Starting this week, drivers will no longer be able to cruise through the heart of Paris. The city’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo, has set up a new "Limited Traffic Zone" (ZTL) covering about five square kilometres, including iconic areas like the Louvre and Avenue de l’Opéra. This zone is part of Hidalgo’s decade-long campaign to reduce car traffic and pollution in Paris, a move that mirrors similar policies in cities like Milan and Rome.
For the next six months, drivers breaking the rules will get a warning, but starting May 2025, fines of €135 (about £114) will kick in. The ZTL will be in effect 24/7, allowing only certain vehicles—like local residents, buses, taxis, and emergency vehicles—free access. Even electric and hybrid cars aren’t exempt unless they’re going to a specific destination within the zone, such as a job, doctor’s appointment, or movie.
While around 350,000 to 550,000 cars pass through central Paris daily, officials estimate that 70% of these are “convenience” trips that add unnecessary air and noise pollution. By limiting traffic, Paris hopes to see a 30% reduction in cars, making the city centre more pedestrian-friendly and less polluted.
Hidalgo has pushed hard on her anti-car agenda since 2014, recently lowering the speed limit on the Périphérique ring road and banning diesel sales at several city fuel stations. She’s also raised parking fees, especially for larger vehicles like SUVs, which can now cost around £190 to park for six hours in central Paris.
The changes might be inconvenient for drivers, but for residents and visitors, they could mean cleaner air and less noise in one of Europe’s most popular destinations. And as London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan looks at similar ideas, these policies might not be limited to Paris for long.
