Paris authorities have now limited traffic through a major central zone, where drivers are restricted from traversing the city’s central four arrondissements. Police have issued warnings, informing drivers of potential fines for violating these new rules, which will officially be enforced by spring.
Known as the “limited traffic zone” (ZTL), this area houses around 100,000 residents and 11,000 businesses. The restriction, spearheaded by Mayor Anne Hidalgo, aligns with Paris’s larger campaign to curtail car traffic, enhance air quality, and promote public transit and cycling.
The ZTL includes iconic landmarks like the Louvre and the Tuileries gardens within its 5.5 square kilometers. Access remains for emergency services, residents, those with medical appointments, or those heading to specific destinations within the zone. Mayor Ariel Weil highlighted this transition as “an important step” for reducing and streamlining traffic, with an initial educational phase lasting three to six months.
City statistics show that between 350,000 and 500,000 vehicles enter the ZTL daily, with nearly half estimated as through-traffic simply passing through. This policy is expected to cut traffic by up to 30% on busy routes such as Boulevard de Sébastopol, resulting in improved air quality and quieter streets.
Enforcement will depend on clear signage and random police checks due to numerous exceptions, rather than extensive CCTV. Since 2021, Paris police and city officials have been negotiating the scope of the project, with the police co-signing the official city hall decree last Thursday.
Under Mayor Hidalgo’s leadership, Paris has prioritized reducing car use, developing extensive cycling infrastructure and hiking parking fees to discourage inner-city driving. Many drivers have voiced frustration with these measures as car access and space have been increasingly limited across major Parisian streets.
