I’m returning in a week, but seven friends canceled their trip. I’m comfortable with finding my way in the city and have friends living in Paris. Hope it continues to improve. The positivity rate is now 20%. I’m prepared with my own test kits, proctored and not.
Hi David! Thank you for sharing this! Do you have any recommendations on towns to stay in Brittany? Or your favorite areas to explore in Brittany? Thank you!
I took two trips to France this last month. I just came back from the most recent one yesterday. Everything David says is on point. I just would add that despite most everyone in France being "over it," you can comfortably wear a mask if you are worried and pick restaurants where spacing is good. On this last trip I traveled with my granddaughter (who was vaccinated and had had Omicron, so she was super safe), but I needed to take some precautions because I could not afford a positive test and be stuck with her (she is just 7) in the hotel before returning to the US. Where masks are especially needed: in taxis. In museums, where the crowds are tremendous (eg Musee d'Orsay). In elevators. But a good mask goes a long way and despite the recent surge, I did not catch the virus. We ate out three times a day and did everything I would have done with her before the pandemic. And it was unseasonably cold, so we could not eat outside. One tip for older adults: get your second booster two weeks before you go! The vaccination gives you solid protection against infection for about 3-4 weeks (after initial two week wait) as per NYT article today. I did that for extra security. That requirement of a negative test result to return to the US is a menace for traveling families! One tiny bright note: we felt very safe on the flight back!
Grateful for this information as I will be coming to Paris with my daughter and granddaughter. I have saved articles from previous years of monthly newsletter (before Substack). Appreciative of your information.
We are coming to Paris for Easter Week with 13yo granddaughter 🤞. Your information couldn’t be more timely. After 2 years of being VERY safe, after getting 2nd booster, after making reservations for all the places requiring them, our biggest concern remains that all 3 of us will test negative 24 hrs before departure. Trying to only think positive thoughts - about a negative test! Your posts are wonderful and have allowed us to peek at life in Paris when we couldn’t get there. MERCI🇫🇷
I returned from Paris to the bay area last week. As David writes, restrictions have been 99% removed (and the ones that remain, e.g. for public transport, are not being enforced). The challenge is the US's requirement for a negative test 24 hours before departure. I tested negative, my travel companion positive. He had to prevail on our hotel to let him stay an extra (indeterminate) amount of time. They were lovely and accommodating and brought him breakfast and helped w takeaway etc., but of course it still cost a fortune. Eventually he had to pay a local doctor 300 Euros to come to the hotel and provide him with a letter clearing him for travel (people can continue to test positive for quite a while). I traveled home but tested positive the evening of my arrival. We are both vaccinated + boosted, but even "mild covid" is no fun. I would personally not travel to Europe again until the US lifts the requirement for a negative test. Apparently the current variant is very transmissible and Europeans seem 100% over it; the election contributes to this too. Of course we had a lovely time prior to all this! -- and I am grateful for the vaccine and for the opportunity to travel.
probably better there than here (SF) where 40% of my patients had covid today.
I’m returning in a week, but seven friends canceled their trip. I’m comfortable with finding my way in the city and have friends living in Paris. Hope it continues to improve. The positivity rate is now 20%. I’m prepared with my own test kits, proctored and not.
I could share personal experience for testing positive and not being able to return…I’m still here
Hi David! Thank you for sharing this! Do you have any recommendations on towns to stay in Brittany? Or your favorite areas to explore in Brittany? Thank you!
Merci, any and all info is greatly appreciated
I took two trips to France this last month. I just came back from the most recent one yesterday. Everything David says is on point. I just would add that despite most everyone in France being "over it," you can comfortably wear a mask if you are worried and pick restaurants where spacing is good. On this last trip I traveled with my granddaughter (who was vaccinated and had had Omicron, so she was super safe), but I needed to take some precautions because I could not afford a positive test and be stuck with her (she is just 7) in the hotel before returning to the US. Where masks are especially needed: in taxis. In museums, where the crowds are tremendous (eg Musee d'Orsay). In elevators. But a good mask goes a long way and despite the recent surge, I did not catch the virus. We ate out three times a day and did everything I would have done with her before the pandemic. And it was unseasonably cold, so we could not eat outside. One tip for older adults: get your second booster two weeks before you go! The vaccination gives you solid protection against infection for about 3-4 weeks (after initial two week wait) as per NYT article today. I did that for extra security. That requirement of a negative test result to return to the US is a menace for traveling families! One tiny bright note: we felt very safe on the flight back!
Thanks David, wonderful as always. I'll be in Paris this summer!!
Grateful for this information as I will be coming to Paris with my daughter and granddaughter. I have saved articles from previous years of monthly newsletter (before Substack). Appreciative of your information.
We are coming to Paris for Easter Week with 13yo granddaughter 🤞. Your information couldn’t be more timely. After 2 years of being VERY safe, after getting 2nd booster, after making reservations for all the places requiring them, our biggest concern remains that all 3 of us will test negative 24 hrs before departure. Trying to only think positive thoughts - about a negative test! Your posts are wonderful and have allowed us to peek at life in Paris when we couldn’t get there. MERCI🇫🇷
Merci beaucoup
I returned from Paris to the bay area last week. As David writes, restrictions have been 99% removed (and the ones that remain, e.g. for public transport, are not being enforced). The challenge is the US's requirement for a negative test 24 hours before departure. I tested negative, my travel companion positive. He had to prevail on our hotel to let him stay an extra (indeterminate) amount of time. They were lovely and accommodating and brought him breakfast and helped w takeaway etc., but of course it still cost a fortune. Eventually he had to pay a local doctor 300 Euros to come to the hotel and provide him with a letter clearing him for travel (people can continue to test positive for quite a while). I traveled home but tested positive the evening of my arrival. We are both vaccinated + boosted, but even "mild covid" is no fun. I would personally not travel to Europe again until the US lifts the requirement for a negative test. Apparently the current variant is very transmissible and Europeans seem 100% over it; the election contributes to this too. Of course we had a lovely time prior to all this! -- and I am grateful for the vaccine and for the opportunity to travel.
Merci. Good information! I’m not traveling to France until September so all may change by then, but still appreciate the tips.
Perfect timing, thank you, David. Tavelling to the Provence & Languedoc area mid-month!
Excellent information, even though I have no travel plans. That NYTIMES link is so helpful!
It’s as if you’re reading my mind. We’re going to France later this month. Thank you.
Thank you very much for this, David. It is very helpful.