French cities are seeing rising parking costs, with Paris leading at 138 euros/month. Underground parking is becoming a financial necessity as surface spaces vanish.
Parking costs vary widely across French cities
From 138 euros per month in Paris to 58 euros in Toulouse, the price of parking is rising in major French cities, according to the latest 2026 barometer published by Yespark, a specialist in subscription-based parking. Paris remains the most expensive city in France for monthly parking rentals, with an average price of 138 euros per month, followed by Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône) at 109 euros and Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine (Seine-Saint-Denis) at 102 euros.Affordability differs by region and commune
In contrast, communes such as Le Plessis-Robinson (Hauts-de-Seine) and Toulouse (Haute-Garonne) are more affordable, with average prices of 57 euros and 58 euros per month, respectively. In terms of regions, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur leads with an average of 106 euros per month, surpassing Île-de-France at 102 euros, while Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is the most affordable in the Hexagon with an average of 42 euros per month.Supply reduction and higher street fees drive costs
The surge in parking prices is attributed to a drastic reduction in the supply of surface parking and an increase in street parking fees. In the central districts of Paris, from the 1st to the 11th, leaving a car in the street for six hours, the maximum allowed duration, can reach 75 euros for a standard model and up to 225 euros for an SUV based on weight.Paris's plan to reduce surface parking spaces
The capital continues its plan initiated in 2020 to eliminate 70,000 surface parking spaces by 2026, with approximately 48,000 to 50,000 spaces already neutralized and nearly 22,000 spaces still promised to disappear. This effort is part of a broader strategy to reduce car dependency and improve urban mobility.Fines for unpaid parking fees are rising
Financial penalties are intensifying pressure on motorists: the number of payment notices for post-parking fees (FPS) was capped at 7.8 million in 2018 but rose to 16.3 million in 2024 before settling at 15.6 million in 2025, representing a total of nearly 500 million euros for local authorities. The difference in penalties between metropolitan areas remains significant, with a maximum FPS of 17 euros in Marseille compared to 80 euros in Lyon and up to 225 euros in Paris for an SUV in the central zone.New law reshapes urban parking spaces
The obligations of the LOM law are redefining urban spaces. The law on mobility orientation (LOM) requires all municipalities to eliminate all parking spaces located less than five meters in front of pedestrian crossings by December 31, 2026. Intended to improve visibility to prevent accidents, this legal measure will remove several thousand additional spaces from public roads across the country.Rising costs affect household budgets
The car represents 80% of the transport budget for households, with an average total bill of 416 euros per month in 2025, and the cost of parking is increasingly affecting purchasing power. In response to the planned disappearance of surface parking, the rental of private spaces in underground parking lots is becoming a more affordable solution for drivers.Expert highlights the impact of rising costs
"In 2026, the increase in parking costs testifies to a profound transformation of cities with fewer surface spaces, more restrictions, and increasing pressure on the budgets of French citizens," says Charles Pfister, co-founder of Yespark. "Faced with the scarcity of street spaces, underground parking is no longer just a comfort option, but a real financial alternative to continue traveling," he adds.
