Avoid French Autoroutes on Holiday Weekends

The first weekend of August is often referred to as Black Saturday in France due to the extensive road traffic congestion that arises from the annual exodus of Parisian and other urban holiday makers. We even heard a BBC news report that suggested drivers were not allowed to use autoroutes if they were carrying a large number of young children due to the impact  that lengthy delays might have on hydration. Other weekends, especially the last of July and August, are also notorious.