Travelers in Paris and the Île-de-France region are advised to brace for significant traffic congestion this Wednesday, December 24, 2025, according to Bison Futé, the national road traffic information service. The agency has labeled Christmas Eve as the “busiest day” of the holiday season, expecting a surge in travel demand.
Congestion to Begin Mid-Morning
The traffic is anticipated to be particularly heavy for those departing the Île-de-France region, which has been classified as “red” on Bison Futé’s traffic forecast map. “Numerous trips are expected from mid-morning onwards. The combination of last-minute Christmas Eve preparations, daily commutes, and journeys to festive locations could lead to very intense traffic,” stated Bison Futé.
The slowdowns are projected to start around mid-morning and continue until early evening. Drivers should expect significant delays, especially on major routes leading out of the capital. Specifically, high traffic volumes are predicted for routes heading towards the Normandy coast (A13), the Atlantic coast (A10, A11), the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (A7, Lyon East bypass, A42, A43), and the axes serving the Mediterranean arc (A8, A9).
Recommendations for Travelers
Given the forecast, Bison Futé recommends that motorists planning to travel on Christmas Eve consider adjusting their schedules or exploring alternative transportation methods to avoid peak congestion. Early departures or postponing non-essential travel could help mitigate the impact of the expected delays.
The heavy traffic is attributed to a confluence of factors: last-minute holiday shopping, individuals commuting to work, and those traveling to join family and friends for Christmas celebrations. This annual pre-Christmas rush typically places immense pressure on the region’s road network.
Impact on Regional Travel
The Île-de-France region, as a major hub, experiences increased outbound traffic during holiday periods. The classification of the region as “red” signifies severe traffic difficulties and suggests that travel times will be significantly extended. Local authorities and traffic management services will be closely monitoring the situation throughout the day.
Motorists are encouraged to stay updated with real-time traffic information from Bison Futé or other reliable sources before embarking on their journeys. The goal is to ensure that everyone can reach their destinations safely and with as little stress as possible during this busy festive period.
Source: https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/paris_75056/ce-mercredi-24-decembre-sera-la-journee-la-plus-chargee-de-noel-sur-les-routes-de-paris-et-d-ile-de-france_63616048.html
