On Monday the number of cars on the road in Paris will be cut in half - only motorists with odd-numbered plates will be allowed to drive.
Public transportation will be free as well car-sharing and bike-sharing programmes.
Similar measures were put in place last year when pollution soared in Paris.
The city saw a severe spike in smog on Wednesday last week and briefly had the world's dirtiest air, AP news agency reported quoting Plume Labs, a monitoring company.
The mayor's office announced at the weekend that alternating number plate measures would be implemented on Monday, with exceptions for electric or hybrid vehicles as well as emergency vehicles.
Public transport is free on Monday in Paris and surrounding towns to try to entice drivers to leave their cars at home.
About 750 police officers were being mobilised in the city and its suburbs to enforce the traffic restrictions which went into effect at 05:30 local time (04:30 GMT), Le Monde newspaper reported.
Other cities are also imposing various restrictions.

Stenson won his first major on Sunday with a record-low total at Royal Troon.
Compatriot Ibrahimovic, 34, is one of sport's most iconic figures and has won trophies in Spain, Italy and France.
"I think I said I needed to win 10 majors to get up to his recognition," said Stenson, 40. "Maybe five will do it. We'll see! One at a time."
Ibrahimovic recently signed for Manchester United after scoring 50 goals in 51 matches for French champions Paris St-Germain last season.
He also won 12 trophies in four seasons with the French club.
Stenson has little time to savour his Open win given the fourth major of the year, the USPGA Championship, starts at Baltusrol on 28 July.
"This is huge back home and it has been quite chaotic with all the media, but it's all good and I'm just going to try to recharge," he said.
The world's top four players - Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson - have all withdrawn from next month's Rio Olympics.
They have cited concerns over the Zika virus, which has been linked to defects in newborn babies and also found to cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that leads to temporary paralysis in adults.
Stenson, now fifth in the world rankings, said he is looking forward to competing in Rio in what is golf's first appearance at the Olympics for 112 years.
"I'm a huge sporting fan in general and to see an Olympic Games from the inside and participate is going to be huge," he told BBC Radio 5 live.
"If I can do myself and my country proud by bringing home a medal, that would be awesome. I've got a Claret Jug now and any Olympic medal would be quite nice to put next to it in the trophy cabinet."
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Stenson birdied four of his final five holes at Royal Troon and had 10 in total in a round of 63 to finish three shots clear of American Phil Mickelson.
"I was so zoned in the last five holes I didn't know how many birdies I had made in that round," said Stenson.
"I was so focused on getting the job done, it was not until I had that birdie putt at the last that I could let go and realise I've done the achievement of my career.
"It was just an added bonus for that putt to drop and set a new Open record, but it was all about bringing that Claret Jug home to Sweden and be the first Swedish male to win a major championship.
"It's huge and it's going to get better and better with time I'm sure."
The French authorities have introduced measures to combat a sharp increase in pollution affecting Paris and other cities in northern France.
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Open champion Henrik Stenson says he may need nine more majors before he can be compared to another Swedish sporting legend - footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.