Paris has taken a next step in reclaiming central areas of the city for pedestrians, cyclists and local residents with a limited traffic zone covering 4 arrondissements on the Right Bank.
The ‘zone à trafic limité’ covers the 1st through 4th districts, including areas around the Louvre, Hotel de Ville and Marais, is aimed at cars and other vehicles that pass through the area rather than at people living or visiting shops in the area. For now, enforcement is taking a back seat to educating people about the new rules. Taxis, buses and emergency vehicles are exempt.
The city hopes that there will be general acceptance of through traffic moving to main streets outside the zone. Through traffic will also be allowed on the ‘upper quais,’ the busy streets following the river. The lower quais, directly on the river, were pedestrianized nearly in 2016. Some major areas within the ZTL are already pedestrianized, such as Rue du Rivoli.
Paris City Hall officials say that between 350,000 and 500,000 vehicles enter the ZTL daily, and estimate that up to 50% of that is through traffic.
