Bordeaux, Paris, Marseille… Traffic jams punctuate the daily lives of French motorists. What are the real numbers behind these endless slowdowns, and above all, why are some cities sinking deeper into congestion? Here is a decryption based on the most recent data. THE January 9, 2025the results of the last Traffic Index 2024 of TomTom have been revealed. This annual study, based on data from more than 600 million GPS devices, paints a worrying portrait of traffic in major French cities. Bordeaux sadly rises to the top of the most congested cities, dethroning Paris. This classification, which is based on rigorous methodologies, raises questions about the root causes of these traffic jams, their impacts on residents, and the solutions envisaged.
Bordeaux: champion of traffic jams due to works
According to the Traffic Index 2024, Bordeaux now occupies first place among the most congested cities in France. On average, a Bordeaux motorist passed 113 hours per year in traffic jamsor almost five days. Today we need 31 minutes to cover 10 kilometers in this city, compared to only 23 minutes five years ago.
Main causes:
- Rapid urbanization : The Bordeaux population has increased significantly in recent years, generating increased pressure on existing infrastructure.
- Major works : The modernization of public transport and the redevelopment of the city center have reduced road capacity.
- Lack of alternatives : Although trips by public transport have increased by 8% and trips by bicycle by 4%, the car remains the preferred means of transport.
Criticism is also raised against municipal management. Some elected officials believe that policies favoring soft mobility have come at the expense of automobile fluidity.
Paris and Marseille: metropolises trapped in congestion
Despite a reduction in maximum speed to 50 km/h on the ring road in October 2024, Paris retains its second place in the ranking. With 101 hours lost in traffic jams per year, Parisians pay the price of their urban density. However, this relative stagnation is attributed to initiatives such as:
- The pedestrianization of certain areas.
- The development of cycle paths.
- The implementation of ZFE (Low Emission Zones) to limit access to polluting vehicles.
Ranked third, Marseille suffers from its hilly geography and a historically undersized road network. Residents report a lack of reliable public transport connections, exacerbating car dependence. The average time to cover 10 km is 27 minutes, constantly increasing.
Other cities in the viewfinder
According to TomTom, cities like Nice, Nanteset Lyon complete the ranking of the most congested areas. Here is a summary table of the average times to travel 10 km in 2024:
| Ville | Average duration (min) | Hours lost/year |
|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux | 31 | 113 |
| Paris | 29 | 101 |
| Marseille | 27 | 94 |
| Nice | 26 | 88 |
| Nantes | 25 | 81 |
Medium-sized cities like Clermont-Ferrand or Orléans They are also beginning to feel the effects of rapid urbanization and the growth of automobile traffic.
What solutions to relieve congestion on the roads?
Several cities are considering or already implementing initiatives to limit traffic jams:
- Bordeaux : Completion of the motorway bypass, development of new tram lines and encouragement for the use of electric bicycles.
- Paris : Extension of pedestrian zones, strengthening of public transport, and tightening of ZFEs.
- Marseille : Improvement in the frequency of buses and trams, and widening of parking areas to reduce cars in the city center.
However, these measures are struggling to convince residents, who denounce high costs and slow implementation.
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