The Place de la Concorde begins its transformation several weeks ahead of the pope’s arrival. From Wednesday, September 2 at 10 p.m., the central median will be blocked off to allow installation of the equipment needed for the Mass to be celebrated by Léon XIV the Saturday, September 26, 2026. The move is already altering traffic in this highly frequented stretch of the 8th arrondissement.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Paris: Notre-Dame, the Stade de France, the Champs-Élysées… the full schedule
Notre-Dame, the Stade de France, the Champs-Élysées, the Place de la Concorde… Pope Leo XIV will be in Paris on September 25 and 26, 2026 for a series of religious and official engagements. The programme, public highlights and practical information: here are the essentials. [Read more]
For motorists, the main change concerns the crossing at the Concorde: it will no longer be possible to pass directly from the south to the north of the square. The detour will have to go via the Quai des Tuileries. The other routes are not all closed for good: the passages to the north and west remain accessible for now via the western side road.
This setup, however, is only provisional. The sector must gradually give more room to the preparations for the celebration, with restrictions expected to tighten over the course of September. The Mass, organized at Place de la Concorde and along the Champs-Élysées at 3 p.m., is expected to draw several hundred thousand people.
Movements around the Place de la Concorde are set to become more complicated as the event draws near. The details of the upcoming traffic and security measures remain to be announced: authorities still need to clarify part of the plan surrounding the papal visit.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Paris: Notre-Dame, the Stade de France, the Champs-Élysées… the full schedule
