Parking Rules in France
Parking Zone Types
| Zone | Description | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Zone Bleue | Blue disc required | Free (time-limited) |
| Stationnement Payant | Paid parking | €1-4/hour |
| Zone Verte | Residential priority | Varies |
| Parking Relais | Park & Ride | €2-5/day |
Blue Zone (Zone Bleue)
- Free parking with time limit
- Requires blue parking disc (disque de stationnement)
- Typically 1.5-2 hour limit
- Set disc to arrival time, round up to next half hour
Parking Fines (FPS - Forfait Post-Stationnement)
| Violation | Fine |
|---|---|
| Expired meter | €17-75 (varies by city) |
| Blue zone violation | €35 |
| Dangerous parking | €135 |
| Disabled space | €135 |
| Blocking traffic | €135 |
Prohibited Parking
- Within 5m of intersections
- Within 5m of pedestrian crossings
- On sidewalks (unless marked)
- Within 20m of traffic lights
- Double parking
Tips for Parking in France
- Buy a disque bleu at tabacs or auto shops
- Paris uses PayByPhone app
- Many cities have 2-hour free parking in blue zones
- "Stationnement gênant" = obstructive parking (€35)
- "Stationnement dangereux" = dangerous parking (€135)