Check separate travel advice pages for overseas territories of France.

On 16 March largescale demonstrations started in central Paris and elsewhere in France and police presence increased. Protests could turn violent and/or continue. These could lead to disruptions to road travel.

Several unions have called for rolling cross-sector strike action from Tuesday 7 March, with coordinated cross-sector action planned on Thursday 23 March. Industrial action may start the evening before the strike day and run for several days. Localised or sector-specific strikes could also occur outside these dates. Industrialised action may lead to disruption to services.

You should monitor the media, check the latest advice with operators before travelling, avoid demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.

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.

There is also ongoing strike action affecting multiple sectors including transport networks. Coordinated strike action and large-scale demonstrations are next planned for Tuesday 28 March. Industrial action may start the evening before the strike day and run for several days.

You should monitor the media, check the latest advice with operators before travelling, avoid demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.

You can find information and guidance from the French Government regarding the current outbreak of COVID-19 in France on the French Government’s COVID-19 pages.

The Department for Transport and the FCDO have jointly published separate guidance for the freight transport industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

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

There is a general threat from terrorism. You should remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local authorities.

On 19 June 2021 the threat level in France was lowered to ‘heightened’. This means that there is still a high threat of terrorism. You should be vigilant at all times and follow the advice of local authorities.

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France. Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist terrorist groups, and 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. See the Terrorism page.

Demonstrations can take place in France, often in major cities. If demonstrations do turn violent, a heavy police/gendarmerie presence is to be expected. In all cases, you should avoid demonstrations wherever possible and follow the advice of the local authorities.

Around 17 million British nationals visit France every year. Most visits are trouble-free. The most common problem reported is pickpocketing. See Crime.

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

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).

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

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

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.

The emergency phone number in France is 112. If you need to contact other emergency services, call 15 (medical), 17 (police) or 18 (fire).