French environmental zones only accessible with a Crit’Air sticker

During your holiday in France, you will undoubtedly have to deal with it: the environmental zones of France. France has introduced environmental zones, or zones à faibles émissions (ZFE), to reduce air pollution in cities and urban areas. In many French cities, there are high concentrations of particulate matter and other harmful substances in the air. By restricting access to the most polluting vehicles, the government wants to reduce the amount of particulate matter (PM) and CO₂ emissions. Poor air quality leads to health problems such as respiratory diseases, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. By promoting cleaner air, the health of residents and visitors is protected. The environmental zones are also intended to limit car traffic in urban centres, which not only benefits air quality, but also contributes to a more liveable and safer urban environment.

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Additional environmental zones France

France, like other EU countries, must meet European air quality standards. Exceeding these standards can lead to fines from Brussels. The rules are regularly tightened. For example, since 2024/2025, vehicles with the most polluting stickers (categories 4 and 5) are no longer welcome in cities such as Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg and Rouen. Since 1 January 2025, all French cities with more than 150,000 inhabitants have been obliged to introduce a permanent environmental zone. This means that the number of environmental zones in France has increased rapidly. For a carefree holiday, it is wise to buy the anti-pollution vehicle sticker of France before you leave.

Types of environmental zones in France

France has a complex system of environmental zones which are linked to the Crit'Air stickers, which indicates the level of vehicle emissions.

Low Emission Zone (ZFE – Zone à Faibles Émissions)
This is the current standard type of environmental zone in large cities, always active, with clear signs and rules. It is the most common environmental zone in France. Only vehicles with a valid anti-pollution vehicle sticker (Crit'Air) are allowed to enter these zones, with the permitted categories depending on local regulations. Since 2025, ZFEs have been mandatory in all French cities with more than 150,000 inhabitants. The rules and exceptions may vary from city to city and are clearly indicated by road signs.

Permanent environmental zone (ZCR – Zone à Circulation Restreinte)
This was the original permanent environmental zone. It used to be widely used in Paris. Here, the Crit'Air vignette is always mandatory, usually all year round, but sometimes only at certain times (e.g. on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.). Many ZCRs have since been replaced by ZFEs, but the principle remains the same: permanent access requirements based on emission category.

Temporary environmental zone (ZPA – Zone de Protection de l'Air)
ZPA (and also ZCD) are temporary zones that only apply in the event of poor air quality. These zones are only activated in the event of severe or persistent air pollution. The size of the area is determined in advance, but the measures only apply during periods of poor air quality. Lane control lights and local websites indicate when a ZPA is active and which vehicles are not allowed to enter the zone.

Temporary Departmental Environmental Zone (ZPAD)
This is a variant of the ZPA, in which the size of the zone is not fixed, but depends on the current air quality in a department. Measures can be implemented immediately, such as setting an environmental zone or lowering the speed limit, depending on air pollution.

Zones de circulation différenciée (ZCD)
This type of zone is very similar to the ZPA, but is established by a city instead of a department. The rules are similar: temporary restrictions based on air pollution, where only vehicles with certain Crit'Air stickers are allowed to enter.

For all environmental zones, the local authority determines which vehicles are banned, based on the Crit'Air vignette. Always check the current situation and access rules in the French city or region you are travelling to before departing from your holiday home in France.

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Recognizing environmental zones in France

The beginning and end of an environmental zone can be easily recognized by the white traffic signs with a red circle. These signs often contain texts such as "Zone à Circulation Restreinte" (ZCR) or "Zone à Faibles Émissions" (ZFE). The signs usually also contain the symbols of vehicles and the permitted Crit'Air categories (the colour stickers). Sometimes it states on which days or times the restrictions apply. Lane control lights above the road and local media provide up-to-date information about switching temporary environmental zones on or off. A temporary environmental zone may also apply outside a large city. Keep a close eye on the traffic signs. Make sure you have a valid anti-pollution vehicle sticker of France during your car holiday in France.

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Crit'Air sticker

The anti-pollution vehicle sticker is used in France to divide vehicles into categories according to their emission level. The Crit'Air sticker has six different categories, from 0 (least polluting) to 5 (most polluting). The sticker is mandatory for all vehicles, including foreign vehicles, that want to enter an environmental zone. A big advantage of this sticker is that it is valid in all French cities that have introduced environmental zones. In addition, the vignette is valid indefinitely as long as you drive the same car.

More information Crit'Air sticker

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Environmental zones France: Paris

The environmental zone in Paris consists of two parts: The city centre, bounded by the boulevard périphérique (inner ring road) for environmental badge 0 - 3 and the area outside the périphérique up to the A86 for environmental badge 0 - 4. The A86 and the access roads to the A86 are accessible without a Crit’Air sticker. For vehicles with a maximum weight of up to 3500 kg, the environmental zone applies between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays, excluding French holidays. Disneyland Paris does not belong to the metropolis of Paris and is outside the zone.

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Environmental zones France: Marseille

The Marseille's low-emission zone (Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence) covers a large part of the city centre. The measures are in force without interruption, all year round, and apply to all vehicles, including motorcycles. Since September 1, 2024, a vignette Crit'Air 0, 1 or 2 is required. The area is bordered by l'avenue du Cap Pinède, les boulevards Capitaine Gèze et de Plombières, l'avenue Alexandre Fleming, les boulevards Françoise Duparc, Sakakini, Jean Moulin et Rabatau and l'avenue du Prado 2.

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Environmental zones France: Toulouse

A low emission zone (ZFE) has been introduced in Toulouse and the surrounding area (Toulouse Métropole). The zone falls within the périphérique (bypass) of Toulouse which is formed by the A61, A62 and A620 motorways towards the Languedoc. The measures are in force without interruption, all year round, and apply to all vehicles, including motorcycles. Since January 1, 2023, vignette Crit'Air 0 to 2 is required. In Toulouse and Haute-Garonne, a temporary environmental zone (ZPA) also applies. In the event of persistent extreme air pollution, only vehicles with an environmental sticker are allowed to enter the zone.

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Environmental zones France: Bordeaux

From the 1^st of January 2025, Bordeaux in the Gironde has enforced the environmental zone and it is mandatory to have a Crit’Air sticker on your car. The zone is located within the Rocade, the ring road around Bordeaux, the A630 and N230. The provisions apply to all vehicles, 7 days a week. Vehicles in the category 0, 1 or 2 are allowed to enter the zone. Outside Bordeaux there is also a ZPA zone, so you may be temporarily affected by the restrictions. So be careful if you are staying in a holiday home near Bordeaux and want to drive into the city.

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Environmental zones France: Lille

From 1 January 2025, a Low Emission Zone (ZFE) has been introduced in the Métropole Européenne de Lille (MEL). This means that in 95 municipalities around Lille, strict rules apply to the movement of polluting vehicles. The zone is active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. in the 95 municipalities of the MEL and on major arterial roads such as the A1, A22, A25, A27 and N356. Enforcement takes place by means of police checks. When you travel from the Netherlands or Belgium to the Dordogne or the Poitou-Charentes in France, there is a good chance that you will use these roads.

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Environmental zones France: Lyon

A ZFE has been established in Lyon and the surrounding area (Grand Lyon). The Autoroute du Soleil towards Provence and the French Alps runs right through the city and is located in the low-emission zone. Those who do not have a Crit’Air sticker can take the A46. The measures are in force for all vehicles all year round. A vignette Crit'Air 0, 1 or 2 is required. The entire city of Lyon and the suburb of Caluire-et-Cuire and the parts of Villeurbanne, Bron and Vénissieux that are located within the boulevard périphérique Laurent-Bonnevay are considered ZPA.

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