Route du Soleil and school holidays in Europe

Which towns and villages are located along the Route du Soleil?

The Route du Soleil is the well-known motorway route from the north to the south of France (mainly the A6 and A7), and passes through several large and smaller cities that are ideal as a stopover or place of interest. Especially if you have set aside several days to go to your holiday home in the South of France, you can make good use of this. Below, you can read some recommendations.
Metz is one of the greenest cities in France. You will find beautiful parks and the impressive Saint-Étienne cathedral.
Nancy is known for its Art Nouveau style and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Place Stanislas. The town has beautiful squares and delicious local specialties such as quiche lorraine.
Dijon, capital of Burgundy, is known for its beautiful historic city center, mustard and Burgundian cuisine.
Beaune is the heart of the Burgundy wine region and one of the most beautiful stopovers along the route. Guests can enjoy wine tastings, visit the historic Hospices de Beaune and stroll through the charming old town.
Chalon-sur-Saône is picturesquely located on the Saône and is less known than other cities on this list. Thanks to this, this city is wonderfully quiet. We recommend visiting the historic center, relaxing on one of the many cozy terraces by the water and exploring the photography museum.
Lyon is the largest city along the route, famous for its gastronomy and historic district. When driving in Lyon you are required to have a Crit’Air sticker, the anti-pollution vehicle sticker for driving in certain regions in France.
Valence is seen as the gateway to the south. The city offers a lively center with terraces, historic buildings and the beautiful Jouvet Park. Valence is ideal for a relaxing break before driving the last stretch to the Mediterranean Sea.
Many know Montélimar for its nougat. This town also has a beautiful Aire de service which makes it a popular stop for families.
Orange is a city with a rich Roman past, including a well-preserved amphitheater.
Avignon is famous for the Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon. The historic center exudes southern French atmosphere and offers plenty of opportunities for a cultural stop or a good meal.
Nîmes is a beautiful city known for its Roman monuments such as the amphitheatre and the Maison Carrée.
Marseille is a large port city on the Mediterranean Sea and the end point for many travellers on the Route du Soleil. Others continue towards the Côte d'Azur.

School holidays

Route du Soleil (A6/A7) is the best-known and busiest motorway for holiday traffic to the south of France and Spain in the summer months. During the summer holidays, there are some weekends when traffic is extremely busy, especially due to the mass departure and return of holidaymakers. The crowds on the Route du Soleil coincide with the summer holidays in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France itself. In these weeks, car traffic on the A7/A9 will increase by an average of 50% compared to June. The summer holidays for most French school students will start on Friday, July 4, 2025. Many French people leave on holiday that weekend, which immediately causes the first major traffic jams. The group that goes on holiday in July, the "juillettistes", ensure packed roads during the first half of July. At the end of July and the beginning of August, the "aoûtiens", the holidaymakers of August, go on holiday, which again causes crowds.
Most people plan their holidays from Saturday to Saturday, making Saturday structurally the busiest day on European roads. Due to more flexible working and staggered holidays, the crowds have also spread over Fridays and Sundays in recent years, but Saturdays remain the busiest.

Black Saturdays, busiest days in 2025

What are the 5 biggest bottlenecks on the Route du Soleil?

Lyon: The biggest bottleneck on the Route du Soleil with traffic jams of 100-150 km, especially on the ring roads and connections around Lyon.
Paris: Especially the Boulevard Périphérique and the connections to the south.
A6 (Paris – Lyon): At Chalon-sur-Saône at the junction with the A7.
A7 (Lyon – Orange): Between Lyon and Orange at the junctions and toll booths.
A9 (Orange – Spanish border): There are also often traffic jams on this southern extension of the route. Cities like Lyon have many speed traps, including at night, which  can result in a traffic fine. Also think about whether you require an anti-pollution vehicle sticker of France, you can order it via FranceComfort.

Toll fees on the Route du Soleil

The total toll you pay on the Route du Soleil depends on the route, but for a one-way journey with a passenger car (class 1) you can assume the following amounts:
Route Paris – Marseille (approx. 775 km): Approximately €80 in toll.
Dijon – Marseille route: Approximately €60 to €65 in toll. The price may be slightly higher if you take a caravan or trailer with you, as they fall into a higher vehicle class and therefore you will need to pay a higher rate.
Average rate: The toll rate for a passenger car is around €0.10 per kilometre.
Payment: You can pay tolls with a toll badge, credit card or cash at the toll booths.

7 tips when refuelling along the Route du Soleil

Don't fill up at the last stations before the French border - These gas stations are often very busy, with long queues. We recommend refuelling at the first gas station just across the Belgian-Luxembourg border; it is usually cheaper, quieter and there are less queues.  
Cheap fuel in Luxembourg - Fuel is considerably cheaper in Luxembourg than in France or Belgium. Therefore, plan a refuelling stop in Luxembourg before entering France.
Avoid refuelling directly on the highway - Fuel along French motorways (péage) is more expensive than at petrol stations in villages or on regional roads. Unmanned gas stations outside the highway are often the cheapest.
Use route planners for current prices - With a Route Planner or other apps, you can view petrol stations and current fuel prices along your route. This way you can consciously choose the cheapest petrol station.
Plan your stops wisely - Popular gas stations and rest stops can be overcrowded during peak season. Try to schedule your refuelling sessions at less busy times and not wait until your tank is running low.
Electric driving - Fast charging points for electric cars are now available at many large rest stops along the Route du Soleil, for example at Aire de la Chaponne and Aire de Jugy.
Bring plenty of food and drink - During busy periods, waiting times at gas stations can increase. Therefore, make sure you always have something to eat and drink with you in case you have to wait.

What are the main car routes in France?

France has an extensive network of motorways (autoroutes), indicated by an A-number. In addition to the famous Route du Soleil, there are several other important car routes that criss-cross the country and connect major cities and regions. Some main car routes and their nicknames.

 
In addition to the main car routes, there are also famous panoramic routes, such as:
Route Napoléon (N85): From Golfe-Juan on the Côte d'Azur to Grenoble, along Napoleon's historic route.
Route des Grandes Alpes (D902): Through the Alps from Lake Geneva to the seaside resorts of Provence on the Mediterranean Sea, passing spectacular mountain passes.