Europe
France
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Still current at: 04 July 2009
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Updated: 11 June 2009
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Health section (Swine Flu). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
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Travel Summary
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If you are concerned about any passengers that might have been affected by the Air France Flight AF447 accident on 01 June, please call the emergency number for Air France: 00 33 157 021 055 for callers outside France or 0800 800812 for inside France.
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French health authorities have confirmed several human cases of Swine Flu and are investigating a number of other suspected cases. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int has further details. For more information on Swine Flu in France, please visit the website of the British Embassy in Paris at www.ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en. In addition, you should monitor local media reports for any developments. ease also check Swine Flu for further information. Guidance about pandemic flu is also available through the UK Department of Health at: www.dh.gov.uk.
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There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. On 16 December 2008, several packs of explosives were dismantled at the Printemps Haussman Department store in Central Paris. No-one was injured. Since 2006 a number of explosions and failed explosions have occurred in Corsica. You are advised to take care, particularly in town centres and near public buildings, and be wary of unattended packages. See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.
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It is compulsory to carry a warning triangle and reflective jacket in all vehicles. See the Road Travel section of this advice for details.
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More than 14 million British nationals visit mainland France every year (Source: Ministère Français de l'économie et des finances). Most visits are trouble-free. 2,900 British nationals required consular assistance in France in the period 01 April 2006 - 31 March -2007. If you need to contact the emergency services in France call 112.
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Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. On 16 December 2008, several packs of explosives were dismantled at the Printemps Haussman Department store in Central Paris. No-one was injured.
During 2006 and 2007 a number of explosions and failed explosions occurred in Corsica. You are advised to take care, particularly in town centres and near public buildings, and be wary of unattended packages.
Political Situation
Local Travel
Continuing discontent among fisherman in the French channel ports means that there could be further blockades affecting cross-channel transport services. If you are planning to cross the Channel with one of the carriers, or if you are planning to sail to Northern France in a pleasure craft, you are advised to check the latest position before your start your journey.
Advice on driving outside the UK can be obtained from motoring organisations such as the AA and RAC.
Information on safety and potential traffic black spots is available on the French government website: http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr. This website is only available in French.
To drive in France you must be 18 years old and have a valid UK driving licence, insurance and vehicle documents. Failure to comply may lead to a fine and/or your vehicle being impounded. You are not permitted to drive at 17 even if you hold a valid licence. If you do not own the vehicle you are driving, you are advised to obtain written permission from the registered owner.
It is obligatory to carry a warning triangle and reflective jacket. The reflective jacket must be stored inside the vehicle itself. Non-compliance is a fineable offence.
Driving regulations in France are different from those in the UK. Speeding can result in heavy, on the spot fines and potentially immediate confiscation of your vehicle and licence.
In 2007 there were 4,620 road deaths in France (source: DfT). This equates to 7.3 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007. Many drivers undertake long journeys in, or through, France. Care should be taken to plan journeys and take regular breaks.
In-car radar detectors are illegal in France whether in use or not. If caught with one, you are liable to fines and/or, confiscation of the device and the vehicle.
Road Hauliers
British haulage companies and their employees should contact the Road Hauliers Association at: http://www.rha.net/ for further information about driving in France.
Heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are banned from driving on roads in France on a number of days during the year, including all Sundays and public holidays. Dates are set by the French Ministry of Transport. Road hauliers should contact the Road Hauliers Association, the Freight Transport Association or the Department of Transport for further information.
British lorry drivers have been the subjects of assault near Calais by men who may have been illegal immigrants intent on either robbery or possibly using their lorries to illegally enter the UK. The Road Hauliers Association is aware of these incidents and can provide advice to drivers on matters of personal security.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Entry requirements
A passport valid for the proposed period of your stay is required for entry to France.
Visas
If your passport describes you as a British Citizen or British Subject with Right of Abode in the United Kingdom, you will not need a visa to enter France. Other British passport holders should confirm the current entry requirements with the nearest French Diplomatic mission.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the French Embassy in London.
Employment/Living in France
For guidance on living and working in France please visit : http://ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk
Health
British nationals planning a permanent move to France, especially those who have not yet reached retirement age, should consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at the earliest opportunity to obtain advice on their longer-term entitlement as residents to health care provision under the French national system. Enquiries should be made to the DWP Overseas Medical Benefits help-line on 00 44 191 218 1999 which is open on Mondays to Fridays from 08.00 to 20.00 daily. Alternatively, information can be obtained direct from the English language service of the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (French social security service) on 00 33 8 20 90 42 12 or CLEISS (the Helpdesk in France for international mobility and social security) on 00 33 1 45 26 33 4. Information is also available on the website of the British Embassy in France.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 140,000 adults aged 15 or over in France were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.4% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to France and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Swine Flu (H1N1)
French health authorities have confirmed several human cases of Swine Flu and are investigating a number of other suspected cases. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/ has further details. For more information on Swine Flu in France, please visit the website of the British Embassy in Paris at www.ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en. In addition, you should monitor local media reports for any developments. Please also check Swine Flu page. Guidance about pandemic flu is also available through the UK Department of Health at: www.dh.gov.uk.
You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.
Natural disasters
Forest Fires
Fires can be a regular occurrence in forested areas anywhere during the summer months but especially along the Mediterranean coast and on Corsica. It is not uncommon for fires to be started by unextinguished cigarettes thrown from cars or by the illegal lighting of campfires or barbecues. The fires are generally extinguished quickly and efficiently by experienced fire fighters, though short-term evacuations are sometimes necessary. Most visits to forested areas should remain trouble-free, but if you plan to stay in such an area you should familiarise yourself on arrival with local regulations as lighting fires in most forested areas is illegal and severe penalties exist for any infringement. You should also familiarise yourself with local emergency procedures in the event of fire.
Avalanches
There is often a danger of avalanches in the French Alpine regions. You are therefore advised to exercise due care and attention and observe all written notices and warning instructions and, where and when appropriate, consider carrying avalanche search equipment. For the latest on avalanche risk visit http://www.meteoalarm.eu
Sports activities and winter sports
Conditions on roads in mountainous areas can quickly become difficult in winter. You should carry supplies such as water, food, warm clothing and medicines in your vehicle.
Travellers to mountainous areas should take out comprehensive insurance to cover extra medical costs, repatriation or, in the départements of Savoie and Haute-Savoie, possible transfer to Switzerland for hospital treatment. For sports activities such as skiing, potholing and mountaineering, and for sports classed as dangerous (off-piste skiing or snow boarding, mountain biking, etc) travel insurance must include mountain rescue services and helicopter costs. Be aware of weather forecasts and conditions and make sure you are well equipped. Never undertake the activity alone and consider hiring a guide Always leave copies of your itinerary and plans with someone.
If you intend to go hill walking in any part of France including Corsica, you should ensure that you are well prepared and equipped to cope both with the terrain, high temperatures and a lack of shade in summer and low temperatures during the winter months
General
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.
Consular Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Travel advice for this country
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contacts
France, Paris, British Embassy
Address:
British Embassy
BP111-08, 75383 PARIS CEDEX 08 Paris
Telephone:
(33) 1 44 51 31 00
Fax:
(33) 1 44 51 31 27 Consular
Email: public.paris@fco.gov.uk
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon -Fri: 0830-1200 / 1330-1700
Local Time:
Mon-Fri: 0930-1300 / 1430-1800
Website: http://ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en/
