--- title: "Lyon ZFE for motorhomes (2026): Crit'Air rules, hours, fines, routing" description: "Lyon ZFE for motorhomes in 2026: Crit'Air 3 banned since January 2025 (a year before Paris), Mon-Fri 08:00-20:00 hours, the 5-commune perimeter inside the périphérique, fines €135 standard / €450 over 3.5 tonnes, the Croix-Rousse tunnel 3.5-tonne weight limit, and the apps that route around it." canonical: https://rovee.io/topic/lyon-zfe-motorhome/ last_updated: 2026-06-18 --- # Lyon ZFE for motorhomes (2026): Crit'Air rules, hours, fines, routing > Lyon's ZFE is the one that catches motorhome owners off guard most often, because the rules tightened a year before Paris. If your motorhome has been visiting Lyon comfortably for years and the Crit'Air class has not been checked recently, the camera system has been queuing fines since January 2025. Last updated: **2026-06-18**. ## Short answer Lyon ZFE works the same way Paris does — hard **Crit'Air class gate**, no daily ticket. The difference is that Lyon was a year ahead: **Crit'Air 3 barred since 1 January 2025**, while Paris applied the same rule on 1 January 2026. The ZFE covers Lyon, Caluire-et-Cuire, and portions of Villeurbanne, Bron, and Vénissieux inside the périphérique — a much smaller perimeter than Paris's 77 communes. Hours are **Monday to Friday 08:00 to 20:00**. Fines run €135 for under-3.5T motorhomes (€68 with early-pay discount) and up to €450 for over-3.5T per the national heavy-vehicle pattern. The Croix-Rousse tunnel has a separate 3.5-tonne weight limit that bars most A-class motorhomes regardless of the Crit'Air sticker. **Important national-level rule**: motorhomes with the VASP classification on the registration document have a derogation that allows entry regardless of Crit'Air class — but Lyon is more administrative than Paris or Marseille and may require formal application via the Toodego portal. ## The VASP motorhome derogation (Toodego application) French ZFEs grant a derogation to VASP-classified vehicles (motorhomes, ambulances, similar). The derogation applies in Lyon — with a Lyon-specific caveat: formal application may be required. - **What it allows:** circulation inside Lyon ZFE regardless of Crit'Air class. - **Lyon-specific application:** the Métropole de Lyon administers derogation requests through the **Toodego portal** (toodego.com). Lyon's preferred implementation is to register VASP vehicles in advance rather than rely on "present registration at control." - **Where to find the classification:** French rigs — J.1 field on the Carte Grise. Foreign rigs — equivalent vehicle-category field on V5C / Fahrzeugschein / Permiso de Circulación. - **The Crit'Air sticker is still required.** Even with VASP via Toodego, the windscreen sticker must be displayed. - **Camera enforcement:** Lyon's camera enforcement is becoming systematic in H2 2026. For VASP-classified rigs, pre-registration via Toodego becomes more important once cameras are live. The VASP derogation is national across French ZFEs. Marseille (2021) uses the lightest implementation; Paris uses the same lighter pattern. Lyon is the most administrative — formal Toodego application is the recommended path. ## TL;DR — the four things to know 1. **Crit'Air 2 or better — the floor since Jan 2025.** Lyon was first; Paris followed in 2026. Excludes diesel motorhomes before 2011, petrol motorhomes before 2006. Crit'Air 2 ban planned for Jan 2028 (delayed from 2026). 2. **Active Mon-Fri 08:00–20:00.** Evenings, weekends, holidays free. 3. **The 5-commune perimeter.** Lyon, Caluire-et-Cuire, parts of Villeurbanne, Bron, Vénissieux inside the périphérique. Much smaller than Paris's 77 communes. 4. **Fines €135 / €450 + Croix-Rousse 3.5T limit.** €135 standard (€68 forfait minoré), €450 national pattern for over-3.5T. The Croix-Rousse tunnel has a separate 3.5T weight limit that bars heavy rigs regardless of Crit'Air class. ## What Lyon's ZFE is Camera-enforced low-emission zone administered by the Métropole de Lyon (Grand Lyon). No daily pass — access is gated by Crit'Air sticker class. Lyon was the first major French ZFE to bar Crit'Air 3 (1 January 2025; Paris followed exactly a year later). The 2026 Constitutional Council ruling that preserved French ZFEs applies to Lyon — the system is stable. ## Crit'Air classes — what's banned, when | Class | Sticker | Powertrain / vintage | Lyon ZFE 2026 | |---|---|---|---| | **Crit'Air 0** | Green | Electric | Allowed | | **Crit'Air 1** | Purple | Petrol Euro 5/6, hybrid, LPG | Allowed | | **Crit'Air 2** | Yellow | Petrol Euro 4 (2006-2010), Diesel Euro 5/6 (post-2011) | Allowed (banned from 1 Jan 2028) | | **Crit'Air 3** | Orange | Petrol Euro 2/3 (1997-2005), Diesel Euro 4 (2006-2010) | **Barred since 1 Jan 2025** | | **Crit'Air 4** | Maroon | Diesel Euro 3 (2001-2005) | Barred | | **Crit'Air 5** | Grey | Diesel Euro 2 (1997-2000) | Barred | | Unclassified | None | Pre-1997 | Barred | ## Lyon was first — the January 2025 ban Lyon became the first major French city to bar Crit'Air 3 on **1 January 2025**. Paris followed on 1 January 2026. The owners affected are the same: - Diesel motorhomes registered between 2006 and 2010 (Crit'Air 3). - Petrol motorhomes registered 1997-2005 (Crit'Air 3). For owners who visited Lyon during 2025: the fine pattern was real but uneven. By 2026 it is systematic. ## Forward calendar — the 2028 Crit'Air 2 ban The original Grand Lyon calendar set **1 January 2026** as the date for the Crit'Air 2 ban. That date was **delayed to 1 January 2028** under political pressure — motorhome and small-business owners were among the most vocal opponents. - **2026 floor:** Crit'Air 2 (diesel post-2011, petrol post-2010) — currently allowed. - **2028 floor (planned):** Crit'Air 1 and Crit'Air 0 only. - **Political risk:** the 2028 date may delay further. Motorhome lobby groups (FFCC, ACCCF) continue to oppose the broader Crit'Air 2 ban. ## Hours — weekdays 08:00–20:00 Same schedule as Paris ZFE. | Day | Active | |---|---| | **Monday – Friday** | 08:00 to 20:00 | | **Weekday evenings (20:00 – 08:00)** | free | | **Saturday + Sunday** | free, all day | | **French public holidays** | free, all day | Weekend Lyon visit with a barred Crit'Air class: possible if entry is after 20:00 Friday and departure before 08:00 Monday. ## The 5-commune perimeter | Commune | Coverage | |---|---| | **Lyon** | Full — all arrondissements | | **Caluire-et-Cuire** | Full — immediate north suburb | | **Villeurbanne** | Portions inside the périphérique | | **Bron** | Portions inside the périphérique | | **Vénissieux** | Portions inside the périphérique | Outside these communes — most of Greater Lyon's outer suburbs and the Rhône-Alpes region beyond — the ZFE does not apply. Canonical map at [zfe.grandlyon.com](https://zfe.grandlyon.com/zfe-grand-lyon/). ## The Croix-Rousse tunnel 3.5-tonne limit The **Croix-Rousse tunnel** has a **3.5-tonne weight limit** separate from the ZFE Crit'Air rules. Tunnel-specific dimension restriction, not emissions. - **What is barred:** any vehicle above 3.5 tonnes PTAC, regardless of Crit'Air sticker. - **Who this affects:** A-class motorhomes typically above 3.5T. Larger C-class rigs at the upper end may exceed. - **Surface alternatives:** signposted around the Croix-Rousse hill. West side via Saône embankments or east side via Pont Lafayette + Cours Lafayette both work for heavier motorhomes. - **Interaction with the ZFE:** a Crit'Air 2 motorhome at 4T cannot use the tunnel but can enter the ZFE via surface roads. A Crit'Air 3 motorhome at 2.5T can use the tunnel but cannot enter the ZFE on weekdays. Documented in the [Motorhome routing in France (2026)](https://rovee.io/topic/tall-van-france-routing/) page atlas. ## Fines — €135 standard, €450 over 3.5 tonnes | Vehicle mass | Base fine | |---|---| | **Under 3.5 tonnes** | **€135** (€68 forfait minoré with early payment) | | **Over 3.5 tonnes** | **up to €450** (national heavy-vehicle pattern) | PTAC on the registration document determines the tier. - **Late-pay penalty:** doubles if unpaid past the longer deadline (typically 45-60 days). - **Delivery:** by post 30-90 days after the trip, in French. The €68 forfait minoré is the practical lever — paying within the early window saves ~50% on the under-3.5T tier. ## What this means for a motorhome trip - **Rig Crit'Air class:** diesel post-2011 = Crit'Air 2 (allowed). Diesel 2006-2010 = Crit'Air 3 (barred since Jan 2025). Diesel pre-2006 = Crit'Air 4+ (barred). - **Rig weight + Croix-Rousse:** the tunnel weight limit is a separate constraint. Crit'Air-compliant rigs above 3.5T still cannot use the tunnel — plan a surface route around the Croix-Rousse hill. - **Routing rules:** 5-commune perimeter is small but central. Consumer maps route through the centre on east-west trips that cross the Rhône and Saône rivers without warning. ## Pick a nav app that knows the boundary - **Sygic Truck & Caravan** — €29.99/year Premium+ for CarPlay. ZFE/LEZ avoidance with Lyon in database; restricted-tunnel data covers Croix-Rousse. - **TomTom GO Navigation (Camper mode)** — £1.99/month. LEZ avoidance toggleable. - **CoPilot Caravan** — £25.99/year. Mature dimension-aware routing; no CarPlay. - **Rovee** (closed iPhone beta) — €17.99/year founding (first 1,000). Dimension routing + ZFE/LEZ alerts (Lyon ZFE included) + Croix-Rousse weight check + toll prediction + vignette warnings. ## FAQ ### Does my motorhome qualify for the VASP derogation in Lyon ZFE? Probably yes, with a Lyon-specific caveat. The French VASP classification covers motorhomes. Derogation allows circulation regardless of Crit'Air class. Lyon is more administrative than Paris or Marseille — the Métropole de Lyon administers derogation requests through the Toodego portal (toodego.com). For regular Lyon visitors, formal Toodego application is recommended over "present registration at control." Crit'Air sticker still required. ### What Crit'Air class do I need to enter Lyon in 2026 if my rig doesn't have VASP? Crit'Air 2 or better. Lyon banned Crit'Air 3 vehicles from 1 January 2025 — a full year before Paris. Practical effect on non-VASP rigs: diesel motorhomes pre-2011 and petrol motorhomes pre-2006 excluded during active hours. For VASP-classified rigs (most), the Crit'Air class does not bar entry under the derogation — but Lyon's Toodego application is recommended. ### Was Lyon ahead of Paris on the Crit'Air 3 ban? Yes. Lyon: 1 January 2025. Paris: 1 January 2026. Same owners affected — diesel registered 2006-2010 and petrol registered 1997-2005. ### What are Lyon ZFE hours in 2026? Monday to Friday 08:00 to 20:00 for both passenger and utility vehicles. Evenings, weekends, and French public holidays: free. Same as Paris ZFE. ### Where exactly is the Lyon ZFE perimeter? Lyon, Caluire-et-Cuire, and portions of Villeurbanne, Bron, and Vénissieux inside the périphérique. Smaller than Paris's 77 communes. Canonical map at [zfe.grandlyon.com](https://zfe.grandlyon.com/zfe-grand-lyon/). ### What is the Croix-Rousse tunnel weight limit and is it part of the ZFE? The Croix-Rousse tunnel has a 3.5-tonne weight limit separate from the ZFE — tunnel-specific dimension restriction. Most A-class motorhomes barred regardless of Crit'Air sticker. Surface alternatives around the Croix-Rousse hill are signposted. ### What is the Lyon ZFE fine for a motorhome? €135 for under-3.5T motorhomes (€68 with early-pay discount). Up to €450 for over-3.5T per the national heavy-vehicle pattern. The fine arrives by post 30-90 days after the trip. ### When does the next Crit'Air tightening happen in Lyon? Crit'Air 2 ban planned for 1 January 2028. Delayed from the original 2026 calendar under political pressure. The 2028 date may delay further. ### When can I get Rovee? Rovee is in closed iPhone beta in 2026, with public launch on Tuesday July 7, 2026. Founding-member access is capped at the first 1,000 members at €17.99/year locked for life as long as you stay subscribed. [Join the waitlist](https://rovee.io/#waitlist). ## Where this came from - **[Paris ZFE for motorhomes (2026)](https://rovee.io/topic/paris-zfe-motorhome/)**: sister French ZFE page. Same Crit'Air-gate mechanic; Paris applied the Crit'Air 3 ban exactly one year after Lyon. - **[Driving a motorhome to France: pre-trip checklist (2026)](https://rovee.io/topic/driving-motorhome-to-france-checklist/)**: pre-trip France preparation. - **[Motorhome routing in France (2026)](https://rovee.io/topic/tall-van-france-routing/)**: in-trip routing atlas including the Croix-Rousse 3.5T limit. - **[Milan Area C for motorhomes (2026)](https://rovee.io/topic/milan-area-c-motorhome/)**: Italian ZTL sister page. Different mechanic (daily ticket vs Crit'Air gate). - **[zfe.grandlyon.com](https://zfe.grandlyon.com/zfe-grand-lyon/)**: official Grand Lyon ZFE — canonical perimeter, current Crit'Air cut-off, forward calendar. - **[certificat-air.gouv.fr](https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/)**: official Crit'Air vignette portal. €3.72; 4-6 weeks international post.