Practical

Getting around by car, car parks and parking

It is not always easy to drive in Paris or find a parking spot; in fact it can be quite a headache.

Traffic

Just a few reminders: in France you drive on the right; safety belts are compulsory in both the front and back seats; it is prohibited to sound your horn; and remember to come equipped with your international Green Card insurance. For motorbikes and scooters, the wearing of helmets is compulsory for both drivers and passengers. In the city, it is against the law to use the bus lanes.

Speed limits:

  • In Paris : urban areas: 30 km/h (19mph), sometimes 50 km/h (30mph) ; ring roads: 50 km/h (31 mph)
  • In France : main roads: 80km/h (50mph) or 90 km/h (56mph); motorways: 130 km/h (80mph) and 110 km/h (68mph) in wet weather

Service stations

There are a few service stations within Paris and you will inevitably find some on the way in to the city.

Parking in the city, in the street

In the street

If you decide to park in the street, please note that as a general rule it is payable from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm. Night time and Sundays are free. On public holidays you can sometimes park free of charge in certain streets: this is indicated by a yellow sticker placed on the parking meter. Tariffs are divided into 2 zones, ranging from an hourly rate of €6 in the centre of Paris (1st to 11th arrondissements), to €4 per hour from the 12th to 20th arrondissements). If you pay for parking at parking meters, the machine will give you a ticket in exchange, which should be placed behind your windscreen, clearly visible from the outside. Street parking is limited to a 2-hour duration. You can use a credit card or the PaybyPhone, ParkNow, Flowbird apps. Parking campers or motor-homes in Paris should be avoided, so as not to block traffic. Instead you should head for the designated parking spaces at camp sites. In Paris, it is prohibited to sleep in your vehicule.

parking in Paris in pictures

Petite voiture noire en stationnement
Parking souterrain © DR
Yespark - Application parking 4 - 2024
Indigo - Parking entrée extérieure - 2024

Underground car parks

Underground car parks, of which there are many in Paris, are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for cars. Some car parks are open for motorbikes too. They can be identified by a white “P” on a blue background, and can usually be found in busy shopping, tourist or business areas. Security is provided by guards and cameras. Tariffs vary depending on the neighbourhood. Underground car parks can also offer special tariffs for the weekend or by the week or month. On the way in to the car park, you press a button to obtain a ticket and open the barrier. You can make your way out via the pedestrian exit. On your return, insert your card into one of the machines in order to pay before collecting your vehicle. Once you have paid, the machine will return your ticket to you, and all you have to do is insert it at the exit to open the barrier.

Saemes

Saemes manages more than 63 car parks and is the second largest parking operator in the Ile-de-France region. In Paris you can choose between 20 public car parks that offer hourly parking close to top sights : The Quai Branly-Eiffel Tower car park, under the museum, Lagrange-Maubert Notre-Dame car park to discover the Latin Quarter...... See the complete list of SAEMES car parks. You can also take advantage of a number of services: you can have your vehicle cleaned, pay with a Total GR card, access a break-down kit, helmet lockers for motorised two-wheelers and even book your parking space in advance!

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Yespark - Easy car park rental

Yespark is a solution that makes it quick and easy to reserve an underground parking space at an attractive price for all types of vehicle (cars, bikes, motorbikes). Available in Paris and throughout France, by the hour or for longer periods, this service is without obligation and available 7 days a week thanks to the Yespark application. For electric cars, Yespark ReCharge offers places with recharging stations. A range of high-end parking spaces for classic or sports cars is also available.

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Indigo - World leader in parking

INDIGO, the world leader in parking and mobility, operates nearly 100 car parks in Paris and the Ile-de-France region. Find your parking space in just a few clicks and book in advance by logging on to the Indigo Neo application. Take advantage of our many services: electric recharging points, Total GR card payment, Cyclopark, etc.

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Car park at private residence

Casapark - Private parking

Casapark offre la possibilité aux visiteurs circulant en voiture de garer leur véhicule chez un particulier ou sur des emplacements privés. L’offre couvre Paris et la France entière. Les tarifs sont très attractifs. La réservation s’effectue sur le site internet de Casapark en toute simplicité. Casapark offers visitors travelling by car the opportunity to park their vehicle with a private individual or in private parking spaces. The service covers Paris and the whole of France. Rates are very attractive. Reservations can be made easily via the Casapark website.

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Prendsmaplace

Park at a lower cost and in complete safety with Prendsmaplace, directly with a private individual! Take advantage of a parking space rental by the day, week or month in different arrondissements of Paris. Find a space near the Gare de l'Est, Gare du Nord, Gare Montparnasse and Gare d'Austerlitz, or opt for secure, private parking near Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle or Orly airports, and save up to 50% compared to public rates.

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Paris Attitude vélo

Getting around differently: opt for the bicycle in Paris

In Paris, the bicycle is establishing itself as a fluid and ecological alternative to the car. With its numerous cycle paths and traffic-calmed zones, the capital makes it easy for you to get around while offering you an immersive experience in the heart of the city.

Whether you are visiting or living here, bicycle hire is a practical solution for avoiding traffic jams and enjoying Paris in complete freedom. Adopt a more sustainable mode of transport and experience the city in a different way!

RENT A BIKE IN PARIS

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