First published on 21st March 2020. Latest update: 17 September 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented international border closures, travel restrictions and lockdown measures that are impacting fishing holidays in France. Since March 2020, a number of measures have been adopted by the UK and French governments to address domestic and international travel arrangements both during and out of lockdown.
On this page, you will find a summary of the major announcements made in both the UK and France related to travel so that you know exactly what is allowed and what is not and whether you can go carp fishing in France. As the situation has changed multiple times since March 2020, we are now only listing the latest developments. For those of you booked on a carp fishing holiday at Beausoleil, we will also outline our booking policy during this crisis to reassure you that your Beausoleil holiday is safe whatever restrictions are in place.
Can I go fishing in France?
8 May 2021 update
The UK has updated its travel advice. The rules for red, amber and green countries can be found here. The rules state that “from 17 May you will not need to complete a declaration form to travel abroad. You should not travel to amber list or red list countries or territories for leisure purposes”. France is on the amber list from 17th of May. If you travel from France to England you must: complete a passenger locator form, take a COVID-19 test, book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 travel tests – to be taken after arrival in England. On arrival in England you must: quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days, take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8. You may be able to end quarantine early if you pay for a private COVID-19 test through the ‘Test to Release’ scheme.
28 May 2021 update
The French government has announced that due to concerns over the spread of the Indian variant, people travelling from the UK to France will only be able to come from Monday May 31 if they have an “essential” reason and will then be required to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival at a residence of their own choice. Travellers from the UK must justify their trip with an essential reason, which does not include leisure or holiday trips, meaning tourists will not be allowed into the country.
4 June 2021 update
The French government has revealed today its own traffic light system for foreign travel for when the country opens to international tourists on 9 June. Outside of Europe, most of the rest of the world, including the UK, is classed as “orange”. Vaccinated visitors from “orange” countries will no longer need to quarantine on arrival and will no longer have to justify the reasons for their trip to France. They will, however, still be asked for a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours or a negative antigenic test of no more than 48 hours. Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after the second dose of an EU-approved jab – including all jabs currently in use in the UK – and it is expected the NHS app can be used as proof.
13 July 2021 update
The UK government has announced that from 19 July, travellers will no longer have to quarantine for 10 days on return from an amber-list country, if they were fully vaccinated in the UK. They will have to prove they were vaccinated at least 14 days previously, using the NHS Covid Pass (on the NHS app) or an NHS Covid Pass letter. They will still need to take a test three days before returning to England, and a PCR test on or before day day two after arriving. There will no longer be a test on day eight.
In France, from August, the health pass (ie proof of vaccination) will be required for entering bars, cafes and restaurants as well as leisure and cultural venues.
17 July 2021 update
Measures for arrivals in England from France will remain in place from 19 July. Anyone arriving from France to England must continue to quarantine for ten days at home or in other accommodation, even if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
5 August 2021 update
The UK government has announced that France is back on the amber list. Fully vaccinated passengers returning to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland from France will no longer need to quarantine from Sunday 8 August.
17 September 2021 update
On 17th of September, the UK government announced that the rules for English travellers heading overseas were simplified, with the “amber” list of countries scrapped and the traffic light designation replaced with destinations listed as either “red” or OK for travel.
Additionally, from Monday 4 Oct, if you’re fully vaccinated, you won’t need a pre-departure test before arrival into England from a non-red country and from later on in October, the day 2 PCR test will be replaced with the cheaper lateral flow.
For a list of current entry requirements in both countries and the Brexit rules, head over to this post.
We will keep this page updated as the situation evolves.
Don’t miss our 2021 special offers
Your Beausoleil fishing holiday is safe during the coronavirus crisis
We are looking after everyone
We want to make sure that you all know where you stand regarding your booking. If the borders are closed due to the coronavirus or there are travel/quarantine restrictions and you are unable to travel out on your due date of departure, and you cannot get a refund from your insurance, we will either:
- Move your holiday to a date later in the year
- Move your holiday to next year
- Make a full refund (balance and deposit). We continue to ask for the balance payment as normal when it’s due.
If you want to cancel your holiday before you’ve paid your balance payment, our standard terms and conditions apply and your deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
To summarise: you won’t lose your deposit or balance payment if there are travel restrictions at the time of your holiday. Hopefully, this will reassure you that we are doing our absolute best for our customers during this coronavirus crisis.
Beausoleil is here to stay
While there is much uncertainty ahead of us, we want to reassure you that Beausoleil is here to stay. There will be a significant impact to the temporary closure of the fishery but we will weather the storm. You can continue to book your Beausoleil fishing holiday as normal as our booking calendar is always up to date. Make sure you check our special offers page as some weeks may become available at the last minute.
We took over Beausoleil in 2011 and since then have made significant investments in the venue to continue to improve the facilities and to better look after our fish. We’ve always had and always will have an eye on the long term and we’ll be here and ready when you want to book your next fishing holiday at Beausoleil.
Keep an eye on our YouTube channel
As we get the rare privilege to enjoy Beausoleil on our own, we are taking the opportunity to put a few more fishing tutorials on our YouTube channel and on the website. I’ve got loads of ideas and at least if you can’t come to one of my tutorials this year, this may give you some ideas next time you’re out on the bank. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.
Here’s one of our latest videos, there’s plenty of rod bending action and a load of carpy chat.
Latest travel advice during the COVID-19 crisis
UK general advice: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
UK Travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
France advice: https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus
Many thanks for all your messages of support, we really appreciate it. Please be safe and look after your loved ones and we look forward to seeing you on the banks of Beausoleil soon.
Matt & Ren
