You want to visit France in the next few months and you are wondering wether you will be able to enter the country, eat in restaurants, visit museums, do some shopping, go to concerts…Of course you will!

Please find here after all the information you need about visiting France in the near future:

ENTERING FRENCH TERRITORY

Are France’s borders closed?
No, the borders are not closed, but the President of the French Republic has decided to establish
systematic checks at entry points to the French territory (road, rail, port and airport crossing points).

What are the implications of the restoration of border controls (required documents)?
The documents that must be presented during border controls are the same as those usually required
for nationals of your country. However, delays are to be expected in airports and stations served by
international services (Thalys, Eurostar, etc.).

Do Europeans need their passports to enter France?
Citizens of European Union Member States need a valid identity document (ID card or passport).
Generally, the documents required to enter France are the same as usual.

Is my visa still valid?
Yes, the visas issued prior to the establishment of border controls remain valid to enter France.
Are there delays in visa issuance?
The French consular services are doing their best to ensure that visas are issued in the same timeframes
as usual.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND SHOPPING

Are tourist attractions, museums and monuments open?
All public cultural establishments in Paris, the Île-de-France and France more generally are open.
Open sites include, non-exhaustively: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Château de Versailles,
Disneyland Paris, Grand Palais, Centre Georges Pompidou, Notre Dame de Paris, Paris Lido, Crazy
Horse, Bateaux Parisiens, and the Moulin Rouge.
If required by the situation, the Prefect of Police may order the exceptional closure of certain
establishments in order to ensure public safety.

Are concerts and shows cancelled?
In principle, scheduled shows and concerts will go ahead and venues will be open, unless the
organizers or prefecture decide otherwise. The sector federations have announced enhanced security
measures. The responsibility for the organization and safety of the event is incumbent upon the
operator and organizer.
Security measures, including access controls and entry sscreenings, are being enhanced to ensure the
greatest safety of audiences, performers and works.

Are shops open?
All shops are open, including Grands Magasins and major shopping centres

HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

Are their special measures in French hotels?
As provided for in French law, hotels are required to ask all foreign customers to complete an
individual police form (Article 6 of the Decree of 18 August 2015).
Moreover, each establishment has the right to carry out security checks.

Are their restrictions on the opening of restaurants, bars and clubs?
No. Restaurants, bars and clubs are open and operating normally

SECURITY

What steps have been taken to enhance the safety of tourists?
The public authorities and tourism professionals have made safety a national priority:
– A state of emergency has been declared by the President of the French Republic, conferring
upon civil authorities extended policing powers in order to ensure the safety of the French
population and of tourists. It was initially valid for twelve days, and has been extended for
three months;
– The state of emergency does not mean that a curfew has been declared. Generally, the
measures implemented aim to strengthen security and have no impact on the quality of the
experience of foreign tourists in France;
– Police and gendarmerie reinforcements have been deployed across France. In the Paris region
alone, about 3000 soldiers have been deployed to reinforce those already in place. Eventually,
more than 5000 additional police and gendarmes will ensure security;
– Inspections and staff levels will be increased in public transport and around sites receiving the
public, including tourist attractions (three-fold increase in staffing at Parisian sites);
– Lastly, the representatives of the tourism sector have announced the recruitment of additional
security staff in order to ensure the safety of visitors.

TRANSPORT

Are there travel restrictions within France?
There are no general travel restrictions on travel and journeys. Short-term restrictive measures may
however be taken by the prefects of individual geographic Departments.
However, law enforcement forces may carry out checks on people and luggage. They also reserve the
right to prohibit the carriage of certain personal effects considered dangerous.

Are domestic transport services running?
Air and rail connections are operating and running normally. National and international train services
are thus operating a normal service.
Boarding checks have been stepped up for flights and the access to international rail services.
Additional delays are to be expected.
In Paris, the metro, buses, trams and suburban rail services (RER) are operating normally, and stations
are open. Surveillance and control measures have been enhanced generally in public transport.

Are flights to and from France cancelled?
We have not seen any cancellation of flights since 13 November.

GROUPS

Is there any specific advice for groups?
No specific restrictions have been placed on groups of travellers, who must however comply with the
general instructions given by the public authorities.

Can coaches and buses park normally?
There are no specific instructions regarding bus and coach parks. In some rare cases, certain tourist
sites have moved their parking towards replacement areas nearby, which are clearly indicated.

Don’t forget to enjoy your trip!