dmu

I've started this thread to serve as general info for would-be travellers to refer to.
There's been a flurry of threads in the Spain/Portugal forums, with potential expats wishing to travel through France to look for rentals in those countries and "secure residence" before the deadline. And by members wishing to return to the UK via France. And, of course, future expats who'll be travelling within France....
It isn't clear whether they all understand that France is under lockdown again and that Attestations must be filled in and signed whenever (literally) we go out. People returning "home" to their principal place of residence, either an EU country or the UK, armed with proof of residency, should be covered by the International Attestation (yet to be updated), but those who are simply "looking to relocate" in an EU country are not.
Those with "derogation" who are allowed to transit through France may also be unaware that cafés/restaurants/bars are closed, and that they must cater for themselves from one border to the other. At the time of writing, I can't say what the Situation is this time, but during the first confinement, some hotel chains were open near the autoroutes, but only provided room service (breakfast).
The rules and regulations will be changing, so please add new info, as and when, if possible with official links.
As implied, this thread will avoid having to repeat the same info xx times....

dmu

I've just read on the Spain forum that take-away food is available at petrol stations on the autoroutes.

dmu

An up-date after the French PM's declaration this evening. The confinement regulations will remain unchanged for another fortnight, after which there'll be another declaration as to the regulations applicable on 1st December. One thing is sure, the Attestations will continue to be necessary when travelling within France and restaurants/cafés/bars will remain closed.
The Situation in December depends on whether or not this second confinement has successfully reduced the Covid figures - we'll know in two weeks' time...

Annetje

Thanks for the updates !

dmu

Prés. Macron is making a declaration on TV next Tuesday at 20h00, concerning the (partial) deconfinement expected at the end of the month.

dmu

Prés. Macron duly made his declaration. The only point which concerns people travelling within France is that confinement will continue until 15th December, after which there'll be a curfew between 21h00 and 7h00 except for the evenings of 24th and 31st December. This date depends on the Covid figures and might well be postponed if they haven't gone down sufficiently by then.
Therefore, at the time of writing, no transiting through France before 15th December 2020......
And as suspected, restaurants/cafés/bars will remain closed until well into January.

dmu

An update after the PM's Statement this morning.
"Normally" it will be possible to travel abroad after 15th December, but since the Situation can change from one day to the next, cross-border travellers should consult the pertinent official Govt. sites for up-to-date conditions.

dmu

After the PM's press conference yesterday, not much change for travellers transiting or holidaying in France as from 15th December, except that the curfew will start earlier than expected (20h00 instead of 21h00) and will be applicable to 31st December. A new Attestation will be available for those obliged to go out during curfew. This won't cover travelling for pleasure....
Restaurants, etc... and ski-lifts will remain closed, and cinemas, etc... won't reopen on the 15th.

dmu

An update for any one hoping to drive from the UK to Spain, Portugal, etc... through France.
Firstly, there'll be a curfew from 18h00 as from this coming Saturday, for at least 15 days. Travelling for pleasure won't be included in the Attestation.
Travellers from the UK must present a negative Covid-test before embarking on the ferry (and presumably the Shuttle, although it wasn't specified), and must quarantine for 7 days (at the point of arrival), before doing another Covid test.
Definitely not the moment to travel from UK to France....

dmu

Found this up-to-date link (on another forum):
An Attestation which is to be filled in and signed by every traveller before leaving the UK for France. Scroll down to "Attestation pour un voyageur provenant du Royaume Uni" and download/print out the French version, after having checked the English version if necessary, and tick the third or fourth box depending on your status.
https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actual...t-et-de-voyage
HTH

dmu

For all those hoping to transit through France on their way to Spain, Portugal, Italy....., the French PM announced this evening (Friday) that the French borders will be closed to all non-EU countries to and from France, as from Sunday 00h00, except for compelling/urgent reasons.

dmu

An update on the Situation in France for those who are hoping to get over a border into France.
The nationwide 18h00 curfew continues.
The whole Pas-de-Calais département (including the town of Calais) will go into confinement during weekends, starting tomorrow after curfew.

spouse of scouse

I've just read this on the BBC news site so thought I'd put it here.

France is to ease restrictions on travel to and from seven countries outside the EU, including the UK.

The foreign ministry said a "compelling reason" was no longer needed for travel to Australia, Israel, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand and Britain.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56364290

EuroTrash

I wonder if the 7 days' quarantine on arrival will still apply.

dmu

Thanks for that, will check the French News to confirm!
For those transiting through France, remember that the 18h00 nationwide curfew is still on....