France began to gradually lift its’ lockdown in May, and as of now, most shops, cafes, and restaurants are open again for business. Most hotels will be reopening on July 1st, and the French borders will be open to travelers from EU countries who want to visit. Right now, the only non-EU citizen allowed in either have a home here or have to come for work-related reasons.
Tourism is a big deal in France. According to an article in The Local, 9.7% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product comes from tourism, (both local and international). Last year, of the 90 million people who visited France, 4.8 million of them were American tourists, and most of them visited Paris. The French government now has some decisions to make about relaxing its borders to international travelers. It is likely that travelers from countries that have a lower number of COVID-19 cases will be the first to be let in. Travelers from high-risk countries such as the United States may be banned or required to be in quarantine for 2 weeks before entering, which would make vacation-time pretty much a wasted effort for our American friends.
A sign posted on a local bakery requesting a maximum of 4 customers at a time in the shop, and to maintain social distancing.
If you will be traveling to Paris soon it is good to know some of the rules that are in place. People are still being encouraged to work from home, if possible, and if you are on public transportation during rush hour, you must have a form with you stating that you are traveling specifically for work. Wearing a mask on public transport is compulsory, and people are abiding. When I took the metro a few days ago, I did not see a single person without a mask.
The smaller museums in the capital have reopened, as well as the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre is set to open soon. All have regulations and visitors are required to wear masks. Diners in restaurants must wear masks until they are seated. It is up to individual businesses to set their own policies about hygiene and you will see signs posted in shop windows or doors.
The Flavors of Paris tours are running, with a maximum of six people. Our guides are wearing masks for your protection and our clients are required to wear them also. The tastings on the food tours will be conducted outside wherever possible, and masks are not required during the tastings.
The travel policies in France are, to date, not decided. I recommend the best course of action if you are wanting to travel right now or in the near future is to check with your government website and check the travel advisories for the most current information.
Due to the regulations regarding the pandemic in France being in flux, these are some local news publications to keep up to date on the situation in France:
Stay in the know
In view of the pandemic, travel insurance is becoming increasingly important. We recommend that you consult this page to stay aware of possible travel insurance plans covered by your credit card provider, as many offer this as one of their benefits. Consult this guide to find out what’s included in travel insurance and how to assess what coverage you need based on your trip type, destination, and length.
