Yes, yes, yes! I have got amazing news: after a very long strict lockdown (since November 2020!) and a reconfinement (April 2021) in France, the French borders are finally opening for overseas tourists and travelers from June 9, 2021! 

That means you can finally go to the Louvre, have a stroll around the Eiffel Tower, and maybe even have a stunning photoshoot in Paris! I so much look forward to welcoming you!

France has already reopened its borders to the residents of Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the UK. 

The visitors from the United States will be able to enter France from June 9, 2021, if they can provide proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 PCR test upon arrival.

Travelers from the EU and the Schengen zone have already been granted travel permission. 

Visitors from other countries still need a ‘compelling’ professional, health, or family reason to travel to France. 

However, more countries might be on this list on June 9, 2021.

By this summer, the European officials consider accepting “all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by EMA." 

That means that all vaccinated travelers might be able to travel to France and EU-wide. 

I will keep updating this list.

As of May 2021, parks and public gardens are open. You can visit Jardin de Luxembourg, the Tuileries Garden, or stroll along the Seine today. 

It is possible to go to a bookstore, a supermarket, a pharmacy, or an optician. However, all museums, art galleries, cultural institutions, and non-essential shops are closed.

You can’t eat out and are most likely to see gigantic teddy bears instead of regular visitors in most Parisian cafes. 

You can have a takeaway or a take-out coffee during the day.

The current curfew starts at 7 pm.

However, this all is changing!

The first important Reopening day for the Parisians is May 19, 2021. 

Find below all the important details about the curfew in Paris, the reopening of museums, restaurants, cafés, and other cultural venues.

Check out the rules to abide by and the Paris Reopening key dates. Here is what you can expect.

• France’s outdoor bars, cafes, and restaurants reopened, with a maximum of six people per table.
• Non-essential businesses are allowed to reopen
• Cultural venues and spectator sports reopened in a limited capacity. That means you will be able to enjoy French movies on the big screen. You will also have the chance to enjoy the Louvre and other Parisian museums less crowded. Each visitor should be accorded 8 square meters of space, which leaves you plenty of space indeed!
• You can visit Parisian boutiques or go shopping in the big shopping malls and enjoy the same 8 square meters of space per person
• The curfew is pushed back to 9.00 pm

• Foreign tourists will be allowed to enter France with a Health Pass (*see below for more details)
• Curfew pushed back to 11:00 pm
• Cultural or sporting events: 5000 people will be allowed
• Bars, cafés, and restaurants will reopen indoor spaces (only outdoor spaces are opening from May 19) - 6 people per table max
• More good news. Places of leisure, theme parks, and cultural attractions will not be subject to Health passes

• End of the curfew.
• Limits on the number of people at events removed.
• Night clubs might reopen from July 1, 2021.

France is planning to reach 50% of its population vaccinated by early July. The authorities are counting on entering the summer with roughly 5,000 cases per day, which is the best result in a long time. 

While the US and certain other countries start allowing not wearing the masks outdoors, France hasn’t tackled this subject yet. 

As for now, wearing masks in France is compulsory for everyone aged over 11, even outdoors. 

You can get a fine of 135 Euros (around $163) for not wearing one.

Like probably elsewhere, you are allowed to remove the masks to eat, drink or smoke. 

It is tolerated to do your jogging or cycling outdoors without having your face covered.

The French government mentioned “this summer” as a cautious forecast date to remove face masks outdoors.

Photoshoots, guided tours, and many other cultural activities are allowed.

Guided tours don’t have any participants limit if you participate in a tour with a licensed tour guide.

The pandemic is not over yet. As a professional photographer, I adopt a procedure for a professional photography activity that follows the Safety and Cleaning guidelines based on COVID-19-related guidance from the World Health Organization:

• The photo sessions will take place outdoors as much as possible.
• We will avoid crowded places.
• We will avoid physical contact (e.g., hugs or handshakes).
• During our photo session, I will always be a few meters away from you to respect social distancing.
• As for now, we will most probably have to wear masks or face coverings. It is tolerated to take them off when we are taking photos, but you will have to put your mask back on when we move from one photoshoot location to another.
• My photographic equipment is rigorously sanitized before and after every photo session.
• If needed, I will provide a hydroalcoholic solution and sanitize props, chairs, or benches, with which you might come into contact.

• Please confirm the date of the shoot the earliest possible. This will allow me more time for preparation.
• We can meet on Zoom, Google Meet or Skype before the shoot to get to know each other and discuss your photoshoot details.
• We can chose the itinerary, the best places to visit depending on your preferences.
• If you want we can also give you a piece of advice about the outfit and the accessories we could use for our photoshoot in Paris.

A Health Pass or Covid-1is a digital medical certificate or Covid-19  proving that:

• You have been vaccinated from COVID-19 or
• You have a negative COVID-19 test result within no more than 48 hours before arrival or
• You have proof of recovery from COVID-19. You have to present documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight.

As of May, the French parliament approved 'health passes' for vaccinated people.

The passes would not be required for events with fewer than 1,000 people.

Theme parks are not subject to health passes. You might be able to visit the Paris Disneyland park without a health pass.

For more information, please check the official document available on the French government website: Covid-19 : stratégie et agenda de réouverture - Mai 2021

I hope the reopening in France will work as planned, and you will be able to enjoy the City of Love and get incredible pictures of your trip to Paris in all safety!

Do you have more questions about traveling to France in summer 2021? Shoot me an email, and I will be happy to provide you with the information firsthand.

I’m looking forward to meeting you in Paris soon!

Do you want to make your dream of a professional photo session in Paris come true? Click here!