Greater Paris low-emission zone (ZFE)

The Greater Paris ZFE covers 77 communes inside the A86 ring motorway, including all of Paris (with the Périphérique and the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes). The A86 itself is outside the zone, so you can use it to drive around.

Since 1 January 2025, cars with Crit'Air 3, 4, 5 and unclassified vehicles are banned (roughly: diesel registered before 1 January 2011, petrol before 1 January 2006). Allowed: Crit'Air 0 (electric), 1 and 2.

Hours for cars, vans and motorbikes: Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00, not on public holidays. Evenings, weekends and public holidays are free.

A Crit'Air sticker is required for every vehicle in the zone during restriction hours, even when parked, foreign vehicles included. Foreign drivers order it online only at certificat-air.gouv.fr ("véhicule immatriculé à l'étranger"): EUR 5.11 delivered abroad (EUR 3.85 in France); allow several weeks.

Pass ZFE 24h: up to 24 full days (00:00-23:59) per year. Register the vehicle at least 15 days before first use and declare each day at least 24 h ahead (derogation-zfe.metropolegrandparis.fr). Whether foreign vehicles can get it: check the official website.

During pollution peaks the Préfecture de police can impose stricter all-day restrictions (Crit'Air 0-2 only, passes suspended).

Before you leave: 1) check your registration certificate for the first registration date, fuel type and Euro norm to estimate your Crit'Air class; 2) order the sticker at certificat-air.gouv.fr ("véhicule immatriculé à l'étranger") and allow several weeks for delivery; 3) check the hours on the Métropole's official website.

For a Christmas market at the weekend the restriction does not apply (Monday-Friday 08:00-20:00 only), but the sticker is still advised. On weekdays, a non-compliant car must stop before the A86.

Only order on the official site certificat-air.gouv.fr: the official price is EUR 5.11 for abroad. Be wary of paid intermediary websites.

Simple alternative: leave the car at an Île-de-France Mobilités Parking Relais at an RER/Transilien station outside the A86, or come by train (Paris-Nord, Paris-Est, Paris-Gare de Lyon).