France at Christmas, to cancel or not?

[unsure87]

Supposed to be going for a week to see family but staying in a hotel.
I'm so unsure now, it's been booked for months but I honestly thought we would be in a better position by now.
The pcr tests are expensive but doable but I'm not even sure if France will allow us in by Christmas 🤔
Anyone have a crystal ball who can tell me it'll work out or just give me your opinion on what you would do?

Can you cancel for free? My worry would be the risk of having to isolate, would that have a major impact on you?

We're in the same position. Booked the eurotunnel to go and stay with my dad for Christams but now I'm just not sure it's worth all the hassle. And as Spain have said no unvaccinated kids, france may follow and our DD hasn't been vaccinated yet. I'm so pissed off with it all...

We were supposed to be going before Christmas (not to see family though) and have just cancelled due to the PCR tests hassle and the likelihood of waiting ages for results over the festive period. Like you, we were also wary of France changing the rules a bit further down the line.

We can cancel the hotel up till 24 hours before we arrive free of charge. I'd lose the flight money but the pcr tests will cost as much if not more than the flights cost me so don't feel too bad about that. It's more the disappointment kids I'm worrying about (we promised them a day at Eurodisney) but everything just seems so confusing and so much hassle. I'm sorry you're in the same position @OldWivesTale, my 15 year old is vaccinated but the 11 year old isn't which isn't a problem just now.

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

So in your position, I would hold off cancelling for the moment but check the cancellation policy with the hotel. Will you be able to get a full refund? Or move it? Or do you need to wait until the French government says you can’t come in before they’ll refund you? If we have to isolate for as long as we did last time, will your work allow you to do that? Can you wfh or will you need to take leave?

I’d post any gifts you’re planning on taking for them (but not the gifts for your immediate family, obviously), so at least they’ll get there, even if you can’t.

I’d buy some sweets, meat, pigs etc and pop them in the freezer, just in case you have to cancel last minute and need to whip up a Christmas dinner out of thin air.

No one knows, so it all comes down to a) your attitude to risk and b) how much you want to go.

We're booked to go skiing first week of January and I'm desperate to get back on the slopes after missing out last year (it's my favourite holiday of the year).

Unless France say we can't come, or France go on the UK gov's red list, then I AM GOING!! I'll suck up the extra PCR test costs and home isolation. But our kids are still under 5 which makes it easier for us, than for families with teenagers.

France has just announced (today) that all travellers from outside the EU will need a negative test to enter whether vaccinated or not.
None of the official websites have been pdated so I don't know when this comes into force.

<a class="break-all" href="https://mobile.francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/direct-covid-19-la-france-prolonge-la-suspension-des-vols-depuis-l-afrique-australe-jusqu-a-samedi_4865449.html?fbclid=IwAR3teLUlL_E4U-eeRuj5y5hQfNIa1arvfkm32leB65r7g48aAc2AoKvXaJ8#xtref=lm.facebook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mobile.francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie/coronavirus/direct-covid-19-la-france-prolonge-la-suspension-des-vols-depuis-l-afrique-australe-jusqu-a-samedi_4865449.html?fbclid=IwAR3teLUlL_E4U-eeRuj5y5hQfNIa1arvfkm32leB65r7g48aAc2AoKvXaJ8#xtref=lm.facebook.com/

The translation seems to include a random word (Paris) but it definitely applies France-wide

Maybe watch Euronews to get a feel if how things are likely to go?

Oh bugger! It's just more hassle. How much are the PCR tests by the way?

OK so it'll be about 200 quid for the pcr tests for the 4 of us. But then if we need them before we go too then that's 400 quid altogether. Plus the dog is 250 for vet certificate (Not covid, thanks Brexit!) So that's 650 quid before anything else. I really want to see my dad and was looking forward to it but just not sure now. We can change the eurotunnel for another date but...

@unsure87 Have you phoned the relatives and the hotel? It might be better to have conversations about it.

@OldWivesTale

OK so it'll be about 200 quid for the pcr tests for the 4 of us. But then if we need them before we go too then that's 400 quid altogether. Plus the dog is 250 for vet certificate (Not covid, thanks Brexit!) So that's 650 quid before anything else. I really want to see my dad and was looking forward to it but just not sure now. We can change the eurotunnel for another date but...

Just wanted to mention re the dog. There is a vets near the tunnel that does the AHC for £99 it is all done online and you take the dog in to check chip and pick up the certificate. There is a Facebook group Animal Health Certificate that has a lot of good and relevant I information.

I am booked to go to Germany for Christmas, staying with my sister. Currently holding of from cancelling and if things stay, more or less, as they are now, I will fly. Who knows when the next "window" would be.
I would buy FFP3 masks for the flight and am planning to "isolate" beforehand, so I don't catch it inadvertently. So no eating out, shopping at really odd, empty hours, no public transport, etc.

Read that SAGE want a five day isolation on return, which I could do - just about. The PCR is a pain, but as it's only me, the costs is not too bad.

All so uncertain at the moment.

The new rules for France start on Saturday (exact time not yet confirmed) Looks like LFTs will be OK. The testing timescales are slightly different for the vaccinated/unvaccinated.

www.thelocal.fr/20211201/breaking-france-brings-in-covid-test-rules-for-all-non-eu-travellers/?fbclid=IwAR0EqH6E2RMvvBtIiXCoDhXEeQFlvJigrSmazvDYnxwtJuYpXn75xz_XcE0

I'm on the other side. Trying to get back to the UK from France for the first time in 2 and half years....

It's all so uncertain. Again.

@BriocheBriocheBrioche

I feel your pain.
We live in France and had a lovely Christmas planned in the UK with our children and grandchildren.

No issue with the tests, but the isolation bit is going to make it almost unworkable

@Babs1937 thanks for that info, I will look into it. That's a big saving!

[quote percythewitch]@BriocheBriocheBrioche

I feel your pain.
We live in France and had a lovely Christmas planned in the UK with our children and grandchildren.

No issue with the tests, but the isolation bit is going to make it almost unworkable [/quote]
Same here. Booked to go and see my 87 year old dad for the first time in nearly 2 years, the last time I was in the UK was for Mum's funeral.
The isolation period is going to be very tricky. All bets are off at the moment about the trip going ahead

I am guessing (maybe optimistically) that the companies that offer PCR testing will step up and start to provide a service with faster results UK side. There will definitely be demand for it!

Randox have started offering a "kit" which contains everything you need for travel both ways. I am sure a lot of others will follow suit.

I hope you get to see your Dad.

We've cancelled 😕 gutted and have very disappointed children but I just can't see how we would make it work. My biggest concern was one of us testing positive before the flight then it would be a last minute panic to change plans. Will try again at Easter

@unsure87

Sorry to hear that (but I think you have made the right decision).

We are hanging on in there for getting to the UK.