Heatwave and pollution peak in Île-de-France: traffic restrictions on August 13 and 14

In response to the heatwave and pollution peak in the Île-de-France region, the Paris Prefecture de Police is extending its traffic restrictions on August 13 and 14, 2025. The speed limit has been lowered by 20 km/h on many roads, and telecommuting is strongly recommended to limit travel. We tell you all about it.

The heatwave is back and intensifying across the Paris region, accompanied by high levels of ozone pollution, prompting the authorities to take action. Since the morning of Wednesday August 13, 2025 , motorists driving within the perimeter of the A86 motorway have had to slow down , and this restriction has been extended to Thursday August 14.

What restrictions apply?

Maximum speed limits reduced on all roads in the Île-de-France region:

at 110 km/h on freeway sections normally limited to 130 km/h,
90 km/h on freeways and expressways normally limited to 110 km/h,
at 70 km/h on sections of freeways and expressways normally limited to 90 km/h, and on national and departmental roads limited to 80 km/h or 90 km/h.

These measures, active daily from 5:30 a.m. to midnight, apply to the whole of the Île-de-France region under pollution alert. Transiting heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are required to bypass the capital via the Ile-de-France ring road. Roadside checks are planned to ensure compliance with the limits imposed.

Why these measures now?

As is the case every time there's a hot spell, air quality in Paris and the Île-de-France region drops drastically. According to Airparif, these meteorological conditions, coupled with the daily emission of pollutants in the region, favor the creation of ozone pollution. As a result, air quality is poor for residents, and particularly for the vulnerable.

What are the recommendations for the people of Ile-de-France?

The prefecture is calling on people to avoid driving, to carpool or to telework wherever possible. We also recommend staying indoors during the hottest hours, especially for the frail.

With temperatures approaching 40°C in the south of the country and the 52nd national heatwave since 1947, this new weather alert marks a turning point in the summer of 2025, where climate issues are becoming increasingly acute.

Residential parking available

Residential parking is free in areas usually reserved for residents. " It is only applicable within the user's usual residential parking zones," the municipality states on its website.

Pollution in Paris: Free residential parking extended on Thursday, August 14, 2025
Due to an episode of fine-particle air pollution, the City of Paris is extending free residential parking for the day of Thursday, August 14, 2025. This measure aims to encourage residents to use alternative modes of transport in order to reduce pollutant emissions. [Read more]

Additional recommendations

Due to this pollution episode, the health authorities recommend :

Take care not to aggravate the effects of this pollution by engaging in activities that emit polluting substances.
Avoid using solvent-based products (acetone, varnish, glue, paint, etc.).
Reduce the operation of fixed installations whose emissions contribute to the pollution episode.
For industrial emitters, ensure the proper operation of treatment systems for emissions of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.

Health recommendations for the most vulnerable

Health authorities recommend that sensitive individuals (children, the elderly, asthmatics or those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular pathologies) limit intense outdoor physical and sporting activities.

Should the pollution intensify, traffic restrictions for the most polluting vehicles could be introduced in the next few days.