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Original poster

Anyone else now going to France?

800 replies

Ridingthecrestofawave · 19/07/2020 20:36

Just wanting a quick poll on what people's thoughts are about going to France with current lockdown relaxations? - Euro tunnel, caravan 2 x hotel stop offs en route with 2 DC's .....All facilities on sites open apparently but gel, masks etc needed. Wondering will it be empty? Hard work and weird to follow rules? What would you do? x

OP posts:
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barbites · 14/08/2020 16:52

@123sunshine we are the same, should have sailed tomorrow to The Somme to a isolated gite with a private pool. So gutted and £1500 down the toilet. Me and my dh have both worked throughout this and really needed a break away.

rumpleteaserspaws · 14/08/2020 18:27

@zippyswife how did you get on? I don't understand why Eurocamp would cancel your booking!

rumpleteaserspaws · 14/08/2020 18:29

@barbites you should be able to claim some of the money back on insurance surely, if you booked before the FCO advice changed?

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 14/08/2020 18:33

We have decided against going but luckily hadn't booked crossing and had free cancellation on accommodation. We could quarantine when back but I am worried that France is threatening reciprocal quarantining, so didn't want to risk that. I might have even risked that if we had a nice gite with a pool but were going to travel round a bit so we'd probably end up in a hell hole for the duration.

carlyfrench · 14/08/2020 19:51

So sorry for you all. I've also worked throughout this whole bloody time and this break was desperately needed. Feel I'm running on empty.

We've managed to rebook the return flight for next year after easyJet waived fees then got an unexpected and speedy credit on the non refundable hotel from Expedia which we've used.

Just waiting to hear from the car park, which was booked 3 hours before the announcement Angry

So, only the outbound leg of the flight down and I'm going to challenge that when I summon the energy.

barbites · 14/08/2020 20:01

@rumpleteaserspaws waiting to hear and hoping so!

pettyprudence · 14/08/2020 20:22

I am trying to decipher the transit rules, and afaik if we do not leave our car in France (eg avoid petrol stations etc), then we would not need to quarantine on return (thinking if we bombed it down to Germany we'd be ok?) but what about embarking and dimemabrking on the ferry at Calais? Is that classed as a transit in France, and therefore, quarantine applies (I have a feeling the answer is yes but hoping not!)

Zodlebud · 14/08/2020 21:15

@pettyprudence You will have been in France to transit home. You need to quarantine on arrival back in the U.K. Surely everyone would just say they hadn’t got out the car otherwise?

Jemenfouscompletement · 14/08/2020 21:20

@zippyswife
If Eurocamp cancelled they owe you a full refund.
If you want to voie up to Brittany U have a gîte free for this week due to a cancellation this morning!

Thunderpunt · 14/08/2020 21:48

[quote Zodlebud]@pettyprudence You will have been in France to transit home. You need to quarantine on arrival back in the U.K. Surely everyone would just say they hadn’t got out the car otherwise?[/quote]
If you don't leave your car at all in France you are exempt from quarantine- for eurotunnel that's no problem as you load onto the train still in your car and can't leave your car on the train, however I'm not sure how that works on ferries where you have to leave your car

fartyface · 14/08/2020 21:55

I think that technically the border is in the other country. As you pass through the port/tunnel boarding area you pass signs for France /UK and their passport control, customs checks etc. So if you can get that far I think you are fine.

I think the boat itself is in international waters although I think my first argument is stronger.

The gov must have pronounced on this.

Zodlebud · 14/08/2020 22:29

@Thunderpunt Any arrivals from France which include a transit stop are required to self isolate. A transit stop is where people can (but don’t necessarily have to) get on or off a coach, car, plane, train etc. Ferries are a transit stop.

HoldingTight · 14/08/2020 22:51

[quote Zodlebud]@Thunderpunt Any arrivals from France which include a transit stop are required to self isolate. A transit stop is where people can (but don’t necessarily have to) get on or off a coach, car, plane, train etc. Ferries are a transit stop.[/quote]
This. Please stop trying to game the system. If you're coming back to the UK from or via France (Belgium, Netherlands, etc) you need to quarantine. The better we can keep the virus contained the more normal our lives can be.

Thunderpunt · 14/08/2020 22:56

[quote Zodlebud]@Thunderpunt Any arrivals from France which include a transit stop are required to self isolate. A transit stop is where people can (but don’t necessarily have to) get on or off a coach, car, plane, train etc. Ferries are a transit stop.[/quote]
I don't know if we are saying the same thing... but to clarify- if you don't leave your car, even if you can, you are exempt from having to isolate

TippledPink · 14/08/2020 23:35

@MrsPnut Have you looked at Campbell Irvine? I used them to go to Gran Canaria a couple of weeks ago, £60 for me and 3 children for 7 days. Their own policies don't cover travelling against FCO advice but they contacted another that will and quoted me through them.

MrsPnut · 15/08/2020 06:26

[quote TippledPink]@MrsPnut Have you looked at Campbell Irvine? I used them to go to Gran Canaria a couple of weeks ago, £60 for me and 3 children for 7 days. Their own policies don't cover travelling against FCO advice but they contacted another that will and quoted me through them.[/quote]
I've booked Battleface now but thanks.

Just got to finish ironing, pack, fill the car up and go and buy some bockwurst for our first night's dinner.

notimagain · 15/08/2020 06:36

The rules for transit through France, and the definition of a transit stop are spelt out quite clearly on the UK gov website..no need to rely on incorrect interpretation of the phrase...

"You’ll still need to self-isolate if you’ve visited or made a ‘transit stop’ in the previous 14 days in any country that is not on the list. A ‘transit stop’ is a stop where passengers can get on or off a coach, ferry, train or plane. Your ticket should say if a stop is a transit stop."

www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

Thepastcatchesupwithyou · 15/08/2020 10:25

We are due to travel on the ferry on the 21st Aug, still currently planning on going as we are fine to quaratine when we get home. Our kids school go back a week later than normal so they'll only miss the first week and they can carry on with online learning. I'll check insurance and get quotes for alternatives. Do you think France is likely to impose recipricol measures ? Is full lockdown in France likely? Its not going to be worth it if we have to quarantine in france Wink Any other things we need to consider ? we due to stay near Narbonne.

icecreamvan · 15/08/2020 10:37

We’re in the same position as you @Thepastcatchesupwithyou

Still planning to go on the 18th. Happy to Quarantine and kids will miss 4 days of school but we’ll continue online learning.

We don’t live far from Dover so we’ll set out on Tuesday and if nothing is announced from France, the Eurostar is quick - I reckon we’ll get there and not have to quarantine in France.

If something’s announced before we’ll either not leave at all or turn back.

Things could change when we’re out there anyway. For us we’re escaping coronavirus by going to a very remote place. It feels like an adventure.

Thunderpunt · 15/08/2020 10:53

@Thepastcatchesupwithyou

We are due to travel on the ferry on the 21st Aug, still currently planning on going as we are fine to quaratine when we get home. Our kids school go back a week later than normal so they'll only miss the first week and they can carry on with online learning. I'll check insurance and get quotes for alternatives. Do you think France is likely to impose recipricol measures ? Is full lockdown in France likely? Its not going to be worth it if we have to quarantine in france Wink Any other things we need to consider ? we due to stay near Narbonne.
We got insured with High Risk Voyager - £185 for 16 nights - 2 Countries family of 4. Was cheaper than Battleface for us. Quite funny to see when you chose which 'area' your going to. Has things like Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Syria, Burkina Faso....... then France!
Thepastcatchesupwithyou · 15/08/2020 11:06

This has been the most on off holiday ever. We booked it in January, so we've been going and not going endlessly. We just need France to make their move now. Im hoping they get on with it so we can make a descion sooner rather than later

IAmTheWaiting · 15/08/2020 11:20

It's not the clearest. Does quarantine end exactly 14 days from the time you set foot on UK soil? Or is that full day written off in the 14 days?

Fink · 15/08/2020 11:20

Same for us. We should be going on Monday morning. Will carry through with it and quarantine on return (home school for another week) unless a mandatory reciprocal quarantine is announced before then. I'm holding off on shelling out for insurance until tomorrow but Battleface was the cheaper quote for us.

Downthegarden · 15/08/2020 11:36

Those of you who are still coming to France, be aware that the list of places where you have to wear a mask outside is being added to regularly. Several places have been added to the list from today. Also, in areas where masks aren't required all the time outside, you may still need one at outdoor events such as brocantes and markets. Do read up, unless you want a €135 fine.

pontypridd · 15/08/2020 11:54

Is there a place that we can get this information Downthegarden?

Also just more general information like R rates etc for different regions?

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