Paris wants to be Europe's greenest city — but how will it impact travelers?
Paris is a city of many nicknames, such as the City of Love and the City of Lights. It may soon have another sobriquet: Europe's greenest city.
Paris has embraced a green approach to urban planning as it seeks to combat the effects of climate change. It has set a goal of becoming the continental benchmark for environmentally-conscious cities by 2030.
What does it all mean for travelers who may be planning to tour what has been Europe's most-visited city? For starters, it means embracing the idea of a trip with more walking and pedaling, which leaves a smaller carbon footprint.
Sign up to receive the daily TPG newsletter for more travel news!
The upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic has helped mayor Anne Hidalgo accelerate her plans to combat the city's infamous pollution problem and transform Paris into a green paradise full of "urban forests."
It's also sparked a bike boom in France's capital city. Last year, the famed thoroughfare the Rue de Rivoli became a pop-up bike path to deal with the increase in bikes on Parisian streets as the pandemic kept people off crowded public buses and trains. If you plan on visiting once global travel rebounds, renting bikes or booking a bike tour to explore the city would make a lot of sense.
Related: The best ways to get to Paris using points and miles
Paris has always been a great city to take long, leisurely strolls, and that has not changed. The city's green approach has led to infrastructure changes to make historic squares like the Place de la Bastille and pathways like the riverbanks along the Seine more pedestrian-friendly. Parisian cafes remain as alluring an option as ever. In fact, the pandemic led to the city giving many restaurants the ability to put outdoor tables in street-side parking spaces.
Related: How to avoid 8 common mistakes tourists make on their first trip to Paris
The city's push to go green has had an impact on another famous aspect of Parisian life: cars. Travelers who prefer to rent a car to explore a city may want to rethink doing that in Paris. For one, driving in the city is still somewhat maddening. The city has vowed to make more car-free spaces, such as the Champs Elysees and the Place de la Concorde, which have either been cut off from car traffic or limited the number of automobiles that are permitted to enter. The increase in bike traffic has only made it harder.
Second, there are significantly fewer places to park. The city has reportedly removed 72% of its on-street parking spaces to make room for bike lanes and to provide spaces for eco-friendly electric vehicles. The good news is that it's still quite easy to navigate Paris without a car.
Even if biking isn't your thing, public transportation can get you wherever you need to go, from a museum to a specific restaurant. RATP is Paris' public transportation app and incredibly useful. The app not only provides routes and travel options, but it gives you the comparable CO2 footprint for each method of transportation to a particular destination, so travelers can make the most environmentally-sound choice.
Another method to get around the city debuts later this year. Electrical water taxis called SeaBubbles will provide quick trips down the river Seine from two Parisian landmarks: Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower. The SeaBubbles use hydrofoil technology and are fully powered by electricity.
Where you stay will have been changed to fit a more environmentally-friendly approach as well. All Parisian hotels have been encouraged to follow the Charter for Sustainable Accommodation. Since 2012, the initiative has encouraged hotels to seek better recycling practices. As such, you can expect to see some improvements across the hotel experience, whether that means more recycling bins or bulk toiletries.
Related: The Critical Points: Give me back individual hotel toiletries
As the city continues to adapt and embrace a greener approach, it just means visitors may need to adjust how they plan to take in all the unforgettable sights that make Paris one of the great cities of the world.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees