No new measures, but caution.
Just before the start of the school holidays, the government this Thursday renewed its calls for vigilance during its press conference, against the background of the progression of the more contagious variants of the coronavirus.
Here is what you need to know before setting off.
READ ALSO>
Winter holidays: this year, the French will stay at home or will not go far
Can we travel wherever we want in France?
It is quite possible to go to the other end of the metropolis and spend as much time there as you want, mountainous areas and winter sports resorts included, even if the ski lifts remain at the hotel. stop.
Be careful though with the times chosen for travel because the curfew from 6 p.m. remains in effect.
No problem if the trip is by plane or train, the ticket is valid as proof to justify a trip that would exceed the time limit.
However, there is no tolerance for journeys by car.
If one can move almost freely in metropolitan France, it is impossible on the other hand to do so for a pleasure trip to the overseas departments and territories, unless there is a compelling reason.
Which foreign countries remain open to tourism?
Unless there is still a compelling reason, and as for the French overseas departments and territories, it is impossible to jump on a plane to spend a few days in a country outside of Europe.
Within the borders of the Union, only a handful of countries continue to accept foreign tourists without special health conditions (PCR test and / or quarantine on arrival).
This is the case of Portugal (with the exception of the islands of Madeira and the Azores) but it is strongly advised not to go there given the outbreak of the epidemic that the country is facing.
The Swiss ski resorts (here, Zermatt) like the border remain open, under certain conditions.
LP
You can also go to Sweden, Serbia, Albania or Switzerland.
The Swiss authorities however impose a negative PCR test of less than three days and a quarantine of ten days on arrival for travelers coming from the Paca region.
Elsewhere in Europe, the rule is either complete closure (Denmark, Cyprus, Hungary, Norway, etc.) or strict health control (Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.) with the mandatory presentation of a negative PCR test and / or isolation once there for seven, ten or even fourteen days.
What are the reimbursement conditions?
It's all about negotiation.
For a stay booked through a travel agency, reimbursement (with fees) is possible although customers are instead invited to keep a credit note and postpone the stay.
For rentals between individuals, especially via platforms such as Airbnb or Booking, it all depends on the formula chosen and the conditions (with or without cancellation option and until what date, with or without fees…).
Airline tickets purchased directly from an airline will be more complicated to be reimbursed in full, because even the closure of borders or the obligation of "compelling reason" to travel do not constitute, in air law, “Exceptional circumstances” as long as the reserved flight is maintained.
Is it reasonable to leave at the last minute?
Booking a stay or renting accommodation just two or three days before leaving is always a gamble.
The context is however largely favorable to the “last minute” option.
First, because the supply is much greater than the demand, but also because it makes it possible to decide on the new measures that could be taken by the public authorities.
Restrictions that can change quickly, from one day or from one week to another, depending on the health situation.