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DRIVING IN FRANCE

MAP: Where in France do I need snow tyres this winter?

From November 1st rules requiring drivers to have winter tyres or snow chains apply in certain areas - here's what equipment you need and where the law applies.

MAP: Where in France do I need snow tyres this winter?
Photo: AFP

France is – slowly – introducing a new law that makes winter tyres, all-weather tyres or snow chains compulsory for drivers in certain areas.

The Loi Montage II (mountain law II) has been a bit of a long, drawn-out saga – it was originally set to be introduced in 2020, was then delayed to 2022 and then a couple of ‘education’ years were added before enforcement began.

When

The law covers the period from November 1st to March 31st, and police will begin enforcement action from November 1st. However, this year drivers who are caught without the correct tyres will not be fined, merely informed about the new law. Fines of €135 will be issued from next year.

What

During the relevant period, in order to drive in the areas covered by the law you car must have either all-weather tyres (all of the vehicles tyres must be all-weather) or one of the following;

  • Winter tyres (pneus contact/pneus neige) – if you are using snow tyres or all weather tyres, these must be fitted to all four of your vehicles’ wheels when you enter an area covered by the mountain law. By the decree, these tyres should be designated as ‘3PMSF’ (3 peak Mountain Snow Flake). These tyres might be marked ‘M+S’, ‘M.S’ or ‘M&S’. The 2023-2024 winter season will be the final one where ‘M+S’ tyres are allowed.
  • Studded tyres (pneus cloutés/pneus à crampons) – These are tyres adapted to drive on icy roads. As a general rule, you may use studded tyres from November until the end of March. Regional governments may adapt this date to local weather conditions, but they are not compulsory. Vehicles fitted with studded tyres are not required to have any extra equipment.
  • Chains (chaînes) – if you use chains instead of winter tyres you only need these on two wheels of your car. They are allowed on all roads covered in snow, whatever the season.
  • Chaussettes à neige – ‘snow socks’ – these are similar to chains, and again are only required for two wheels on the car.

Where

This is where it gets complicated, the law applies in only 34 of France’s 96 mainland départements – generally those areas which are mountainous.

With those 34 départements, local authorities pick which roads the new rules apply to.

The below map shows the dark blue zones where the snow tyre law applies – as you would expect they’re concentrated around the Alps, Pyrenees, Jura, Vosges and the Massif Central.

You can click here to get the interactive version of the map which allows you to zoom in and look at your area in more detail. 

Map: Interior Ministry

You will also see signs as you enter or leave a snow tyre zone – the sign on the left informs you that you are entering a zone where all-weather tyres, snow tyres or chains are compulsory, the sign on the right informs you that you are leaving this zone.

Many other European countries also have rules on snow tyres so if you are driving to a European neighbour during winter time, you should check what the rules are in that respective country. The European Consumer Centre France has a handy map outlining the different rules in Europe. 

French vocab

Tomber en panne – break down

Route barré – road closed

Déviation – diversion

Antigel – antifreeze

Route glacée – icy roads

Antipatinage – Traction control

Liquide de lave-glace spécialement adapté aux conditions hivernales – Windshield washer fluid adapted for winter conditions

Member comments

  1. Does this apply if exclusively on an autoroute, for example the A89 between Clermont-Ferrand and Lyon appears to go in an out of the winter tyre zone several times? But snow chains on a motorway???

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DRIVING

French city hikes parking charges for SUVs

On Tuesday, the eastern French city of Lyon introduced its new 'progressive pricing' model for parking, which imposes higher charges for heavy vehicles such as SUVs.

French city hikes parking charges for SUVs

Residents in the south-eastern French city of Lyon face steeper parking prices if they own a heavier car as the city steps up an environmental battle against gas-guzzling SUVs.

The scheme, which was first announced in 2023, went into effect on Tuesday.

The deputy mayor of Lyon, Valentin Lungenstrass, told the French press that the plan is “a complete, fairer system, taking into account the weight of the vehicle”.

Parking will now be charged at three different rates – reduced, standard and increased – depending on the vehicle’s weight and other factors.

You can use the town hall’s simulator HERE to see how much you would be charged.

Here’s how it will work;

For Lyon residents

Instead of having paying for parking at the standard rate of €20 per month, there will be three different, means-tested, options depending on your car and family situation.

Most electric vehicles and internal-combustion engine cars weighing less than one tonne will pay a reduced rate of €15 a month, as well as low-income households and those with at least three dependent children.

According to local authorities, this rate will apply to at least 50 percent of households in Lyon.

The second rate will be €30 per month. This will concern vehicles weighing between one tonne to 1.525 tonnes, as well as plug-in hybrids (up to 1.9 tonnes).

Finally, the third rate of €45 will be applied to those with vehicles weighing over 1.525 tonnes, as well as hybrids that weigh more than 1.9 tonnes and electric vehicles that weight more than 2.1 tonnes. 

READ MORE: Meet France’s tiny cars that you don’t need a licence to drive

For visitors

Visitors will also pay for parking at a progressive rate structure.

Ultimately, Franceinfo reported that the vast majority of visitors will see their rates increase.

The same criteria as above will apply – vehicles under one tonne get the reduced rate, those between one tonne and 1.525 tonnes plus hybrids under 1.9 tonnes get the standard rate, and those above 1.525 tonnes and the heaviest hybrids and electric vehicles get the increased rate.

As such, a vehicle that meets the reduced rate requirement will pay €1 for one hour, €3 for two hours, and €18 to park for seven hours. The standard rate will be €2 for one hour, €6 for two hours, and €26 for seven hours, and the increased rate will be €3 for one hour, €9 for two hours and €39 for seven hours.

You can see the full table here.

According to estimates by the Lyon town hall, 20 percent of visitors will be affected by the reduced rate, 65 percent will pay the standard rate and 15 percent will pay the increased rate.

For tradespeople and workers

There will be a different scheme applied for workers. 

Annual subscriptions will be offered to those who work in ‘urgent repair’ professions, as well as those in construction.

“Several subscriptions will be possible for the same company”, the town hall told 20 Minutes.

Store owners and shopkeepers will also be offered a different pricing plan, as well as healthcare professionals who go to appointments at people’s homes. More information here.

Other steps in France to encourage greener vehicles

The French government previously introduced a purchase tax on new heavier, more polluting cars, amounting to a €10 payment per kilogramme above 1.8 tonnes.

In Paris, residents voted in favour of a similar weight-based parking scheme in February 2024, which would charge cars weighing 1.6 tonnes or more €18 per hour for parking in the city centre, or €12 further out.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, of Parti Socialiste, hailed a “clear choice of Parisians” in favour of a measure that is “good for our health and good for the planet”.

Fully electric cars will have to top two tonnes to be affected, while people living or working in Paris, taxi drivers, tradespeople, health workers and people with disabilities will all be exempt.

The new parking charges will apply from September 1st. 

The French government also introduced a special leasing deal to help households access electric vehicles. 

Eligible French residents can rent a car without a deposit for three years and renew the subscription once, supported by a subsidy of up to €13,000 for each car.

READ MORE: How France’s €100-per-month electric car lease scheme works

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