France: Driving restrictions in Paris July 24-26 (air pollution)

Event

Driving restrictions will be in effect in the Paris region from Tuesday, July 24, until 23:59 (local time) on Thursday, July 26, in a bid to reduce high levels of air pollution. Only vehicles with “Crit’Air” stickers type 0, 1, 2, or 3 will be permitted to drive in the zone encompassed by the A86 ring road (not including the ring road itself). Drivers of cars with type 4 or 5 stickers will face fines. Additionally, speed limits will be lowered throughout the Île-de-France region.

On these days, full-day public transportation passes (metro, bus, trams, commuter trains) will be available for EUR 3.80 in Île-de-France.

Context

As a reminder, pollution rating stickers - vignettes Crit’Air - became compulsory in 2017 for all registered vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.) driving in or through Paris. The stickers come in six colors/numbers according to the amount of pollutants produced by the vehicle (from green to grey/0 to 5).

On a health-related note, this air pollution could be hazardous to certain groups ‒ e.g. children, seniors, pregnant women, and people suffering from asthma and other respiratory issues. Air pollution can be harmful to heart health and may make it more likely that some people will have a heart attack or stroke.

Advice

Individuals in the Paris region are advised to abide by the instructions issued by the authorities, to expect busier than normal conditions on public transit, and to limit strenuous outdoor activity for health reasons.