Low-emission zone of Bayonne

As of 1 January 2025, the municipalities of the Pays Basque in the extreme southwest of France have introduced a low-emission zone. Often referred to as the low-emission zone of Bayonne, it is in fact a zone covering the entire urban area along the coast. On this page you will find a map and more practical information. Wondering which other low-emission zones there are in this part of France? Then take a look at our list of all low-emission zones. On our home page you can read more about the emissions sticker itself.

Map of the low-emission zone in Bayonne

map: low-emission zone of Pays Basque

On the map above, the low-emission zone of Pays Basque is marked in orange. The largest cities are Bayonne, Anglet, Biarritz, Hendaye, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Tarnos and Urrugne. Because Bayonne is the largest city, the zone is often referred to as the low-emission zone of Bayonne.

The low-emission zone is wedged between the Cantabrian Sea and the A63. Only in the southwest does the border of the zone briefly follow the D810 instead of the A63. An emissions sticker is not yet required on these roads themselves. The Spanish border and the municipal border of Tarnos are the other ends of the low-emission zone. This makes it fairly straightforward for visitors.

The short blue lines on the map are roads that lead to parking relais within the low-emission zone. If you drive on these roads just to park, it is not necessary to have an emissions sticker on your windshield. From the parking lots, you can continue your journey by public transport.

The low-emission zone of Bayonne

Pays Basque’s zone à faibles émissions (ZFE) is in effect day and night, seven days a week. There are no different rules for truck traffic or motorcycles. It is possible to apply to local municipalities for an exemption for your vehicle. This is however aimed primarily at local residents and not at tourists.

Parking outside the low-emission zone

At the edge of the low-emission zone of Bayonne, you will find a good number of parking relais or park-and-ride sites from which you can take public transportation. Some are just inside the low-emission zone but are still accessible without a sticker. Please see the blue lines on the map above. We list a number of parking relays for you below. The line numbers starting with a T refer to a streetcar line. Only a number refers to a bus line.

  1. P+R Garròs: boulevard de la Yayi , 220 parking spaces, Garròs stop on lines T2 and 56.
  2. P+R Hauts de Bayonne: avenue Henri de Navarre , 95 parking spaces, stop Hauts de Bayonne on lines T1, 32 and 54.
  3. P+R Technocité: avenue du 8 mai 1945, 50 parking spaces, Technocité stop on lines T2, 14, 46 and 52.
  4. P+R Iraty: rue de Pitchot, 290 parking spaces, Halle Iraty stop on lines 5 and 7.
  5. P+R Ilargia: avenue André Ithurralde, 196 parking spaces, Ilargia stop on lines 3, 43 and 51.
  6. P+R Chantaco: rue Rodolphe Caillaux, 190 parking spaces, Chantaco stop on lines 45, 47 and 49.
  7. P+R Souhara: under construction at the time of writing.

Reaching Hendaye, the southernmost city, will be a little trickier without an emissions sticker. What you can consider is parking at Irun station (H on the map), just across the border in Spain. From here there are regular trains to Hendaye. The ride takes 4 minutes.

Which emissions sticker in Bayonne?

French emissions sticker 0-1-2-3-4

Only vehicles with a green, purple (1), yellow (2), orange (3) or burgundy (4) emissions sticker are allowed to drive within the low-emission zone. Do you have a gray (5) or no emissions sticker? Then you risk a fine.

Other low-emission zones nearby

There are not many other low-emission zones in the vicinity of Bayonne. The emissions sticker is mandatory in Pau as well, but this city lies more than 100 kilometers to the east. Bordeaux also has a low-emission zone and although this city may seem close on the map, it is located almost 200 kilometers north of Bayonne.

What is there to see and do in Bayonne and Pays Basque?

Biarritz

The coast of Pays Basque, the French part of the Basque Country, is a popular tourist destination due to its natural environment and pleasant climate. Bayonne itself is best known for its historic center and Vauban’s defensive works. Biarritz has to rely on its rocky coast and luxurious hotels and resorts. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a smaller town on a beautiful natural bay. Hendaye in turn has a large marina and is the region’s gateway to Spain.

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