What are the exceptions to France’s 18:00 curfew?

France’s national curfew, which currently starts at 20:00 in all but 25 departments of the country, will be extended to 18:00 to 06:00 from Saturday, January 16.

Curfew at 18:00 for whole of France from Saturday

The exceptions to the curfew will remain the same as for the current measures. An attestation (printed or digital) will be required for outside during the curfew hours.

Find printable, digital and English-language attestations here.

Anyone caught breaking the rule can be given a €135 fine.

This new curfew measure will remain in place for at least 15 days, France’s Prime Minister Jean Castex said.

Below, we outline the limited reasons you can go outside during the curfew hours, such as going to work or taking the dog for a walk.

Professional

If you begin work before 06:00 or finish after 18:00 you are permitted to travel between your home and place of work. You must carry with you a justificatif de déplacement professionnel, which you can get from your employer.

Equally, you are allowed to travel to go to schools, nurseries, universities, etc or for training courses. You must also keep an attestation with you, ticking the box: Déplacements entre le domicile et le lieu d'exercice de l'activité professionnelle ou le lieu d'enseignement et de formation

Health

An exemption to the curfew is made for medical consultations and treatment that cannot be provided at a distance and cannot be postponed. This is also the case for buying essential medication. Tick the box: Déplacements pour des consultations et soins ne pouvant être assurés à distance et ne pouvant être différés ou pour l'achat de produits de santé

Urgent family reasons

You are able to leave your home during curfew hours to provide care or assistance to family members in need. This includes looking after children.

You should tick the box on the attestation: Déplacements pour motif familial impérieux, pour l'assistance aux personnes vulnérables ou précaires ou pour la garde d'enfants

Judicial or administrative summons

If you are called to attend court or the police station. Tick the box: Déplacements pour répondre à une convocation judiciaire ou administrative

You may also be asked to present the summons as proof.

Charity work

You are allowed to participate in missions d’intérêt général, such as working with street teams to help homeless people.

Tick the box: Déplacements pour participer à des missions d'intérêt général sur demande de l'autorité administrative

Long-distance travel

You can go outside if you need to catch a plane, train or bus, or you will arrive somewhere after 18:00. You should fill out an attestation, ticking the box: Déplacements liés à des transits pour des déplacements de longues distances

You may also be required to present your travel ticket as proof.

Taking your dog out

You can go outside after 18:00 to take your dog for a walk, within a distance of one kilometre from your house. You should tick the box: Déplacements brefs, dans un rayon maximal d'un kilomètre autour du domicile pour les besoins des animaux de compagnie

Read more:

Curfew at 18:00 for whole of France from Saturday