We will be updating this blog with every new regulation update to inform you of all COVID 19 2020 updates in France.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Please also see our blog about how wedding planners are dealing with COVID 19 for more industry updates.
Regulations update from January 24, 2022
- A valid vaccination pass, or a negative PCR test from less than 48h before travel is required to travel to France for those aged 16 and over, as well as accessing to venues.
- Until February 16th : it is legally forbidden to dance inside venues and bars, and people are not allowed to eat standing up inside venues and restaurants.
- Nightclubs were ordered to close in December, but will reopen from February 16!
- Working from home will no longer be mandatory but recommended from February 2.
- Big events can gather up to 2000 people inside venues and 5000 outside.
- Masks are still mandatory in public spaces indoors and on public transport, but they will no longer be required outside from February 2.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Regulations update from April 30, 2021
French President Emmanuel Macron has given the game plan on easing current restrictions in France for the upcoming months . Here is the summary:
Starting May 19
- End of the 10km radius restriction confining people to staying within this distance of their homes
- Curfew pushed from 7pm to 9pm
- Outdoor bar & restaurant terraces opening!!! Max 6 people per table
- Cultural & sport spaces opening up to 800 people indoors and 1000 outdoors
- Maximum of 10 people allowed to gather publicly on the street
Starting June 9
- Curfew pushed from 9pm to 11pm
- Indoor dining opens up. 6 people max per table inside
- Gyms open
- ‘Health’ Pass required allowing people to attend sports events and other big events up to 5000 peoplE
Starting June 30
- 11pm curfew lifted
- Discos remain closed
- Restrictions may be re-implemented locally depending on the pandemic’s evolution. If 400 cases out of 100,000 are reached then the restrictions will be revisited accordingly
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Regulations update from March 31, 2021
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke Wednesday March 31, 2021 to inform the country of the new restrictions placed on the country for 4 weeks starting Saturday April 3, 2021.
- Curfew remains in place between 7pm and 6am.
- Bars & restaurants remain closed.
- All commerce, except for essentials such as supermarkets and pharmacies, are closed.
- People allowed to circulate in a limited radius of 10km from their homes.
- No paperwork forms necessary to prove reason for movement, just the ID card to show proof of residency if asked.
- No movement within departments in France after Saturday night, paperwork and proof of reason required if people do need to circulate.
- Working from home is mandatory, unless when not possible.
- No outdoor gatherings of more than 6 people.
- No consumption of alcohol in public places.
- Nurseries, day-care, schools closed for 3 weeks.
- Universities teach on-line.
- Vaccinations available for adults 60-69 year olds old starting April 15.
- Vaccinations available for adults ages 50-59 starting May 9th.
- Vaccinations available for adults under 50 starting June 15, 2021.
Hello,
Looking to have my wedding in Chamonix Jan2-9th 2022 and also wondering what the trends are in covid restrictions as far as having a ceremony/reception somewhere in the area. Hope to hear from you soon! Thanks
Our family and friends don’t feel comfortable Travelling to France in Summer, particularly as some won’t be vaccinated. We’re also unsure that we can have the numbers we want. We’ve spoken to our venue who say will will forfeit the deposit (2600 euros!) if we cancel… but we don’t think we have a choice? We’ve asked them if we can use the money for a holiday instead and they’ve said no. They’ve offered us 500 euros as a ‘gesture of good will’ despite providing no services from the 2600 euros. We are aware of our rights in the UK in terms of frustrated contracts but not the France law. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi,
Do you know whether dancing is permitted at weddings by the end of July?
The wedding will be outdoors.
Thanks!
Hi Jeremy,
Yes dancing will be allowed starting July 2!
So for end of July, unless things change, you should be fine!!
Happy wedding!
So sorry to hear this, and I’m in pretty much the same situation.
May I ask where your venue was? Ours is a chateau in Bordeaux and they’ve refused to return our deposit. Supposedly there is now a law that dictates that venues/accomodation must provide a refund if after 18 months a new date can’t be attained. Is anyone familiar with this?
Hello. Please can you provide some advice on refunds regarding French wedding venues. In England, the Competition and Markets Authority have clarified that any wedding that is cancelled as a result of COVID19, a full refund should be offered by the venue (other than in certain limited exceptions). What is the situation in France regarding French weddings and wedding venues? Our wedding could not go ahead in 2020 or 2021 and the venue won’t give us a refund. Please can you clarify the situation.
We are in the same situation! Let me know what you learn. We are trying to pursue legal action
Hello can you provide me with details of wedding venues who cancelled last year and then gave my daughter only 2 dates she really didn’t want but refuses to give the their payment of £12.500
The venue said they have paid for caterers and florist and wine ??? None of which they have not yet able to receive,
They now want the final payment for a date in September when it was originally an August wedding
As she s a teacher but totally refuses & has said if they don’t go a head they will lose everything
I feel none of this is my daughters fault and totally disgraceful
Please can you let me know what we can do, the couple have saved 3 years for their happy Day and totally devastated and my daughter is very stressed.
Someone needs to seriously look into the french wedding venues, we are in the same boat and currently going through a legal battle. Apparently 7k euros is reasonable to keep of our money. I’m literally baffled
Me too!! Following this to learn more. What total shits these companies are.
Hi there, not sure if you are able to advise but my friend is getting married in Nice, South of France. A few of us aren’t vaccinated but have seen on the French government website that you need a valid reason to enter France. Do you know if a wedding is a valid reason? Thank you
My son is getting married to a french girl on May 29th.
Does anyone know if I have to quarantine for 7 days in France?
Dear Amanda,
Where are you traveling from?
If from the US then borders are still closed until June 30, 2021.
Rules and restricitons are changing all the time and we advise you to check the embassy websites for official information.
https://fr.usembassy.gov/update-on-french-government-closure-of-borders-for-travel-to-non-european-countries/
If you are from the UK then the borders are also currently closed and I don’t know when they are supposed to officially open.
And yes now, for special circumstances if you have a valid reason for coming into France then there is a self-quarntine in place.
However please check the UK embassy website for information as the situation is constantly evolving.
https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-paris
This must be very stressful for you, your son and the family…I hope that you will be able to make it for the wedding despite the obstacles and celebrate with your loved ones!
Warm Regards,
Haute Wedding
Hi there,
I’m due to get married in France at the end of July. We have 80 guests and the majority of the wedding will be outside (unless it rains!). Do you have any idea around whether you think this will be possible? I’ve noticed your comment above re: 100+ people but thought I’d check to see if there has been any more news since then. If not, are you expecting an announcement to come out again soon?
Thank you!
Hi Sophie,
for the outdoors you should be ok..;with table still spaced out and max 6 pax per table. however if you need to go indoors we are understanding the current regulations for restaurants to allow half of their usual capacity inside. SO for example if a restaurant usually can hold 200 pax, then 100 are allowed…with the same restrcitions on 6 pax per table, spaced out, wearing masks when ciruclating, etc…
Hope that helps!!
Hi There,
With the new regulations in France I am wondering if there is more known about events like weddings. From the 9th of june, foreigners (tourists) are welcome with a health pass. But will the restriction of max 6 people on a wedding be also lifted by then? I cannot find any information on this.
Thanks in advance, Charlotte
Hi Charlotte! We have updated this page since your comment so take a look at our updates! If you have additional questions please email contact@hautewedding.co.uk to be connected directly with our planning team.
Hi,
We are planning to have our civil wedding in France on June this year.
I can’t find any specific rules for the wedding reception guests we are allowed to invite.
Could you please advise?
Thanks!
Hi Soleil, It really depends on the venue. We would love to hear more. Can you please email us at contact@hautewedding.co.uk to connect directly with the planning team.
These comments and answers are really helpful, thank you. We are due to get married in July 2022 but are very reluctant to continue paying the planned deposit instalments until there is more clarity, particularly as we have been unable to secure wedding insurance for France. I know it is impossible to tell how things will turn out given how far away the wedding is, but would you have any advice?
Hi Fionnuala, We are feeling more optimistic about Summer 2022 weddings. However, that all depends on the venue and the guest count. We are not sure that we can help but if you want to send an email to our planning team directly they might be able to advise further after receiving more details. Please email Contact@hautewedding.co.uk – The Haute Wedding Team
Hello Fionnuala!
Your hesitations are totally understandable. By July 2022 we strongly hope that weddings will be easier to plan and get excited for again! Wedding insurance is impossible to find, you are right! If you find some let us know! Regarding deposit installments, we have couples who have requested to push back payments with our suppliers. The first installment is usually non-refundable and required to block a date. However the installments following the first, in theory, could be negotiated. It is a case by case basis with each supplier but it is worth asking and seeing what can be done. Please email us directly if you’d like more insight and guidance. Hope this helps for now!
– Monica, Haute Wedding Planner
Hi Monica, Kerry and Anna,
I hope you can help.
I was supposed to be getting married in Provence last September which was sadly postponed to this June due to Covid and of course now it seems extremely unlikely it wont happen.
We really just want out money back as we are now planning on starting a family due to the planning of the wedding being such a nightmare and our life just feeling like it is on hold.
We are trying to find out the laws in france as to whether we can get our money back as our venue cannot and wont be able to host our wedding as planned.
We really have no idea where to start with this so would love any information or advice?
Thank you so much,
Daisy
Hi Daisy, That sounds very frustrating and we are sorry to hear that. We have heard of there being problems getting refunds with people who have booked venues directly. We are not sure that we can help but if you want to send an email to our planning team directly they might be able to advise further after receiving more details. Please email Contact@hautewedding.co.uk – The Haute Wedding Team
We’re hoping to get married in France in September 2021, do you think this could be possible or should we just postpone to next year?
Hi Vicky, Thanks for reaching out. That all really depends on the guest list size and venue. For instance, if it is a smaller guest count and outdoors then that shouldn’t be a problem. If you have an all-indoor wedding venue and a larger guest list then you may have some problems arise. I am sending your information to the planning team. Monica and Anna will be in touch to help more soon! – Kerry Charlotte, the marketing manager.
Thank-you! We were hoping for a 100 person wedding
Can you answer the questions here publicly please, or would be really nice so others can learn too.
Hi Margaret,
yes, when the planners respond, I will try to attach the answer to the questions publically as fast as possible! Thanks for the feedback. – KC
We had a venue booked in France for Aug 2021 but now wish to cancel as our family can’t travel from Aus. We do not want to postpone again but instead do something small at a cheaper venue. The current venue have refused us our 3K deposit, despite no services being provided. Do we have any legal right to it?
Hi David, We are so sorry to hear that. It is normally a case-by-case basis, you would need to have a lawyer look into your contract. I have forwarded your information to our planning team. If they are able to help in any way, they will be in touch. – Kerry Charlotte
We are in the same boat as David. Except our venue want to keep €14k and charge us €6k to postpone it which seems completely unreasonable! Any help would be great. We are also looking into solicitors atm. Any recommendations of solicitors that deal with this would be appreciated!
Hi Katie,
I’m so sorry to hear that you are having such an unpleasant experience with your venue. Unfortunately we are not in a position to recommend solicitors. If you would like to send us an email directly so we can potentially spot-check your contract and give you some advice then please do contact us on our email directly contact@hautewedding.co.uk
Kind regards
Dear David,
I hope this email finds you well!
We are sorry to hear that your original venue is not going to reimburse you the deposit of 3000€.
From experience this past year most venues are OK to transfer the monies paid to a new date with no penalty fees. However, the majority of them are not reimbursing. We have found people who booked without a planner are having more problems than if they used a planner as well. If you are going to host a smaller wedding at another venue, then I would suggest the 3000€ at the first venue that they are not giving back is transformed into a stay or vacation for yourselves. I would definitely have them give you something for your 3k€! Several nights at the venue, food & drink, or whatever services they do provide there, make sure you get services for the money paid in some shape or form. In theory, this ‘voucher’ should be valid for about 12-18 months. I hope that helps David!
Good luck!
And have a wonderful wedding!
Kind regards,
Monica
Hi there,
Do we have any idea of whether a wedding with 100+ guests will be possible this summer in France? We have already delayed and would really like to plan for this year if possible.
Hi Sarah, A member of our planning team will be in contact to get more information so they can help answer your question. – KC
Hi Sarah, We have reached out directly but wanted to attach this response here to maybe help others!
Regarding your question on whether weddings with 100+ guests will be possible this year…
oh my gosh, we hope so…but it’s still so so so difficult to know.
Gatherings for celebrations will most likely be allowed but probably with lower numbers…
IF weddings with higher numbers will be allowed, then from our experience and speaking to restaurant owners, the restrictions will be quite tight. Guests will be required to wear masks anytime they are not seated at their tables. For example, at the cocktail hour masks would be required, tables need to be spaced further apart than normal, and with fewer guests per table than normal. Anytime guests get up from the table to move around, going to the restroom, etc they will need to put on a mask and at this time dancing will probably not be permitted indoors anyways.
If your wedding is 100% outdoors then maybe there would be a chance that some of the above would be ‘less strict’. I hope this helps you, Sarah.
We have asked a few follow-up questions to be able to help more!
May I ask where your wedding is due to take place?
And what is your date?
Where will your guests be traveling from?
Hope this helped.
Looking forward to connecting with you!
– Monica, Anna, and KC
Any advice on small weddings in France? Not sure ti book for 2021 or 2022?
Hope to hear from you.
Hi Leona, Our planning team will be in touch directly to help answer your questions. – Kerry Charlotte