The roads of Paris were completely free of cars on Sunday with only emergency vehicles, buses and taxis allowed.

The French capital has experimented with car bans before but this marked the first time the whole city allowed pedestrians the chance to avoid dodging traffic and breathing in petrol fumes.

As she strolled near the Place de la Republique, Maxime Denis: "It's nice for the air quality, for enjoying the city centre."

Another Parisian, Francois Boillat said: "As a Parisian I only use public transport all the time, even though I have a car buried in a sixth basement car park and I barely use it. It is a bit stupid. I should sell it."

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo was elected on a promise to curb air pollution and reduce car traffic in the French capital where vehicle emissions are often high.


Image: People got on their bikes in the French capital

The car-free day created a potential headache for the organisers of Paris fashion week, who rely on trucks to install stages and lavish sets.

Worried fashion houses like Valentino sent out numerous email reminders to guests who planned to arrive by car, reminding them to use alternative transport.