Christmas holidays - activities

Traffic disruption for the Christmas vacations: Bison Futé's advice for this weekend

Bison Futé forecasts difficult traffic this weekend of December 27 to 29, 2024, particularly in the Île-de-France, Eastern France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regions. Friday and Saturday are expected to be busy for departures, while Saturday and Sunday will be complicated for returns, especially on major routes.

Covid: “The real Delta variant wave is coming, it’s the 5th wave”, Delfraissy claims

Like for its European neighbors, France is now facing a resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic. according to the Head of the Scientific Committee Jean-François Delfraissy, “the real Delta variant wave is coming, it’s the fifth wave”.

Holidays: Darmanin asks Prefects to reinforce the security of places of worship

As the French are about to celebrate the Holidays in a never-before-seen context, Secretary of the Interior Gérald Darmanin has asked prefects to “significantly reinforce” security around places of worship or offices on Thursday December 24 and Friday 25, 2020.

Covid: “The first three months of 2021 will be arduous” Pr. Fontanet warns

As the French are preparing to celebrate the Holidays with their families, the beginning of 2021 will be grueling, Institut Pasteur Professor Fontanet says. “The first three months of 2021 will be arduous because winter will be in full swing without feeling, on the collective level, the benefits expected from vaccine” the epidemiologist said on December 20 in Journal du Dimanche.

Coronavirus: third wave, curfew… how would the post-lockdown process look like?

As France is back into nationwide lockdown until December 15, 2020, some people are already wondering about the post-lockdown process. What are the leads considered? How would the Holidays occur in France? Could lockdown be extended beyond December 15? We try to give you as many answers as we can.

Covid: curfew from 8 p.m. starting December 15 and no exemption on New Year's Eve

As the deadline of December 15 is just around the corner, France will not meet the 5,000 new Covid cases per day goal enabling to exit lockdown, as Jean Castex explained this Thursday December 10 during a press brief. The situation forced the government to toughen up measures planned, like curfew starting from 8 p.m. from December 15 and no exemption on New Year's Eve.

Covid: banning trips for Christmas? Emmanuel Macron rules out this option

A couple of hours prior to Jean Castex’ next press conference, the French are wondering if they will be able to celebrate Christmas with their families on December 24 and 25. According to France Info, banning trips for Christmas is an option Emmanuel Macron rules out.

Covid: restaurants and bars, "will not reopen around December 1" Jean Castex maintains

During a new press brief, Prime Minister Jean Castex suggested that bars and restaurants – closed since the new nationwide lockdown started – will have to show patience. According to the latest news shared by Le Point, a potential reopening of these places is not planned before January 15 or even February 1, 2021. As for the government's spokesperson, Gabriel Attal, he said on November 17 that the executive will deliver "prospects in early December". Jean Castex has just announced: "we will not reopen restaurants and bars around December 1".

Covid: massive screening in December in France to save Christmas?

Will France provide massive screening to save Christmas? This Tuesday November 17, 2020, French politician Laurent Wauquiez announced a massive screening campaign in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes before Christmas, that is to say, they will screen 8 million inhabitants. As for the French government, they are thinking about a massive screening for the entire population in December.

Covid during the Holidays: France’s government remains cautious but is getting ready for the worst

As Holidays are just around the corner, the executive is stuck in a difficult situation: how to fight the spread of Covid-19 while allowing families to reunite for Christmas? Even though the hope to be together prevails and seems more crucial than ever for France, after a difficult year, trips between regions and especially celebrations make members of the government fear the worst.

Coronavirus: Christmas "will be either way" Olivier Véran says

Because of the spread of coronavirus in the country, some French are already thinking about the Holidays and fear they are not able to reunite with their families. French President Emmanuel Macron said he hopes they can "celebrate Christmas and the Holidays" with their families, as the new lockdown is implemented starting Thursday October 29, 2020 at midnight. As for Health Minister Olivier Véran, he warned Christmas "will not be a normal holiday", yet adding this celebration "will be either way".