseille axis should be avoided at the end of the day and the beginning of the evening. (from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Bison Futé is also planning major slowdowns on the A61 from Toulouse towards Narbonne on the 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. range. The A9 to reach Narbonne from Orange should also be congested for a good part of the afternoon (from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Finally, for those who have planned to go to Italy via the Mont-Blanc tunnel (N205), the forecasts announce quite chaotic traffic throughout the day (from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.).
Bison Futé forecasts for the Ascension weekend. Colors day by day
The site in charge of road information thus forecasts very dense traffic in the direction of departures, from the middle of the week.
- Wednesday, May 17, 2023: red in the direction of departures, green in the direction of returns.
- Thursday, May 18, 2023: red in the direction of departures, green in the direction of returns.
- Friday May 19, 2023: green in the direction of departures, green in the direction of returns.
- Saturday May 20, 2023: green in the direction of departures, green in the direction of returns.
- Sunday May 21, 2023: green in the direction of departures, black in the direction of returns.
What traffic this Wednesday, May 17, 2023 according to Bison Futé? Detailed forecasts
- Leave Ile-de-France and major cities before 12 p.m.
- Avoid the A10 between Paris and Tours from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Avoid the A11 between Paris and Angers from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Avoid the A13 between Paris and Rouen from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Avoid the A7 between Lyon and Orange from 1 p.m. to midnight and between Orange and Marseille from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Avoid the A9 between Orange and Narbonne from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Avoid the A61 between Toulouse and Narbonne from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Avoid the Mont-Blanc tunnel (N205) from France to Italy from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
What traffic this Thursday, May 18, 2023 according to Bison Futé? Detailed forecasts
- Leave Ile-de-France before 7 a.m.
- Avoid the A10 between Paris and Tours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Avoid the A1 between Paris and Lille from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Avoid the A13 between Paris and Caen from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Avoid the A7 between Lyon and Orange from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Avoid the A9 between Montpellier and Spain from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Avoid the A61 between Toulouse and Narbonne from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Avoid the Mont-Blanc tunnel (N205) from France to Italy from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What traffic this Sunday, May 21, 2023 according to Bison Futé? Detailed forecasts
- Reach or cross Ile-de-France and major cities before 12 p.m.
- Avoid the A10 between Bordeaux and Paris from 11 a.m. to midnight
- Avoid the A11 between Nantes and Paris from 9 a.m. to midnight
- Avoid the A13 between Caen and Paris from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Avoid the A7 between Marseille and Lyon from 9 a.m. to midnight
- Avoid the A9 between Spain and Orange from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and between Montpellier and Orange from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Avoid the A61 between Narbonne and Toulouse from 11 a.m. to midnight
- Avoid the Mont-Blanc tunnel (N205) from Italy to France from 11 a.m. to midnight