Foreign travel advice

France

Summary

• Still current at: 30 May 2023
• Updated: 9 May 2023
• Latest update: 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.

Check separate travel advice pages for overseas territories of France.

Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for France’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.

If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.

It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.

Around 17 million British nationals visit France every year. Most visits are trouble-free.

Since mid-March there have been spontaneous protests in central Paris and elsewhere in France. Protests are likely to take place and could occur with little notice. Some protests have turned violent. The protests may lead to disruptions to road travel or targeting of parked cars in areas where protests take place.

Trade unions have announced strikes and demonstrations on Tuesday 6 June, affecting multiple sectors including transport networks. Industrial action may start the evening before the strike day and run for several days.

You should monitor the media, avoid protests, check the latest advice with operators when travelling and follow the advice of the authorities.

There are rules about taking food and drink into the EU. See Taking food and drink into the EU for further information.

The most common problem reported by British nationals visiting France is pickpocketing. See Crime.

If you’re living in France, visit our Living in France guide in addition to this travel advice.

All vehicles, including motorbikes, driving in central Paris, Lyon and Grenoble now need to display a special ‘pollution sticker’. See Road travel

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.

For emergency services in France, call:

• 112 (all services)
• 15 (medical services)
• 17 (police)
• 18 (fire services)

View a printable version of the whole guide