France Reopens to U.S. Tourists: June 9, 2021 - Travel Updates

U.S. tourists have been unable to visit France, but that may change in early June.

For health and safety measures, international travel between countries has been greatly restricted since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. But while France has reopened to travelers from some countries, at this time, Americans are unable to visit for leisure. But that's about to change.

France recently announced that it would be reopening to U.S. tourists beginning on June 9, 2021. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect so that you can start planning your French adventure.

Here's how travel to France will work

If you plan to visit France, you'll need to know the rules so that you're well prepared. According to the Associated Press, travelers will need to do one of two things:

• Present a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within the previous 72 hours
• Show proof of vaccination through a health pass

Travelers from some destinations, like India and Brazil, must also quarantine for 10 days upon arrival or face fines. This extra precaution is due to the high numbers of positive cases in those countries.

Detailed specifics about the health pass have not yet been released, but the idea of health passes and digital vaccine passports is not new. In March, the European Commission proposed a Digital Green Certificate to allow safe movement between EU countries. This certificate would show if a person has been vaccinated, received a negative test, or recovered from COVID-19. Passes like these could help to ease travel restrictions.

France reopens and prepares for normality

All this comes at a time when France has begun to reopen from its most recent partial lockdown.

Nurseries and primary schools started to open back up the first full week of May. The country also lifted its domestic travel restrictions at this time. President Emmanuel Macron announced that restaurants and the outdoor terraces of cafes would be allowed to reopen beginning on May 19, and that the nightly curfew will be adjusted. Additionally, cinemas, museums, theaters, concert halls, and shops will also reopen on this date with some capacity restrictions in place.

How to budget for summer 2021 travel

As more countries ease daily life and travel restrictions, travel will likely become more popular in the coming weeks and months. If you want to travel this summer, you should start planning soon in order to get the best possible prices so you can keep more money in your bank account.

Before you start booking, check out our guide on travel rewards credit cards. These cards are an excellent way to earn rewards while securing your travel bookings. We also have some tips to help you travel safely while on a budget.