We are doing this route at Whitsun. We have done this route numerous times in the past at this time and have always used the Autoroutes. We have never really experienced any traffic problems. You will probably see a few more vehicles when travelling round the ring roads but that is about it. Looking at our routes I think this year we will not follow the "A" road past Niort and exit at Saintes. We will probably come off the A road, a few junctions after Nantes ring road,and follow the N road past La Rochelle and Rochefort into Royan.