Lockdown lifting: What kind of Christmas can we expect in France this year?
'It will not be a normal Christmas', warn French politicians, but with some restrictions set to be lifted, this is what we can expect from the festive season this year.
As we reach the end of a long year during which it has frequently been impossible to travel across borders to see loved ones, seeing family and friends at Christmas is important to many.
After France revised its plan for ending lockdown after failing to hit targets on case numbers, here's what Christmas will look like this year.
Lockdown
France will stay in lockdown until December 15th, although all shops reopened on Saturday, November 28th.
From December 15th lockdown will be lifted - but other restrictions remain in place.
From this date, people will no longer need an attestation to leave their homes, and will be able to travel to different regions and visit family and friends.
However a curfew of 8pm to 6am will be in place and theatres, cinemas, museums, bars, restaurants and gyms will remain closed. Large gatherings will still be forbidden.
READ ALSO Calendar: The next key dates in France's lockdown
Christmas plans
So this means that travelling to visit friends and family at Christmas will be possible.
However there are some caveats to that - a nationwide curfew will be in place from 8pm to 6am. This will be lifted on December 24th, but not on December 31st as had been previously suggested.
Large gatherings in public are banned and are strongly discouraged in private.
France has no official limit on how many people can meet in private homes - an early attempt to impose one in the spring was ruled unconstitutional - but politicians have asked people to keep their gatherings modest this year.
A maximum of six adults has been suggested as a reasonable limit, but this cannot be legally enforced if you are not in a public place.
President Emmanuel Macron said: "Breathe and meet up, yes, but I appeal to your sense of responsibility
"This won't be a Christmas holiday like any other.
“We must do everything in our power to avoid a third wave. If we want to avoid a third lockdown, we need to double our vigilance.”
Religious services are now allowed again, with strict hygiene rules in place.
If you are planning a visit to relatives, the government advice is to limit your activities and social interactions as much as possible for five days before you travel.
Barrier gestures such as handwashing and avoiding kisses and handshakes should still be observed, as masks should be worn when visiting anyone in a high-risk group.
Travel
At present French train operator SNCF is running just 30 percent of its normal long-distance services, since lockdown rules mean that very few people can travel.
However, the rail operator says it will be running 100 percent of its normal services over the holiday period.
At present all tickets booked via SNCF have free refunds or exchanges.
International travel
From December 15th, non-essential travel will again be allowed in and out of France.
However many countries have restrictions in place, including quarantines, for arrivals from France.
READ ALSO Where can you travel to from France once lockdown ends?
For travellers from outside Europe, strict limits on essential travel only remain in place, as they have since the spring.
For full details on international travel, click here.
Ski resorts
But there is bad news for those hoping for a skiing holiday over Christmas - ski resorts will not open over the holiday period, Macron has announced.
Instead, the government says it is aiming for a reopening in January, with a firm decision due by the end of December.
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As we reach the end of a long year during which it has frequently been impossible to travel across borders to see loved ones, seeing family and friends at Christmas is important to many.
After France revised its plan for ending lockdown after failing to hit targets on case numbers, here's what Christmas will look like this year.
Lockdown
France will stay in lockdown until December 15th, although all shops reopened on Saturday, November 28th.
From December 15th lockdown will be lifted - but other restrictions remain in place.
From this date, people will no longer need an attestation to leave their homes, and will be able to travel to different regions and visit family and friends.
However a curfew of 8pm to 6am will be in place and theatres, cinemas, museums, bars, restaurants and gyms will remain closed. Large gatherings will still be forbidden.
READ ALSO Calendar: The next key dates in France's lockdown
Christmas plans
So this means that travelling to visit friends and family at Christmas will be possible.
However there are some caveats to that - a nationwide curfew will be in place from 8pm to 6am. This will be lifted on December 24th, but not on December 31st as had been previously suggested.
Large gatherings in public are banned and are strongly discouraged in private.
France has no official limit on how many people can meet in private homes - an early attempt to impose one in the spring was ruled unconstitutional - but politicians have asked people to keep their gatherings modest this year.
A maximum of six adults has been suggested as a reasonable limit, but this cannot be legally enforced if you are not in a public place.
President Emmanuel Macron said: "Breathe and meet up, yes, but I appeal to your sense of responsibility
"This won't be a Christmas holiday like any other.
“We must do everything in our power to avoid a third wave. If we want to avoid a third lockdown, we need to double our vigilance.”
Religious services are now allowed again, with strict hygiene rules in place.
If you are planning a visit to relatives, the government advice is to limit your activities and social interactions as much as possible for five days before you travel.
Barrier gestures such as handwashing and avoiding kisses and handshakes should still be observed, as masks should be worn when visiting anyone in a high-risk group.
Travel
At present French train operator SNCF is running just 30 percent of its normal long-distance services, since lockdown rules mean that very few people can travel.
However, the rail operator says it will be running 100 percent of its normal services over the holiday period.
At present all tickets booked via SNCF have free refunds or exchanges.
International travel
From December 15th, non-essential travel will again be allowed in and out of France.
However many countries have restrictions in place, including quarantines, for arrivals from France.
READ ALSO Where can you travel to from France once lockdown ends?
For travellers from outside Europe, strict limits on essential travel only remain in place, as they have since the spring.
For full details on international travel, click here.
Ski resorts
But there is bad news for those hoping for a skiing holiday over Christmas - ski resorts will not open over the holiday period, Macron has announced.
Instead, the government says it is aiming for a reopening in January, with a firm decision due by the end of December.
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