September 27 is Paris’ Day Without Cars. For the first time in the city’s history, the most popular, usually crowded tourist spots will be fully dedicated to pedestrians who will be able to discover a new Paris.
On Paris’ Car Free Day, no motorized vehicle, with a few exceptions like ambulances, will be allowed to drive the streets. Mayor Anne Hidalgo made the big announcement on Twitter in March. “Paris will be completely transformed for a day. This is an opportunity for Parisians and tourists to enjoy the city without noise, pollution and therefore without stress,” she wrote.
Le 27 septembre prochain, @Paris organisera sa première journée sans voiture #COP21pic.twitter.com/RYCyjpEcSw
— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) March 5, 2015
The areas without traffic include the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 10th and 11th arrondissements (neighborhoods), the Champs Élysées, Place Stalingrad, Place de la Republique, the Left Bank, the Place de la Bastille, the area around the Eiffel Tower and the Bois de Vincennes and Boulogne.
The Day Without Car is part of the city’s campaign against pollution and is in line with the European Mobility Week that will take place in Paris from September 16 to 22 as well as the major United Nations conference on the climate (COP 21) also in Paris in late November.
“Our city has to establish an exemplary signal responding to global issues. But it also has to respond to local issues after record peaks of pollution and climate challenges that are more than ever at the heart of everyday life. The car-free day, by its magnitude, will also leave a lasting mark on the collective imagination: Everyone can project a city more livable, adopt sustainable behaviors, particularly in terms of mobility and the sharing of public spaces,” said the non-profit environmental group Paris Sans Voiture.
A recent report by the French Senate estimated that pollution costs France more than €100 billion each year.
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I think that’s pretty awesome but hopefully everyone that travels longer than walking distance to work gets a paid day off.
In reality, cars will only be forbidden from the outside of Paris, and from 11 to 18 o’clock. That means that everyone who lives inside the “car-free” area will be allowed to use his car
ever heard of public transport?
It’s a step in the right direction!
First time in history? You people stupid or what? Think real hard. First time in history?
I was just about to say that, and then I saw your comment. I lol’d so hard, “First time in history.” Are you kidding me?
Its a little known fact that paris is one of the most advanved civilizations in the world and have in fact had cars since their rise to power in 14bce
Pfft… We in Jakarta, Indonesia, have had Car Free Day for years. Every Sunday. Google it.
USA should try this, not feeling very proud to say I’m an American anymore. If I actually believed in organized religion, haven been baptized ¿ catholic, I would choose to be a Muslim especially after listening to Yves Morieux- thanks for sharing Yves , FYI my history traces me back to being a Canuk( spelling may suck oops)