Olympic zones disrupt parcel deliveries in Paris: What to expect

Deliveries from La Poste and online retailers including Amazon are being disrupted in Paris as restrictions on vehicles and movement come into force ahead of the Olympic Games this week.

Some areas have banned vehicles from entering, while others only allow access to drivers and people with valid Pass Jeux QR codes. These are only available for a handful of reasons.

Read also: Olympic QR codes begin: what Paris residents and visitors need to know 

La Poste and Amazon are among the providers to send emails to customers warning them of possible non-delivery to their addresses, or of possible delivery delays.

Amazon Lockers prioritised; La Poste uses bikes

Amazon in particular is extending and improving its ‘Lockers’ network across the capital, and encouraging shoppers to order their items for delivery to their closest accessible Locker (outside of the Olympic red and grey zones), rather than to their home address. 

This does not cost more but the shopper needs to go to the Locker to collect the parcel,using details sent to them after their purchase.

La Poste is planning to maintain most of its at-home deliveries where possible, by using delivery cargo bikes instead of motorised vehicles. However, it has warned customers that some deliveries may be late due to logistics issues.

In the event of non-delivery or a problem with delivery to your home address, “parcels will be made available through the network of post offices, Pickup relays and Chronopost and DPD France agencies”, La Poste said in a press release.

What are the QR code restrictions?

Most of the restrictions are in place along the Seine river, up to the Pont d’Ivry (Val-de-Marne). The Opening Ceremony will take place on the river on July 26.

There are two restricted zones that work like a ‘double perimeter’. The first is a larger ‘red zone’ within which is an even stricter ‘grey zone’. The latter is the anti-terrorist protection zone.

The zones apply to cars, cyclists, public transport users, and even pedestrians. People who enter the zone can also expect pat-downs and bag searches from officials, and be asked to present ‘supporting documents at checkpoints’ to prove their reason for entering.

Read also: Act now to buy Paris transport tickets before prices rise for Olympics
Read also: Fines, banned vehicles: Rules for new Olympic lanes on French roads 

Pedestrian and cyclist access

Pedestrians and cyclists are allowed inside the zones if they have a valid QR code, which is only available under certain conditions including for:

• Residents who live inside the zone

• Those who must go to work inside the zone

• Holders of a confirmed reservation for a restaurant (or similar) inside the area

A valid Olympic ticket will also allow access on the day and time of the stated event, of course.

The grey zone includes:

• The area along the Seine between the Pont du Garigliano and the Pont de Tolbiac

• Some surrounding streets, including the Trocadero esplanade, the Louvre area, the Tuileries Gardens, and the Ile de la Cité. 

Cyclists and pedestrians can freely come and go from the larger ‘red zone’.

Vehicle access

Vehicles and drivers are almost entirely banned from the ‘grey zone’, and even emergency vehicles will be required to show a valid QR code pass. 

The outer red zone is banned to drivers of cars or motor bikes, again with limited exceptions. 

Certain professions detailed in a statement issued by the Paris Police Prefecture are allowed, but ‘Amazon delivery driver’ is not one of them.

Read also: What disruption for drivers in France during the Paris 2024 Olympics? 

How can I see which areas are in the zones?

Detailed information on the closures of roads, public transport, and the red and grey zones can be found on the Transport Ministry’s dedicated website, anticiperlesjeux.gouv.fr (available in ‘EN - English’ via the translate dropdown menu at the top right of the site).

This website also includes interactive maps showing which roads, public transport, and areas of the capital are affected and when. You can enter an address into the search bar, and check the restrictions in place.

Read also: MAPS: Who needs Paris Olympics 2024 QR access code, and how to get it 

Who can get a ‘Pass Jeux’ QR code and how?

These are available via the dedicated website, Pass-jeux.gouv.fr. Applicants will be directed to a web form asking to select transport type and the reason access is needed.

The site then asks for contact details, and to provide proof of why access is needed. Of course, a ‘Pass Jeux’ does not grant access to Olympics events; a valid ticket is needed to attend these).