Lyon, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France – February 23, 2026 – Lyon has been identified as France’s most congested city in 2025, according to the latest annual barometer published by TomTom. This unexpected result places the ‘Capital of Gauls’ ahead of historically gridlocked cities like Paris and Bordeaux, marking a significant shift in urban traffic dynamics.
Lyon’s Congestion Index Reaches 47%
TomTom’s analysis, which compares real-time traffic flow to an ideal free-flowing scenario, reveals that Lyon’s congestion index now averages 47%. During peak hours, this figure escalates dramatically, reaching 80% in the mornings and up to 90% in the evenings. This substantial increase is attributed to a year of intensive roadworks and the introduction of a limited traffic zone in the city’s peninsula.
Marine Madelmond, a journalist at Roole Média, confirmed the findings, stating, “The most congested city in France in 2025 is neither Paris nor Bordeaux. It’s Lyon!”
Drivers Lose 121 Hours Annually to Traffic
The direct impact on daily life for Lyon’s motorists is considerable. “A Lyonnais driver making a daily 10 km journey will lose an average of 121 hours per year in traffic jams,” Madelmond explained. This significant time loss is equivalent to making 15 Paris-Marseille car journeys, highlighting the considerable burden on commuters.
Factors Contributing to Increased Congestion
Several key factors have contributed to this deterioration in traffic conditions. The year 2025 saw numerous construction projects around Lyon. Additionally, the implementation of a limited traffic zone in the peninsula since last summer, while intended to reduce vehicle numbers in the city center, has inadvertently diverted traffic to peripheral routes, exacerbating congestion there.
National Traffic Overview: Bordeaux and Montpellier Follow Lyon
Behind Lyon, the national ranking places Bordeaux and Montpellier on the podium. Paris, Marseille, Clermont-Ferrand, Rouen, Nancy, Strasbourg, and Nantes complete the Top 10. While these cities still experience high congestion, their levels have remained stable. Notably, Paris, which has often topped the list in previous years, saw a slight decrease in its index from 44% to 40%. Despite this improvement, Parisian drivers still lose an average of 109 hours annually to traffic.
Methodology of the TomTom Barometer
Each year, the navigation company TomTom analyzes the impact of slowdowns on travel times by comparing actual traffic to a fluid situation. This data generates a congestion index, providing a comprehensive overview of traffic efficiency in urban areas.
Further Information
The full ranking and additional details can be found on the official Roole Média website. The report underscores the ongoing challenges faced by French cities in managing urban mobility and the significant time and economic costs associated with traffic congestion.
Source: https://radio.vinci-autoroutes.com/article/lyon-detrone-bordeaux-et-paris-la-nouvelle-capitale-des-bouchons-en-2025-17464
