Can I travel to my French holiday home during lockdown?
Travel between regions in France is banned but this weekend there will be a grace period for people returning from holidays
A national lockdown is now imposed across France and travel between French regions is forbidden.
However, President Macron said that this weekend (October 31-November 1) only, tolerance will be given to people who are returning home from trips away during the Toussaint school holiday period.
“You won’t be able to move from one region to another except for returning from the Toussaint holidays. There will be tolerance during this return weekend so that everyone can come back from their holiday destination and families can get organised," he said.
Prime minister Jean Castex confirmed this, saying in a speech on Thursday, that this weekend: “there won’t be anything formal, a simple 'sworn on honour' certificate will suffice to travel”.
For anyone currently in France, it means they must choose where they will spend lockdown.
Foreign second home owners currently in France can spend the lockdown at their home in France but they should not move back and forth between their primary residence and second home.
People are advised not to travel to their French second homes if they are not currently in the country.
However, France’s internal borders within the European area will remain open during lockdown while the external borders will be closed “except for the movement of French nationals and residents in France”, Mr Castex said.
This means that if you are in the European area (the UK included), there will be nothing to necessarily prevent you from travelling to your second home although if you are stopped by police on the way you could be liable to be fined.
The fine for breaking the confinement rules is €135.
Anyone who is currently on holiday in France will be able to leave to return to their country of residence at any time, as long as they carry with them proof of travel (plane, train, ferry ticket, etc.) and fill out an exemption certificate (attestation de déplacement).
Read more:
Can I travel back to France during the lockdown?
France lockdown: The exemption forms you need
