This information is only available as advice.
Ultimately, always check with the French consulate in your state.
French Consulate in Atlanta (External link)
French Consulate in Boston (External link)
French Consulate in Chicago (External link)
French Consulate in Houston (External link)
French Consulate in Los Angeles (External link)
French Consulate in Miami (External link)
French Consulate in New Orleans (External link)
French Consulate in New-York (External link)
French Consulate in San Francisco (External link)
French Consulate in Washington (External link)
KEY CONTACTS
Paris Tourist Office: www.parisinfo.com
traveltrade@parisinfo.com - +33 1 49 52 42 68
Trains: www.voyages-sncf.com (External link)
Metro station: www.ratp.fr (External link)
Aéroports de Paris (Paris airports authority): www.aeroportsdeparis.fr (External link)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr (External link)
Paris City Hall: www.paris.fr in case of emergency
Emergency ambulance: 15
Police emergencies: 17
Fire brigade: 18
General emergency services: 112
ENTERING FRENCH TERRITORY:
Are France's borders closed?
No, the bordersare not closed, but the President of the French Republic has decided toestablish systematic checks at entry points to the French territory (road,rail, port and airport crossing points).
What are the implications of the restoration ofborder controls (required documents)?
The documentsthat must be presented during border controls are the same as those usuallyrequired for nationals of your country. However, longer waiting times are to beexpected in airports and stations served by international services (Thalys,Eurostar, etc.). Waiting time for controls in Paris airports remain reasonable,at less than 45 minutes.
Do Europeans need their passports to enter France?
Citizens of EuropeanUnion 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 visasissued prior to the establishment of border controls remain valid to enterFrance.
Are there delays in visa issuance?
Visa issuancetimes remain unchanged compared to the period prior to 13 November.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND SHOPPING
Are tourist attractions, museums and monuments open?
All publiccultural establishments in Paris, the Île-de-France and France more generallyare open.
Opensites include, non-exhaustively: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Château deVersailles, Disneyland Paris, Grand Palais, Centre Georges Pompidou, Notre Damede Paris, Paris Lido, Crazy Horse, Bateaux Parisiens, and the Moulin Rouge.
Security andcontrols have been enhanced at the entrance to major monuments, but do notresult in additional waiting times of more than 15 minutes compared tonormal times.
Are foreign tourists visiting France?
More than 80% offoreign tourists have decided to confirm visits already reserved prior to theevents. Reservations across France remain considerable. France remains theworld’s most visited country
Are concerts and shows cancelled?
In principle,scheduled shows and concerts will go ahead and venues will be open, unless theorganizers or prefecture decide otherwise. The sector federations haveannounced enhanced security measures. Theresponsibility for the organization and safety of the event is incumbent uponthe operator and organizer.
Securitymeasures, including access controls and entry screenings, are being enhanced toensure the safety of audiences, performers and works.
Are shops open?
All shops areopen, including Grands Magasins and major shopping centres. Certain shoppingareas popular with tourists are now open on Sundays.
HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS
Are their special measures in French hotels?
As provided forin French law, hotels are required to ask all foreign customers to complete anindividual police form (Article 6 of the Decree of18 August 2015).
Moreover, eachestablishment has the right to carry out security checks.
Are their restrictions on the opening ofrestaurants, bars and clubs?
No. Restaurants, barsand clubs are open and operating normally.
Under what circumstances can I postpone my visit?
It is best tocontact the supplier (hotel, tours, etc.), which will indicate the procedure tofollow. Flexibility has been allowed to give tourists greater leeway indecision-making.
EVENTS, FAIRS AND TRADE SHOWS
Are public events going ahead?
Yes.
In particular,Christmas markets will take place in Paris, Strasbourg, Colmar and many otherFrench cities.
The 31 December facilities will be organized so as toallow them to be held in optimal security conditions.
Will conferences and trade shows go ahead?
The UnitedNations Climate Conference (COP21) received 150 Heads of State andGovernment, as well as 40,000 visitors from 195 countries from30 November to 12 December. Trade fairs and conferences will goahead, with enhanced security measures. Several major fairs, includinginternational ones, have taken place in Paris recently in perfect conditions,including the Salon de l'énergie éolienne (Wind Energy Fair), theSalon duCheval (Horse Fair) and the Salon nautique international (InternationalNautical Fair).
SECURITY
What steps have been taken to enhance the safety oftourists?
The publicauthorities and tourism professionals have made safety a national priority:
- A state of emergency has been declared by thePresident of the French Republic, conferring upon civil authorities extendedpolicing powers in order to ensure the safety of the French population and oftourists. It was initially valid for twelve days, and has been extended forthree months;
- The state of emergency does not mean that a curfewhas been declared. Generally, the measures implemented aim to strengthensecurity and have no impact on the quality of the experience of foreign touristsin France;
- Police and gendarmerie reinforcements have beendeployed across France. In the Paris region alone, about 3000 soldiershave been deployed to reinforce those already in place. Eventually, more than5000 additional police and gendarmes will ensure security;
- Inspections and staff levels will be increased inpublic transport and around sites receiving the public, including touristattractions (three-fold increase in staffing at Parisian sites);
- Lastly, the representatives of the tourism sectorhave announced the recruitment of additional security staff in order to ensurethe safety of visitors.
TRANSPORT
Are there travel restrictions withinFrance?
Thereare no general travel restrictions on travel and journeys. Short-termrestrictive measures may however be taken by the prefects of individualgeographic Departments.
However,law enforcement forces may carry out checks on people and luggage. They alsoreserve the right to prohibit the carriage of certain personal effectsconsidered dangerous.
Are domestic transport services running?
Air and railconnections are operating and running normally. National and internationaltrain services are thus operating a normal service.
Boarding checkshave been stepped up for flights and the access to international rail services.Additional delays are to be expected.
In Paris, themetro, buses, trams and suburban rail services (RER) are operating normally,and stations are open. Surveillance and control measures have been enhancedgenerally in public transport.
Are flights to and from France cancelled?
We have not seenany cancellation of flights since 13 November.
GROUPS
Is there any specific advice for groups?
No specificrestrictions have been placed on groups of travellers, who must however complywith the general instructions given by the public authorities. School trips are authorized.
Can coaches and buses park normally?
There are nospecific instructions regarding bus and coach parks. In some rare cases,certain tourist sites have moved their parking towards replacement areasnearby, which are clearly indicated.