A blue sign with a white ’P’ typically marks a public parking area. If time ranges are mentioned, they indicate time-limited parking — you’ll need to use a disc or pay during those hours.

Parking or stopping on sidewalks is always illegal in France unless specifically permitted by signs or markings. It obstructs pedestrians and can incur fines or towing.

Stopping or parking at bus stops is strictly prohibited to ensure buses can safely pick up and drop off passengers. Even brief stops can cause disruptions and result in fines.

Parking or stopping near a fire hydrant is illegal in France, as it may prevent emergency services from accessing critical water supplies during a fire.

You may park in clearly marked bays unless signage indicates restrictions. However, parking near crossings, double-parking, or on roundabouts is dangerous and prohibited.

Bus lanes marked by solid lines are exclusively reserved for buses (and sometimes taxis or bikes, if indicated). Stopping or using them, even briefly, is illegal and dangerous.

Yellow or red lines on the roadside are clear indicators that parking is prohibited in that area, regardless of vehicle type. These markings are placed to prevent vehicles from obstructing essential areas such as fire hydrants, emergency access routes, or areas prone to traffic congestion.

You must maintain a minimum of 5 meters from an intersection when parking your vehicle. This rule is in place to ensure that vehicles approaching the junction have clear visibility of other road users.

When parking near tram stops, you must keep at least 6 meters of space. Trams require extra clearance due to their fixed rails and turning radius, and stopping too close can block tram movement or put passengers at risk.