Driving in and around Paris during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will inevitably be complex, and there will be changes to safety measures and new regulations. For this reason, drivers planning to travel by car to the Games, or whose travel itinerary to their summer destinations passes through the Île -de-France region, are advised to consider these circumstances when planning their journeys. In this sense, between 26 July and 11 August, average journey times may double or even triple. French roads will be severely affected by the Games due to increased security measures and the expected 15 million visitors. The European Consumer Centre in Spain, in cooperation with the European Consumer Centre in France, provides a brief overview of the traffic rules in the neighbouring country during the Olympic Games.
Three security zones in Paris during the Olympic Gamess
France has defined 3 levels of security, each with different implications for vehicles:
- BLUE Zone: Some access will be available with restrictions. Private vehicles will not be allowed in this zone. Taxis, rental vehicles, buses and persons with parking permits (with the appropriate documentation) will be allowed.
- RED Zone: Almost all traffic will be prohibited. No private vehicles, rental vehicles or buses will be allowed. Only taxis carrying a person authorised by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and citizens with residence permits with proof of residence will be allowed to enter this zone.
- GREY Zone: The grey zones are the most restrictive zones. These zones are very close to the venues hosting competitions and will require a security check to enter. No vehicles of any kind (not even motorised vehicles such as bicycles or scooters) will be allowed to enter.
Practical advice: Before travelling, you should check what kind of areas you will be driving through, what vehicles will be allowed to drive through them, any traffic restrictions, as well as the safety level of the planned itinerary. These checks should be made on the day of travel as security measures may change from one day to the next. If you are going to a competition in Paris, try to decide in advance which means of transport to use, and opt for the one that will take you as close to your destination as possible. To do this, you can consult the online maps provided by the Paris police, as well as the table below:
Blue zone | Red zone | Grey zone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bicycles and scooters | Yes | Yes | No |
| Taxis | Yes | Yes (with personal authorisation) | No |
| Other rental vehicles | Yes | No | No |
| Bus | Yes | No | No |
| Private vehicles | No | No | No |
| Resident vehicles | Yes (with proof) | Yes (with proof) | No |
Lanes reserved for accredited citizens
Certain roads in Paris and Île -de-France will be designated as special "Olympic lanes". These reserved lanes will be activated from 15 July to 11 September and can only be used by persons accredited by the International Olympic Committee. Major motorways may also be designated as "Olympic lanes", for example the A1 between Porte de la Chapelle and Aéroport Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (both directions) or the A13 between Boulogne and Porte d'Auteuil (both directions). A full list of affected roads can be found here:
Parking fees and tolls in Paris
Parking rates vary according to the type of vehicle. Vehicles other than off-road vehicles will be charged at the normal rates: 6 euros per hour for the first two hours in the city centre (districts 1-12) and 4 euros per hour in the outlying districts (numbered 12 to 20). The rates for off-road vehicles will be significantly higher. Thus, for vehicles weighing more than 1.6 tonnes, the rate will be 18 euros per hour for the first two hours in the central districts and 12 euros per hour in the outlying districts. Electric vehicles will pay only if they weigh more than two tonnes. It should be noted that the rates increase every hour; for example, a six-hour stay with an off-road vehicle will cost 225 euros in a central district.
As far as tolls are concerned, vehicles are classified into 5 categories, each with its own tariffs. For example, category 1 cars ("light" vehicles under 2m) will pay a standard rate of 16 euros on the A1 motorway. To check which category the vehicle belongs to, please click on the following link:
Classification of vehicles on French motorways - ASFA (autoroutes.fr)
Tip: If you are staying in a hotel in Paris, check whether it has its own car park. They are sometimes more affordable and convenient than parking on the street. To get around the rest of the city by public transport, see this article published by the European Consumer Centre in France on the different transport options in the French capital: Public transport in Paris during the Olympic and Paralympic Games (europe-consommateurs.eu)
Key dates
The implementation phase of the traffic rules for the Paris Olympic Games will start from March until July 2024. Restrictions will not be uniform or continuous and different levels of restrictions will be in place for each date. Several days of traffic disruption are foreseen in July 2024 to allow the city to prepare the bridges for the opening ceremony. A blue and a red perimeter will be activated several days before the ceremony, although the most restrictive zones will generally be activated "a few hours before the start of the competitions".
Tip: Due to the complexity and changes that can occur in traffic rules and security measures, it is recommended to consult this interactive map where safety zones and "Olympic lanes" are updated hourly:
La carte interactive des impacts sur les déplacements en Île-de-France | Anticiper les Jeux
Further information in: 2024 Olympic Games (europe-consommateurs.eu).