LATEST: Where to wear a face mask in France
The French government has reintroduced strict mask wearing rules in a bid to tackle a fifth wave of Covid. All city centres now require mask wearing - even outside.
As of January 3rd, the following rules apply to everyone over the age of 6-years-old:
National rules
The nationwide rule on masks is that they must be worn on all public transport and all indoor public spaces.
This also includes indoor venues where visitors must show a health pass to enter, like bars, restaurants, leisure centres and cinemas.
For venues like bars and restaurants the previous mask rules have been reinstated - a mask is required while moving through a venue but not when seated and eating or drinking.
French mask rules have no exemptions and not wearing a mask when required to do so can net you a €135 fine.
Town and city centres
From January 3rd, you must wear a mask outside in all town and city centres in France. Such a measure was already in place in places like Paris and Lyon.
Markets
All visitors to markets in France, both indoors and outdoors, will have to wear masks as per a ruling from the Economy Ministry on December 1st. This rule applies to anyone over 6-years-old. Before now, local prefectures have had the freedom to impose mask-wearing at their will in markets.
Ski resorts
If you are in a French ski resort you are required to wear a mask while in the queue for a ski lift and in the enclosed télécabine lifts, but not on open chair lifts.
Masks are not required on the slopes.
A ski mask is accepted provided it entirely covers your nose and mouth.
Schools
All primary school pupils and teachers returned to wearing masks in class on November 15th, after the rule had been lifted in some areas with low case numbers. Mask rules have been in place for secondary and high schools since 2020.
Local rules
The decision is up to local authorities and there is no case number threshold at which these rules are introduced. Some areas with low case numbers have extra mask rules while other places with high case numbers don't.
If you are in any doubt over whether you should be wearing a mask, the advice to anyone is to check with the local préfecture on the exact rules in place in your area.
See Also
As of January 3rd, the following rules apply to everyone over the age of 6-years-old:
National rules
The nationwide rule on masks is that they must be worn on all public transport and all indoor public spaces.
This also includes indoor venues where visitors must show a health pass to enter, like bars, restaurants, leisure centres and cinemas.
For venues like bars and restaurants the previous mask rules have been reinstated - a mask is required while moving through a venue but not when seated and eating or drinking.
French mask rules have no exemptions and not wearing a mask when required to do so can net you a €135 fine.
Town and city centres
From January 3rd, you must wear a mask outside in all town and city centres in France. Such a measure was already in place in places like Paris and Lyon.
Markets
All visitors to markets in France, both indoors and outdoors, will have to wear masks as per a ruling from the Economy Ministry on December 1st. This rule applies to anyone over 6-years-old. Before now, local prefectures have had the freedom to impose mask-wearing at their will in markets.
Ski resorts
If you are in a French ski resort you are required to wear a mask while in the queue for a ski lift and in the enclosed télécabine lifts, but not on open chair lifts.
Masks are not required on the slopes.
A ski mask is accepted provided it entirely covers your nose and mouth.
Schools
All primary school pupils and teachers returned to wearing masks in class on November 15th, after the rule had been lifted in some areas with low case numbers. Mask rules have been in place for secondary and high schools since 2020.
Local rules
The decision is up to local authorities and there is no case number threshold at which these rules are introduced. Some areas with low case numbers have extra mask rules while other places with high case numbers don't.
If you are in any doubt over whether you should be wearing a mask, the advice to anyone is to check with the local préfecture on the exact rules in place in your area.
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