France lockdown: Can I visit a cemetery in another village?

Reader question: Can I visit a cemetery that is not in my village and, if so, which box do you tick on my attestation form to allow the visit?

Cemetery visits were allowed during the first weekend of confinement, which ended with Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) on November 1.

Since November 2, cemetery visits have only been permitted in some circumstances.

Cemeteries are open in France despite confinement, so if the site you wish to visit is within a 1km radius of where you live, you can do so. If you wish to visit a grave you should carry a travel exemption form with you, ticking the Déplacements pour motif familial impérieux box as your reason for travel.

If you are visiting a cemetery specifically for a funeral, the travel allowance is more generous.

You can travel within France to attend a funeral service, with no limit on distance. Again, you should carry a travel exemption form with you, ticking the Déplacements pour motif familial impérieux box as your reason for travel. You should also carry some form of proof of the ceremony you are travelling to attend.

If your reason for visiting does not meet either of these criteria, you are probably not allowed to visit a cemetery.

However, if you feel your visit is essential, you could apply to the prefecture for authorisation to travel. If granted, you must carry proof of authorisation and a travel exemption form with you when you do visit, ticking the Déplacements pour motif familial impérieux box as your reason for travel.

The travel exemption form is available to print and download here (in French). There is an English version available and also an easy-read version with pictograms. There is also a digital version available via the TousAntiCovid smartphone app.

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