Covid-19: Emergency opticians in France

Opticians have created an emergency on-call service for people who have broken glasses or other urgent issues during the confinement period.

Published Modified

Opticians can now open once a week on a voluntary basis.

Although their activity is not considered necessary and so optician shops are closed, the emergency service is available at https://www.urgenceopticien.fr/ if you need to find an optician for urgent help.

Priority customers are medical workers and drivers who continue to work but anyone who has an emergency such as broken glasses, or an important change of correction to make can contact them.

Sunglasses are not considered an emergency and will not be sold during this period.

All departments where an optician is available are listed on the website. There are 350 shops in total.

However before going to the shop, you must make an appointment, explain the emergency situation and show a prescription and your ID.

Only one person can be served at a time, and shops cannot have more than five clients a day.

Opticians have asked the government for more material, such as masks and gloves but priority is given to other professional sectors which are considered necessary at the moment.

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France