Paris is closed to vehicle traffic: Parisians must breathe

According to information on the Paris City Council website, Parisians did not drive their vehicles between 11:00 and 18:00 local time, as part of the “Paris Breathes” event, which was held for the ninth time this year.

As part of the event, which aims to help Paris residents “breathe” and stay away from the smoke, the capital’s streets, including the touristy Champs-Elysees street, were closed to vehicle traffic. Scooters, young people on skates and skateboards, runners and walkers filled the streets and roads.

Within the scope of this event, where public transport, emergency vehicles and taxis are exempt, the speed limits of these vehicles are reduced to 20 kilometers per hour, except in cases of emergency.

Those who entered the capital on Sunday with their vehicles from abroad had to present an official document proving their residence here, otherwise the security forces would not allow them to pass by vehicle.

According to the regulations currently in force in Paris, the maximum urban speed limit for motor vehicles and electric scooters is 30 kilometers per hour throughout the year.