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I'm looking to drive to Spain for a 2 week holiday next summer. Ideally, I'm looking to set off on a Saturday at the end of July or a Saturday in August. Now, I am aware that French holiday makers head for the south of France around the same time but I'm trying to work out exactly when so that I can avoid the traffic.

Do the French holidays literally start the first weekend of August in which case I can set off in July or am I better off leaving the 2nd Saturday of France? What about coming back - which weekend or weekends should I avoid?

Any advice will be gratefully received.

I thought the worst was 1st Sat in August? we went this year on the 24th July and didn't hit any problems heading south, the other year we went 3rd Aug or similar and hit heavy traffic from paris southwards.

This year we did hit heavy toll queues heading home on the A8 around Brignolles in the south, but nothing from Lyon northwards.

used to be last weekend in july and first in august   now it is every weekend in july and then august although after august 15th things settle a bit  the majority of the french hols are over but the rentree has not yet started so the kids are still off  aand families will hit the road at every opportunity  as in brit really  just look at the bookings on caravan club sites for weekends   

if you go during the week there are more lorries about but fewer holiday makeers   you takes your chance     weekdays are always my chosen days   you even get 5 to chpoose from and not just 2    but get away early on a friday