The Minister of Transport, Clément Beaune, had announced: " I won't hide the fact that these traffic plans (...) will be 'hardcore '". Indeed, these plans are likely to annoy more than one motorist: on November 29, 2023, Police Prefect Laurent Nuñez unveiled the broad outlines of the traffic arrangements that will be in place during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Among the key announcements was the creation of a special pass to access certain areas of the capital.
Competition venues, the athletes' and media villages, and fan zones will be surrounded by three zones. The grey zone (known as the security perimeter) is open to all, but visitors will be searched on entry - except for local residents. In the red zone, motorized traffic is prohibited, except for holders of a special dispensation. This zone will be mainly pedestrian, and bicycles will be allowed. Finally, the blue zone is a transit area, where residents, workers, delivery personnel, emergency vehicles, etc. are allowed. " We only want to let people who live, work or want to go to a shop or restaurant enter by car ", said the prefect in an interview with Le Parisien.
It should be noted that, during the opening ceremony, and in the vicinity of certain important sites, searches will be compulsory for everyone, including local residents.
So, where and how do you obtain this famous credential? Between March and April 2024, a digital platform will be set up by the prefecture: to obtain the pass (in the form of a QR code), you'll need to register and provide proof of residence or employment, in order to obtain authorization to travel by car or two-wheeler. "Laurent Nuñez adds: " For the most vulnerable, notably those without Internet access, the City of Paris has made provision for the possibility of obtaining a badge or proof of identity.
Rest assured, however, that these traffic restrictions will not be imposed throughout the summer. The Paris Centre area is expected to remain essentially pedestrian-free for the duration of the Games. In the rest of the area, however, the restrictions will only be in place 2h30 before the start of the day's events, and until one hour after their end.
Metro travel may also be restricted, depending on the Olympic schedule. Find out more in our dedicated article.
Paris 2024 Olympics: metro stations closed in some areas of the capital
Getting around the capital during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will certainly be complicated. In an interview with Le Parisien, the Prefect of Paris, Laurent Nunez, announced that several metro stations would be closed for security reasons. We explain. [Read more]
Paris 2024 Olympics: metro stations closed in some areas of the capital
