Are there smartphone apps that show the location of parking spaces in France?
There are several digital methods to pay for a parking spot
Some of the apps are available for free if you limit usage to your hometown
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Reader Question: Is there an app that can show me the availability of parking spaces when I am driving in France? We are driving from the UK for an extended holiday, so it would be good if it showed overnight spots and longer ones.
Several major global parking apps that function elsewhere in the world also work in France.
These apps point to the location of parking spots within a given area, however they do not necessarily say if the parking space is freely available.
One popular app is EasyPark – which you can set up for free if you only use it within a specific city or area, otherwise you must pay.
Other commonly-used apps are Flowbird and Zenpark.
These are just the most popular however and there are others offering a similar service.
These apps also allow users to pay for certain parking spots through their phone, provided they are set up with the correct technology. This in turn allows drivers to see information about their ticket such as how long is left on it, to avoid overstaying your time in a spot.
If you have a tollbadge (télépéage) you may also be able to use this to locate and pay for certain parking spaces – for example this can be done with Bip and Go.
You also use the payment method for the toll badge to pay for the parking space, saving the hassle of having to pay manually or set up your bank card again on the app.
Some of the apps listed above also provide options for long-term parking, including overnight and monthly stays.
Other apps such as YesPark allow owners of an unused parking space to rent it out, either by the day or month, which can be beneficial for those looking for longer duration stays.
Be aware of parking in the same spot for too long in public streets – unless it is in a private area, a vehicle that is stationary for too long is at the risk of being towed away.
Read more: How long can car be parked in same spot in France before police act?
Special app for disabled drivers
Specifically for disabled drivers, the VIP (Very Important Parking) app crowdsources information about disabled parking bays in France.
In 2024 the app displayed over 500,000 disabled parking spots in France.
However, users must pay to use the app, either via a monthly subscription or one-off free.
Read more: New app helps disabled drivers find parking spaces in France
