Pope's visit to Paris: the papamobile route to know before Friday

The Pope Leo XIV in a papamobile in Paris route is taking shape. Friday, September 25, 2026, the sovereign pontiff will cover about 2.5 kilometers between Notre-Dame-des-Champs Church and Place Saint-Michel, passing through the Boulevard du Montparnasse, Port-Royal, then the Boulevard Saint-Michel. The route is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m..

Pope in Paris in the popemobile: how to reach the route by public transport?
Léon XIV glides through a stretch of Paris in the papamobile on Friday, September 25, 2026, from Notre-Dame-des-Champs to Place Saint-Michel. The public can access the perimeter from noon, ahead of the departure scheduled for around 4 p.m. But several stations along the route will close as early as 10 a.m.: here’s how to avoid being turned away … in front of a closed gate. [Read more]

From Notre-Dame-des-Champs, the popemobile will roll down Boulevard du Montparnasse to Port-Royal, then swing onto Boulevard Saint-Michel to reach Place Saint-Michel. The pope will then proceed to Île de la Cité, in an area closed to the public, before the Vespers planned at Notre-Dame de Paris at 5:15 p.m.

Where should you position yourself to see the pope in the papamobile?

The route will be divided into 12 welcome zones, labeled A through L, now visible on the event’s official map. They run along Boulevard du Montparnasse and then along Boulevard Saint-Michel.

To access these areas:

• A total of 23 screening points are planned;
• public access will begin at 12:00;
• between 10:00 and 12:00, only residents and authorized entrants may penetrate the perimeter, upon presenting proof;
• bags will be checked at the entrance;
• the route will be fully cordoned off;
• the 12 zones will be entirely independent of one another;
• to move to a different zone, you must exit onto the public road and then re-enter through the screening point of the new sector;
• any person leaving their zone must also go through security again to re-enter;
• when a zone reaches its maximum capacity, incoming people may be redirected to neighboring zones.

The official map now allows you to view access points, but a detailed list with exact addresses has not yet been published. The organizers advise arriving well in advance, as security checks may slow entry to the areas.

Around 1,400 volunteers will be deployed alongside law enforcement. The maximum crowd capacity announced for the entire route stands at 250,000 people.

Flags, bags... What are you allowed to bring?

New guidelines have also been clarified ahead of the march. 100,000 flags will be distributed at the various access points.

Visitors can bring their own flag or banner, but several rules apply:

• Flags and banners must be laid out flat for inspection;
• Rigid poles or staffs made of wood, metal, or hard plastic are not allowed;
• Only soft or flexible supports will be permitted;
• Only music groups that have pre-registered with the organizers may enter with instruments;
• Large bags, suitcases, glass containers, alcohol, helmets, pyrotechnic devices and other dangerous items are prohibited;
• No on-site cloakroom or storage will be available for items that are refused entry.

A QR code will also be displayed along the route, allowing attendees to access the chants, texts, and prayers scheduled for the afternoon on their smartphones.

Which stations will be closed along the route?

Several nearby stations will be closed Friday, September 25 from 10 a.m.:

• Notre-Dame-des-Champs (12)
• Vavin (4)
• Saint-Placide (4)
• Port-Royal (RER B)
• Luxembourg (RER B)
• Saint-Michel / Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame (4, RER B and C)
• Cité (4)

Travel will therefore be disrupted in the areas around Montparnasse, Port-Royal, the Latin Quarter, Saint-Michel and the Île de la Cité.

Pope's visit to Paris: several metro, RER stations and bus stops will close on Friday.
Subway, RER and bus services will be disrupted this Friday, September 25, ahead of the visit of Leon XIV. Several stations and bus stops in the 5th, 6th and 7th arrondissements are affected. Here are which ones are impacted and their schedules. [Read more]

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This Paris crossing will precede vespers celebrated at Notre-Dame de Paris at 5:15 p.m., then the big youth vigil at the veillée des jeunes au Stade de France in the evening. The following day, Saturday, September 26, Leo XIV will preside at 3 p.m. over an outdoor mass in place de la Concorde and along the Champs-Élysées.