Widespread farmer protests are causing significant travel disruptions across southwestern France as agricultural unions demonstrate against economic pressures and government policies. Multiple highways, including the A64, A63, and A75, are partially or fully blocked, impacting travel plans during the busy holiday season [[1]]. The Coordination Rurale is maintaining roadblocks and, in a striking turn, even organizing Christmas Eve services for those stranded by the ongoing demonstrations [[2]].Travelers in the affected regions are advised to check conditions and expect delays [[3]].
🔵 Highway A64 Remains Closed Near Soumoulou…
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A major transportation artery connecting Toulouse and Bayonne remains partially closed Wednesday morning between Soumoulou and Briscous in both directions. Traffic is currently flowing between Soumoulou and Carbonne. Entrances and exits at Tarbes-Ouest are also affected, with restoration efforts underway Wednesday morning, as are access points at Lannemezan, Capvern, and Tournay. Exit 13 (Séméac) of the A64 highway also remains closed.
The disruptions are being maintained by the Coordination Rurale, an agricultural union, which is even organizing Christmas Eve services open to the public around 10:30 p.m. in the Basque Country and Pau, with priests volunteering to officiate.
🔵 Roadblocks Established in Southwestern France
Farmers continue to mobilize across southwestern France, establishing roadblocks on the N21 near Pujols in Lot-et-Garonne, and in Louey, in the Hautes-Pyrénées. These actions are part of a broader wave of agricultural protests across the country.
🔵 A63 Blocked South of Bordeaux
The A63 highway, linking Bordeaux and Bayonne, is blocked heading towards Bordeaux between Marcheprime (exit 23) and Cestas (exit 25). Motorists traveling from the Basque Country are being directed to exit at Marcheprime in Gironde. Traffic heading towards Bayonne is flowing with the exception of a short stretch near Cestas.
🔵 A75 Disruptions Between Cantal and Aveyron
The A75 highway, between Saint-Flour (Cantal) and northern Millau (Aveyron), is experiencing significant disruptions due to both snowfall and farmer blockades. In the southbound direction, motorists must exit at interchange 44.1 and continue to interchange 41. Exit 39.1 is also mandatory, with detours via the RN88 and RD806. Northbound traffic is being diverted at interchange 41 to interchange 44.1, with a mandatory exit at N°34. The interchange at Séverac-d’Aveyron (n°42) is closed in both directions.
🔵 RN88 Disrupted in Tarn
The RN88 is currently closed in both directions near Albi (Tarn), at Le Séquestre and Tanus. Detours are in place to manage traffic flow. Similar disruptions are reported towards Aveyron, near Baraqueville. The widespread road closures are impacting travel throughout the region.
