Driving in Nice: parking, ZFE rules and local tips

If you’re taking a road trip to glamorous Nice in the south of France, make sure you fully prepare for your journey and the experience of driving in the city. You’ll definitely need to check if your car is compliant for Nice’s low emission zone and where the best places are to park. 

At a glance guide to driving in Nice

Can I drive into Nice city centre?

Yes, you can, but Nice has a low emission zone in force (ZFE). 

ZFE & Crit’ Air in Nice

This restricts access only to vehicles meeting the zone’s strict emission compliance standards, in accordance with the Crit’ Air nationwide system of stickers. In Nice only cars and light commercial vehicles that qualify for a Crit’ Air 3 sticker (Euro 4 for petrol vehicles, Euro 5 for diesel) can drive within the zone.

The ZFE in Nice covers the historic city centre, and the coastal Promenade des Anglais road as far as the junction with Avenue des Grenouillères in the western approaches. Remember to buy your Crit’ Air sticker in advance of your trip if you don’t already have one (they don’t expire), and display it at all times.

Where to park in Nice

Who wouldn’t want to drive into a scene like this? 

On-street and car parks

There are several underground car parks within the city centre, such as the Gare du Sud car park in the Vernier district. Parking here for two days costs €63. On street car parking is limited to stays of 2 hours 15 minutes on weekdays, but is free overnight, on Sundays and public holidays. The first 30 minutes of on-street spaces are free, but they are hard to find and traffic in Nice is congested at peak times. Pay at roadside meters or apps. 

When parking anywhere in Nice, but particularly in overground, popular locations such as along the Promenade des Anglais, be very wary of leaving any valuables or suitcases in your car. Thefts from parked vehicles are common in Nice, and hire cars and vehicles with overseas registration plates are targeted. 

Parcazur park-and-ride

The easiest way to get around in Nice is to use one of the Parcazur park-and-ride facilities. These allow you to park your car at a site that connects to the Lignes d’Azur tram and bus network, giving free parking in exchange for a return ticket on public transport. The largest Parcazur car parks are at Vauban, just to the east of the old town, Henri Sappia, at the northern terminus of tram line 1, and Charles Ehrmann, in the west of the city near the athletics stadium.

Using the A8 to bypass the city centre

The A8 is the main autoroute for the French Riviera 

The main autoroute to Nice is the A8, which runs from Aix-en-Provence via Cannes, Antibes all the way to Menton, near the Italian border. The A8 is known locally as ‘La Provençale’, and is the main link road through the French Riviera. As such it can easily become congested, particularly at peak periods of the day and in the high summer season. While a functional motorway, it links up with more spectacular driving roads, such as Les Trois Corniches, the trio of breathtaking coastal roads between Nice and Monaco. The A8 gives access to Nice airport and the coastal suburbs, and the city centre between exits 50 and 55. 

Local rules and signs

Nice’s tram network connects with the city’s park and ride sites

There are no major differences to driving in Nice than anywhere else in France. Make sure you are aware of the basic road signs, and rules of the road. Give way to trams – there are three lines in the city centre. Nice is notorious for its speed camera traps, especially the one located in the underpass at Promenade du Paillon, one of the major traffic hubs of the city. Be prepared for plenty of roadworks too, and road closures that may not appear on your navigation app or SatNav. 

Speed limits in Nice

You should expect the same speed limits in Nice as the rest of France - 

Tolls and approaching Nice

The drive to Nice is long but more than worth it 

Driving to Nice from the LeShuttle terminal in Calais is a journey of around 12 ½ hours. The quickest route is via Reims, Dijon and Lyon, and then the A8 from  Aix-en-Provence. Tolls are unavoidable on this major route, at a cost of around €130 each way. For such a journey it is strongly recommended to buy a toll tag in advance, which means you won’t have to come to a complete stop at the toll booth, and the payments will be taken automatically. 

Start your Nice driving adventure with LeShuttle

If you’re thinking of driving to Nice, then the quickest way to get across the Channel and start your road trip is with LeShuttle. It’s just a 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais.