Every region in France has, at least theoretically emergency pollution schemes (Circulation Différenciée or Pic de Pollution). Also known as Smog Alerts in English. A number of cities have their own specific Smog Schemes, with detailed information – see the column below “Cities with their own specific Smog Alerts” There are also regional / county Smog Schemes (French: Department). The Smog Alerts are active when the air is polluted – above a certain air pollution level. There are different levels of pollution alert, depending on the pollution level. When the Smog Scheme is active, the exact requirements will be announced. You can find if the Smog Scheme is active from the link in the column “Find if Scheme is Active”. Information on whether there is a Smog Scheme, and what it involves can be found on the motorway noticeboards, local newspapers and radios and city / regional websites (see below under “Find if Scheme is Active”). At each level of pollution alert certain measures can be taken:
- Speed reduction of 20 kilometers per hour on main roads and motorways
- Emergency “low emission zone” (circulation différenciée)
- When the Smog Schemes are active, your vehicle needs to meet the set emissions standards. All vehicles need a Crit’Air sticker to prove the vehicle Euro standard.
- Which vehicles are banned is announced for each alert.
- Alternating number plate traffic (circulation alternée)
- Some regions (eg Pays de la Loire, Paris, Corse) also have the possibility to reduce traffic by only allowing alternating number plates.
- This means that one day only number plates ending in an even number may enter, the next day number plates ending with an odd number.
The exact requirements vary by region and department.
If you are travelling in France, and particularly intending to travel into cities, we would recommend you to have a Crit’Air sticker. Please buy it from the official website, as other websites charge up to six times as much, others do not deliver the sticker at all.
The French departments and cities with an emergency low emission zones, together with a link to find out whether a scheme is in place can be found below:
Regions |
Find if Scheme is Active |
Ordinances |
Cities with their own specific Smog Alerts |
Pays de la Loire |
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Centre-Val de Loire |
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Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes |
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Occitanie |
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Nouvelle-Aquitane |
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Bourgogne-Franche-Comté |
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Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur |
Bouches-du-Rhône |
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Hauts-de-France |
Nord |
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Île-de-France |
Paris |
Paris |
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Bretagne |
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Grand Est |
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Normandie |
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Corse |
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