Snow, ice: Paris La Défense prepares for extreme cold weather

Since 14 November 2025, Paris La Défense has activated its extreme cold weather plan. In response to the recent drop in temperatures, the public institution is using this plan to ensure traffic safety. 

Until 16 March 2026, Paris La Défense is standing by to maintain traffic safety in the event of snowfall or black ice.
 

Paris La Défense is the developer and manager of the area's 31 hectares and 20 km of roads. To ensure the safety of users, the public institution has stockpiled more than 100 tonnes of de-icing salt, the product used to salt the roads for several weeks, and has distributed it to 120 strategic points to serve the various neighbourhoods.

Before the first bad weather arrives, a preventive treatment is deployed to prevent ice from forming and snow from sticking to the ground. The second step is to prevent the ground from becoming slippery and snow from accumulating with a curative treatment.

Throughout the Winter Maintenance Plan period, Paris La Défense teams provide a 24/7 on-call service, collaborating for the third year with ESV (Europe Service Voirie). 

The on-call service is provided by:

• 11 agents on call 24 hours a day;
• 6 light vehicles for use in pedestrian areas;
• 1 adaptable sweeper for the cycle paths on the circular boulevard;
• 1 heavy goods vehicle for use on fire lanes and roads.

If necessary, Paris La Défense can call on ESV for reinforcements. 44 people are equipped to deal with pedestrian areas.

The concert hall contributes to this extreme cold weather plan, in partnership with the Red Cross, by opening its doors in the event of shelter operations during periods of extreme cold. Paris La Défense Arena could therefore open a winter survival centre, depending on availability, to provide shelter for around 30 isolated people.