Toussaint traffic in France: the hours to avoid on the roads from 30 October to 1 November

Toussaint traffic in France will be heavy from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, the last weekend of the autumn school holidays. Bison Futé, the French government’s official road traffic service, has published its forecasts. Friday is the hardest day, because holiday departures meet returning traffic. On Saturday and Sunday, the pressure shifts mainly to the Paris region. Here are the hours to avoid, road by road, and our tips for a calmer journey.

Toussaint traffic France: why is Friday 30 October the toughest day?

Toussaint, or All Saints’ Day, is a French public holiday on 1 November. In 2026, it falls on a Sunday, so there is no extra day off. As a result, many families squeeze their journeys into these three days.

Friday combines several flows. First, many holidaymakers drive home before the weekend. Second, others leave for one last short break. Finally, normal commuter traffic adds to the load around big cities. According to Bison Futé forecasts reported in the French press, Friday is rated orange, meaning difficult, in both directions across the country. You can read the details on the official Bison Futé forecast page (in French).

Road at night during Toussaint traffic in France — Driving early in the morning or late in the evening reduces the risk of jams. Photo: Jametlene Reskp / Unsplash

Which hours should you avoid on Friday when leaving?

To leave or cross the Île-de-France region, which surrounds Paris, Bison Futé advises setting off before 10am or after 9pm. On the main motorways, these are the times to avoid:

A1 Paris to Lille: 1pm to 7pm;
A2 from the A1 junction to Belgium: 2pm to 8pm;
RN12 Rennes to Brest: 4pm to 8pm;
A10 Poitiers to Bordeaux: 12pm to 7pm;
A63 Bordeaux to Bayonne: 4pm to 7pm;
A7 Lyon to Orange: 3pm to 6pm;
A75 Clermont-Ferrand to Béziers: 4pm to 8pm.

Toussaint traffic France: the return journey on Friday

For return trips, it is best to reach or cross the Paris region before 2pm or after 7pm. In addition, several regional routes will be busy in the late afternoon:

A1 Lille to Paris: 4pm to 7pm;
A2 from Belgium to the A1 junction: 4pm to 9pm;
A4 Metz to Reims: 3pm to 5pm;
RN165 Quimper to Nantes: 3pm to 7pm;
A10 Bordeaux to Poitiers: 4pm to 7pm;
A50 Toulon to Marseille: 3pm to 8pm;
A46 and RN346, the eastern Lyon bypass: 12pm to 7pm.

Multi-lane motorway before Toussaint traffic in France — Motorways into Paris remain the most sensitive on Sunday. Photo: Korng Sok / Unsplash

What does Bison Futé expect for Saturday and Sunday?

Saturday 31 October

On Saturday, departures should flow freely, according to the forecasts reported in the press. However, return traffic will be dense in the Paris region all afternoon, especially on the A10. Therefore, Bison Futé recommends entering or crossing the region before 1pm or after 8pm.

Sunday 1 November

On Sunday, traffic will be heavy from early afternoon on the A6 and A10 until early evening. Moreover, the A13 will be very busy from mid-afternoon. Queues are also likely at toll barriers. So, aim to reach or cross the Paris region before 11am or after 10pm.

How can you travel more calmly this weekend?

A few simple habits help. First, check the Bison Futé website just before leaving, as it shows incidents and roadworks in real time. Next, if you can, move a Friday afternoon departure to Saturday morning.

Also, take a break every two hours, especially at night, because the clocks have just gone back to winter time. If you travel by train, keep your tickets in case of delays. French-speaking readers can find more in our French version of this guide. You may also enjoy our Bordeaux Christmas market guide for your next trip.

Country road in autumn during Toussaint traffic in France — Minor roads can relieve the motorways but often add time to the journey. Photo: DAT VO / Unsplash

Toussaint traffic France: key takeaways

Friday 30 October: rated orange in both directions, according to reported forecasts;
Paris region on Friday: leave before 10am or after 9pm, return before 2pm or after 7pm;
Saturday 31 October: dense return traffic around Paris, especially on the A10, avoid 1pm to 8pm;
Sunday 1 November: A6, A10 and A13 busy in the afternoon, travel before 11am or after 10pm;
Check live road conditions on Bison Futé before you set off.

Sources: Bison Futé, forecasts for 30 October to 1 November 2026, accessed 29 October 2026; Économie Matin, article of 28 October 2026 on Bison Futé’s Toussaint forecasts. Featured photo: Andréas BRUN / Unsplash.