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France Reopening To Tourists: Everything You Need To Know

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The Prime Minister of France has announced on Twitter that the country will begin reopening to tourists starting on June 15th. 

"Inside Europe, the pandemic is slowing down: France will be in favor of reopening the internal borders of Europe from June 15 if the health situation allows, with no 14 day quarantine for travelers from European countries.

Building In Paris France (1)

Important:
A Newer version of this article now exists at “Countries Allowed To Travel To France” Please go there for the most current and updated France travel info. 

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that France will initially allow countries from Europe to enter the country without a 14 day quarantine. 

Travelers within Europe will be able to visit France without any quarantine or restrictions starting on June 15th. 

The United Kingdom was also granted entry on June 15 with the other EU nations, but under the assumption of reciprocity. Since the UK was not allowing French travellers in without a 14-day isolation period, France also put UK on a 14-day isolation period. As of July 10th, the UK is now dropping the 14-day isolation period for France, so it’s likely France will respond with the same update.

Spain was granted entry a few days later, on June 22.

eiffel tower in france (1)

Countries that will be permitted to visit France without a 14 day quarantine starting on June 15th:

Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Republic of Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

last updated: July 3 

Nice France Beach Packed with tourists

Breaking Update June 15: 

The Ministry of the Interior of France announced that on July 1st they will consider reopening borders to NON-EU/Schengen nations. 

“In accordance with the recommendations of the European Commission presented yesterday and inspired by the French proposals, France will also proceed to a gradual opening of its Schengen external borders from July 1. This opening will take place gradually and differently depending on the health situation of the different third countries, and in accordance with the procedures which will have been adopted at European level by then.”

France Reopening To Tourists Everything You Need To Know

Breaking Update: July 3

Third-Party Countries Permitted Into France

On June 30th, The EU published the list of approved ‘safe’ countries that will be allowed to travel to the European Union for the purpose of tourism starting on July 1st, 2020. 

France has responded favourably to the EU’s suggestion by planning to open borders to all of the 15 approved countries, starting on July 1, 2020.  

In line with EU guidelines, France will lift entry restrictions for the following third-party countries July 1:

Absent from this list are Ireland, as it already exists on the current countries allowed to visit, and China, which at this time is only included if they also allow French tourists in.

This list of countries is to be regularly updated, at least every two weeks.

As of June 2, bars and restaurants have reopened, as well as some museums, theatres, parks, beaches and cultural attractions. 

In Paris, only the restaurant terrasses are allowed to open, but some have been allowed to spread out onto the streets, and they are already packed. 

Parisians are flocking to their favourite sidewalk cafés for a cup of coffee with friends (respecting the proper social distancing measures). 

Swimming pools, beaches and museums will also be allowed to reopen across France today. 

Cafe in france reopened

For the French, June 2nd also marks the end of the ban on travelling to a destination further than 100km from one’s residence.

Campgrounds and hotels in the green zones are also permitted to reopen starting today.  

Hotel on street in paris france

The iconic Louvre museum will reopen on July 6 after closing back in March and will require visitors to book time slots in advance, according to officials. Wearing a mask inside will be mandatory as well. 

“The Louvre is happy to announce that it will be reopening its doors after these weeks of quarantine that we have all endured,” Jean-Luc Martinez, the president-director of the Musée du Louvre, said in a statement.“

the louvre in france

“Visiting conditions will be adapted to adhere strictly to the recommendations made by health authorities, as we want everyone to feel safe at the Louvre, whether they are coming for work or pleasure.

France has recorded more than 189,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, behind the UK, Spain, and Italy in Europe, according to Johns Hopkins

Last month, the country started lifting its lockdown, allowing people to leave their homes and many to return to work with social distancing in mind.

Tourists wearing masks walking street in france

More Reopening From July 11

From July 11, which marks the end of the state of health emergency in mainland France:

  • River cruises will be permitted again; in coordination with other EU countries, it may be decided to resume sea cruises between European ports for vessels whose capacity does not exceed certain limits
  • Stadiums and racetracks will reopen to the public, with a maximum capacity of 5,000 people. As with performance halls, activities involving over 1,500 people must be pre-declared so that the necessary precautions can be guaranteed
  • The maximum capacity of 5,000 people for major events, stadiums and performance halls will remain in effect until September 1
  • Nightclubs remain closed until further notice

Read More: See more on which countries can now visit France. also, want to see what other countries are open? Read our complete list of countries now reopen for tourism

Additional Sources: Government of France

Disclaimer: France’s reopening news is ever-changing and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.

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Daniel Silva Leite

Friday 31st of July 2020

Has anyone actually managed to go to France using the 14days based on location rule? I'm a resident on the UAE and I'm considering going to Croatia for 16 days and then go to France. Anyone have any more info into that?

Thanks

L

Monday 27th of July 2020

Hello, What is your source for the statement regarding "physical location for the last 14-days"? I have not seen that anywhere else including an assortment of consulate websites. Some websites report that nationality does not matter, but that residency status does matter. You seem to be saying that if I go to England from the US, and stay in England for 14 days, I can then go to France and be admitted - even though I am not a resident of England or the EU. Is that correct? Thank you.

Kashlee Kucheran

Monday 27th of July 2020

In an exact quote from the Canadian embassy in France: “From July 1, people from Canada, regardless of their nationality, are now admitted to French territory, particularly for tourist reasons, with a valid passport.”

Travelers from the two above approved lists of countries, as long as they are coming from said countries and have been in said countries for at least 14 days, and are traveling with valid documents, should be granted entry into France.

As seen on this article (Click HERE to read)

However, these things are very fluid and unpredictable and you should always confirm with your consulate before traveling

I only obtained a quote about 3rd party countries that were EU approved, and not outside 3rd party countries like the USA. (as the USA is banned at this time) It doesn't mean that a US resident who has been in an approved country will not gain entry, as they very well may, but you'll need to verify for sure.

C

Thursday 23rd of July 2020

Is entry on France based on Citizenship, or Location for the past 14 days?

Kashlee Kucheran

Thursday 23rd of July 2020

We have a section answering that on our most recent France article (Click HERE to read)

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