Although some unclear areas regarding the circuit still remain, there will be many changes in Paris from October 1st. Don’t be surprised.
New ring parking rates and speeds: changes await motorists and cyclists traveling in Paris from October 1. Despite lively debates surrounding the speed reduction on the ring road, Paris City Hall is implementing its decision.
Going from 70 km/h to 50 km/h will not happen in one day, as pointed out in an article in Le Parisien of 30 September.
Gradual passage of the circuit at a speed of 50 km/h
It will be necessary to wait until October 10 for the display of the 50 km/h speed limit sign on the entire circuit. Each night a new section will be equipped with new speed limit signs. This will lead to overnight closures on these stretches, but Ile-de-France residents are already used to the exercise. 160 panels need to be replaced. The first of the six sections of the circuit will swing at a speed of 50 km/h on the night of September 30 to October 1. Here is the program set by Paris City Hall:
- October 1: from Porte des Lilas to Porte d’Orléans (inner circuit)
- October 2: from Porte d’Orléans to Porte Dauphine (inner circuit)
- October 3: Porte de Bagnolet to Porte Maillot (outer ring road)
- October 4: from Porte Dauphine to Porte des Lilas (inner circuit)
- October 9: from Porte Maillot to Porte de Châtillon (outer ring)
- October 10: from Porte Châtillon to Porte de Bagnolet (outer ring road)
These changes may cause some confusion during the first days of implementation. So be extra careful on this trip. Especially since some users might brake suddenly when approaching fixed speed cameras (or even carpool speed cameras).
Will the radars be updated immediately? That’s the big unknown in the equation. As long as the police headquarters is still against the legality of the decision of Paris City Hall, radars should only flash above 70 km/h. But this can change suddenly, pay attention to your license points.
Parking in Paris: increase in prices for heavy cars
The application of the new parking rate for vehicles considered heavy is also from 1ᵉʳ October 2024. This rate increase for surface parking only applies to visitors whose car exceeds the specified weight:
- More than 1,600 kg for railcars
- More than 2,000 kg for electric and low-emission (hybrid) cars
This information is available on your registration certificate (grey card) in field G.
The fate of hybrid vehicles must be decided by Paris City Hall in October. Meanwhile, they are classified as electric vehicles.
For these vehicles, the prices become:
- From the 1st to the 11th arrondissement: EUR 18 per hour,
- From the 12th to the 20th arrondissement: EUR 12 per hour.
Please note that electric vehicles weighing less than 2 tonnes can use free parking.
The amount of parking fees (parking fines) also increases for “heavy” vehicles:
| FPS | Area 1 | Zone 2 and forests |
| Normal price | €225 | €150 |
| Reduced price | €157.50 | €105 |
Parking electric two-wheeler: greater simplicity
As of October, pre-registration is no longer required to use free parking for electric bikes. For electric cars weighing less than 2 tonnes, a free charge applies directly from your registration.
Riding across the line for cyclists
Originally scheduled to end on September 15, the inter-row experiment in the Paris region has been extended until December 31, 2024. This is certainly the only good news for motorcyclists this autumn, however, it should be remembered that this experiment involves a certain number of rules that are must be respected.
Unfortunately, by going 50 km/h, the Paris circuit normally escapes the axes where interfile is allowed in the experiment. However, the practice is unlikely to stop. Recommendations for two-wheelers, watch out for the speed limit change on the circuit. During the month of October, the risk of accidents will increase, with all vehicles adapting to the new 50 km/h limits.