France Travel Advice

Published January 30, 2019

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued the following France Travel Advice on January 30, 2019.

Protests linked to the yellow vest (gilets jaunes) movement are continuing across France, and are particularly focused on weekends. A number of demonstrations have led to violence and extensive damage to property, in Paris and in other towns and cities across the country. A heavy police presence is to be expected and there could be instances of violence. Motorists travelling through France may continue to experience some delays or blockages caused by local demonstrators - you should drive with caution as some protestors may be based on roads, motorways and toll booths. In all cases, you should avoid demonstrations wherever possible and follow the advice of the local authorities.

There remain some migrants around Calais, who may seek to enter the UK illegally. There have been instances of migrants seeking to slow down traffic on approach roads to ports, including by placing obstacles on the Calais Port approach road. If this happens you should keep moving where it’s safe to do so, or stop and call 112 if isn’t safe to proceed (keeping car doors locked).

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France. Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist terrorist groups, and recent French military intervention against Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL), the French government has warned the public to be especially vigilant and has reinforced its security measures. Check the French government’s advice about what to do if a terrorist attack occurs.

All vehicles, including motorbikes, driving in central Paris, Lyon and Grenoble now need to display a special ‘pollution sticker’. You must display a sticker to drive in central Paris from 8am to 8pm on Monday to Friday. The requirement to display a sticker can be implemented at any time, depending on pollution levels. Some older vehicles don’t qualify for a sticker at all due to their high emissions; these vehicles can’t be driven in central Paris at all from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Monday to Friday. For more information, and to apply for a sticker, visit the French Ministry of Environment website (in English).

You should also take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.