After months of closed borders and local curfews, Paris has fully reopened and is embracing the good life.
Travelers from “green” countries where the virus is deemed to be under control (a list that includes all EU countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore) have only to meet the following criteria:
- Vaccinated travelers are not subject to any health measures. They need to show proof of vaccination (the paper card is fine), but aren't obliged to get a test before flying or upon arrival. They may need to get a test to return to the home country, and those rules depend on the country.
- Unvaccinated travelers aged 11 years or older must present a negative PCR or antigenic test taken less than 72 hours before the flight.
Upon arrival in Paris, summer visitors will find a city that's blissfully empty of other tourists. Museums and monuments are open, without crowds or waiting times. Can you imagine visiting Versailles and having the Hall of Mirrors to yourself, or seeing the Mona Lisa without any surrounding selfie sticks?
Restaurants are open for both indoor and outdoor dining. Like in other cities, Paris has seen a proliferation of outdoor terrasses – we've put together a guide to our favorites for outdoor dining. Hot tables that were once impossible to book are now relatively easy to reserve.
Parisians seem to be reclaiming spaces once dominated by tourists, and we've been stumbling across the most heartwarming outdoor dances, concerts, and literary readings. Everyone seems to be looking at their city with “la vie en rose” tinted glasses after spending so many months in confinement.
Masks are required for many indoor environments (shops, museums, cinemas, theaters), and Parisians are by and large adhering to these rules. There's no mask requirement outdoors, so you can stroll along the Seine or read in the Luxembourg Gardens with your cheeks fully exposed to the sun.
This sense of freedom and ease is made possible by an increase in local vaccinations and falling case rates. Cases in France have decreased by 57% from the average two weeks ago, and that drop is even more significant in Paris.
We've also relaunched our celebrated food and wine tours, with a delicious new model featuring much smaller group sizes. We’ve also added private tours for those who want personalized options and exclusivity. All our offerings are led exclusively by vaccinated guides and we’re emphasizing outdoor tastings to keep everyone safe. What’s more, we’re offering 100% refunds for cancellations so that you can plan your summer with optimism.
Here are few more images from Paris as it reopens, all captured in the last week.
