Paris made street parking a luxury good – especially for big cars: since the 2024 reform, SUVs and vehicles over 1.6 tonnes pay up to €18/hour in the central zone (residents exempt), enforcement scan-cars sweep continuously, and the FPS fines arrive automatically. The sane 2026 strategy: an underground garage (Saemes/Indigo day rates €25–35 central, €18–25 at the edge) or skip driving entirely. Here's how to do Paris with a car and keep your dignity.
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Street (standard car) | High hourly, zone 1 > zone 2 | Scan-car enforced, FPS automatic |
| Street (SUV/≥1.6t, ≥2t EV) | Up to €18/h in the centre | Visitor surcharge; residents exempt |
| Underground garages | €25–35/day centre, €18–25 edge | Saemes, Indigo – book online for less |
| Parcs relais (P+R) | Few euros + Navigo/ticket | RER/metro termini outside the périph |
The triple-rate applies to combustion/hybrid vehicles from 1.6 tonnes and EVs from 2 tonnes parking on-street as visitors – rental SUVs included, since the plate's registered weight is what the scan-car checks. Underground garages charge normal rates regardless of weight, which quietly makes them the better deal for almost any SUV stay over an hour.
On-street parking is free Sundays, public holidays and overnight (20:00–9:00) in most arrondissements – arriving Saturday evening and leaving Monday morning can cost nothing on a legal bay (weight surcharge included: free is free). August's resident exodus also loosens the outer arrondissements noticeably.
Staying outside or day-tripping in? Park at an RER-end P+R (Vincennes side, La Défense, Saint-Denis and beyond) for a few euros with a transport ticket and ride in – central Paris is faster by metro than by car for literally every journey inside the périphérique.
Street rates are steep and zone-based, with SUVs/≥1.6t paying up to €18/h centrally. Garages run €25–35/day in the centre, €18–25 at the edges – less pre-booked online.
Yes – it's based on the vehicle's registered weight, not ownership. On-street only, though: garages charge normal rates, so park an SUV underground.
Sundays, public holidays and nights 20:00–9:00 in most of the city – plus a noticeably laxer August.
The FPS – up to €75 in central arrondissements, issued automatically by scan-cars against your plate. Apps (PayByPhone et al.) let you extend remotely.
Inside the périphérique – no. Park at a parc relais or garage and use the metro; keep the car for the day you leave for Versailles, Giverny or the coast.
Disclosure: Auto Jardim participates in the DiscoverCars affiliate program. We only recommend services we would use ourselves.
Last updated: June 2026. Paris parking policy moves fast – verify rates on paris.fr before relying on them.
