Nachtrijders

Every summer there is a mass holiday immigration of Dutch people going to the south of France using the famous 'Autoroute du soleil'. This is the fastest, shortest, but also busiest route crossing France from North to South.

To avoid traffic and high temperatures many people choose to travel by night, driving up to 12 hours straight with only some small pit stops along the way. During these stops they drink some coffee, stretch their legs and walk the dogs for just a few minutes.
In some cases people also take a nap for a few hours before they get behind the wheel again. Most of the time this means there is only one (determent) driver available within the family. The naps take place in the car most of the times, but because of the heat and discomfort people also decide to sleep outside with a blanket.

Remarkable situations also occur when (Dutch) Muslims have their prayers every three hours. They choose to do there ritual anywhere suitable within a short range of the car.

The photographs we're taken between 09-07-2010 and 18-07-2010.
The series was published in a special summer issue of NRC Weekblad on July 31 2010. This day is officially 'black Saturday' because of the long traffic jams, caused by tourists in France.