France
Warnings and insurance
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Arson incident outside synagogue in La Grande-Motte
We are aware of reports of an explosion outside a synagogue in La Grande-Motte, near Montpellier, on 24 August 2024. You should be vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about the risks of travel, to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Update history
2024-10-15 10:01
Addition of information about border controls at Germany’s land borders (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2024-10-01 14:29
New information about winter tyres and chains (See ‘Transport risks’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-09-05 13:15
Information on the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), planned to be introduced from November 2024 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-08-27 16:14
Removal of information about an incident in La Grande-Motte on 24 August
2024-08-24 21:13
Additional information added about security (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-08-24 15:41
Addition of information about an arson incident outside a synagogue in La Grande-Motte (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2024-08-16 15:33
Updated information on the Paris 2024 Paralympic games (‘Paris 2024 Paralympic games’ page).
2024-07-29 10:50
Removal of information on French rail network disruption on 29 July (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-26 09:20
Added information on French rail network disruption (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-07-19 16:23
New information about travel restrictions ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony (See ‘Transport to the event’ on the ‘Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ page’).
2024-07-09 10:57
Removal of information about elections on 7 July (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-07-04 10:41
Updated information about industrial action and demonstrations (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-28 16:44
Updated information about industrial action and demonstrations (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-06-26 12:56
New information on visiting France for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (‘Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ page).
2024-06-07 15:24
Updated information on potential travel disruption due to industrial action (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-23 16:41
Information on D-Day commemoration events between 5 and 7 June (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-05-01 10:12
Removal of information on disruption to flights across France on 25 April (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-24 17:56
Updated advice on disruption to flights across France on Thursday 25 April 2024
2024-02-20 15:57
Removal of information on SNCF train strikes (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-02-15 18:31
Updated advice on industrial action affecting train services (Warnings and insurance page)
2024-01-30 16:18
Routine update on the risks of terrorism (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-29 16:19
additional information on industrial action and demonstrations (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2024-01-25 17:01
Information on the farmers’ protests across France (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-01 13:03
Removal of New Years Eve Eurostar disruptions
2023-12-31 12:19
Information on Eurostar service following track closures near London on 30 December. Eurostar has announced trains have resumed on 31 December. (Warnings and Insurance Page)
2023-12-30 12:09
Following track closures near London, Eurostar services are disrupted throughout today (30/12/23) with many services cancelled. Please check Eurostar’s advice before travelling.
2023-12-22 09:26
Removal of information about Eurotunnel travel disruption (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-12-21 15:49
Information about Eurotunnel travel disruption (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-12-04 15:47
Removal of information about an attack in Paris (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)
2023-12-02 23:57
Information following an attack in Paris
2023-11-10 16:17
Information about demonstrations in France (‘Warnings and insurance’ Page).
2023-11-05 07:34
Removal of information about Storm Ciaran
2023-11-02 15:58
Information about transport disruption caused by adverse weather (On the ‘Warnings and insurance’ page and under ‘Extreme weather and natural disasters’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-27 15:15
Amendment to information about pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which are no longer banned by the French government (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page).
2023-10-20 14:12
Information about dengue fever (‘Health’ page).
2023-10-19 15:51
Information on heightened security checks and possible evacuations of crowded places (Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-10-16 14:01
Removal of information about strikes, and update to the French threat level increase (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-10-13 21:19
Update to the Terrorism section – French Threat Level increase.
2023-10-13 15:06
Information about an attack in Arras; demonstrations; and strikes on Friday 13 October that may cause travel disruption (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-10-13 10:24
Information about strikes on Friday 13 October and possible travel disruption (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-09-04 11:24
Stylistic changes to the Rugby World Cup page (‘Rugby World Cup 2023’ page).
2023-08-10 15:27
Information on the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France (‘Rugby World Cup 2023’ page).
2023-07-25 10:07
Information on the upcoming Rugby World Cup (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-07-20 18:34
Addition of advice about summer travel (Warnings and insurance).
2023-07-18 13:16
This travel advice has been updated to remove advice about riots in June and July (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2023-07-10 17:05
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-07-07 14:37
Information on riots in France (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-30 12:27
Updated information about riots across France (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-29 14:46
Information on protests that are opposed to the government in Iran (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-29 09:46
Information about protests in France (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-26 10:42
Removal of information about an incident that occurred in Paris on 21 June (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-22 10:19
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-21 18:13
Information regarding an incident in Paris on 21 June (‘Summary’ page)
2023-06-12 14:34
Removal of information regarding incident on 8 June in Annecy.
2023-06-08 13:25
Information on an attack in Annecy, South East France (‘Summary’ page)
2023-05-09 15:03
Information on upcoming scheduled strike days (‘Summary’ page). Advice on altitude sickness (‘Health’ page), and having appropriate insurance for travelling to mountainous areas (‘Safety and security’ page). Plus editorial changes throughout the France page.
2023-04-21 16:29
Updated information on possible travel disruption due to UK Border Force strike action on Friday 28 April (‘Summary’ page).
2023-04-19 16:29
Updated information on demonstrations and coordinated strike action that could affect transport networks on Thursday 20 April and Monday 1 May (‘Summary’ page).
2023-04-11 16:52
Updated information on demonstrations and coordinated strike action that could affect transport networks on Thursday 13 April (‘Summary’ page).
2023-04-06 16:30
Updated information on Easter bank holiday cross-Channel traffic (‘Summary’ page).
2023-04-04 16:36
Updated information on Easter bank holiday cross-channel traffic (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-29 16:59
Updated information on protests in central Paris and elsewhere in France (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-24 16:17
Updated information on protests in central Paris and elsewhere in France (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-16 20:48
Updated information on demonstrations in France (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-08 12:17
Updated information on strike action in France (‘Summary’ page).
2023-03-03 16:12
Updated information on strike action in France (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-21 13:01
Updated information on strike action in France (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-17 16:21
Updated information on COVID-19 travel restrictions for travellers entering France from China (‘Entry Requirements’ page).
2023-02-14 16:22
Updated information on French strike action and demonstrations on 16 February and 7 March, and UK Border Force strike action between 17 and 20 February (‘Summary ‘ page).
2023-02-13 13:17
Updated information on specific strike action and demonstrations on 16 February and 7 March (‘Summary ‘ page).
2023-02-08 11:57
Updated information on Coronavirus restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2023-02-02 15:34
Updated information on specific strike action and demonstrations on 7 and 11 February (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-30 16:23
Updated information on specific strike action and demonstrations on 31 January (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-25 10:45
Update on specific strike action and demonstrations on 31 January (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-23 09:57
Removal of information about specific travel disruptions (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-18 11:30
Addition of information about potential travel disruption (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-16 10:18
Removal of information on incident at Gare Du Nord train station in Paris (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-11 11:51
New information on incident at Gare Du Nord train station in Paris (‘Summary’ page).
2023-01-04 09:53
New information on requirements for travelling to France from China (‘Entry Requirements’ page).
2022-12-29 11:35
Removal of information about a shooting in Paris that took place on 23 December (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-23 14:23
Updated information related to a fatal shooting in Paris (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-16 16:05
Updated information related to strike action (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-12 14:19
Updated information related to strike action (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-10 11:56
Addition of information about Eurostar security staff strike action (‘Summary’ page)
2022-12-09 18:01
Addition of information about Eurostar security staff strike action (‘Summary’ page).
2022-10-24 12:10
Updated information on recent strike action causing fuel shortages (‘Summary’ page).
2022-10-14 18:24
Updated information on multi-sector strike action causing potential travel disruption (‘Summary’ page)
2022-10-11 14:32
Updated information on strike action and related petrol and diesel shortages (‘Summary’ page).
2022-08-11 15:44
Removal of information on an explosion at an explosives factory in Bergerac on 3 August (‘Summary’ page).
2022-08-03 16:17
Addition of information on an explosion at an explosives factory in Bergerac on 3 August (‘Summary’ page)
2022-08-01 15:47
Updated information on the lifting of all COVID-19 travel restrictions from 1 August 2022 (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-07-19 17:50
Updated information on forest fires (Summary)
2022-07-15 16:29
Updated information on summer travel to and from France (‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-14 18:48
Updated information on forest fires in southwest France (Summary page).
2022-07-07 10:22
Updated information on mask wearing (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-06-29 11:12
Update to information on forest fires (‘Natural disasters’ page)
2022-06-21 13:29
Update to information on beaches and swimming (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-05-13 17:33
Updates to information on COVID-19 measures and travel to France’s overseas territories (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry Requirements’ pages)
2022-05-12 15:11
Clarification about current passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-14 17:35
Updates to information on COVID-19 measures (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry Requirements’ pages)
2022-04-08 19:09
Update to to reflect expected increase in traffic at Channel ports in coming weeks (‘Summary’ page)
2022-03-31 14:56
Updated to reflect the relaxation of rules for travellers arriving in France from the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-25 13:57
Updated information on vaccine requirements for entry and domestic use (‘Coronavirus’ and Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-03-17 16:40
Updated information on Corsica demonstrations and P&O Ferries services (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-03-15 12:35
Updated information on domestic COVID-19 measures (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-03-03 16:11
Updated link to ‘sworn statement’; new information on domestic vaccination pass (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)
2022-02-18 16:18
Updated information on entry requirements to France (‘Entry requirements’ page)