travel to france 17 year old

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Travel document for foreign minors (DCEM)

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Foreign minors are not required to have a residence permit to stay in France.

However to facilitate their travels outside France they need to apply for a travel document for foreign minors (DCEM).

The DCEM certifies the regularity of the minor’s stay in France and allows him/her to return to France or to the external borders of the Schengen area after a trip abroad without the need to obtain a visa.  .

For each trip abroad, the minor must be in possession of :

• a valid travel document (in particular a passport) ; and
• his/her DCEM.

Please find below the information relating to the stay of your minor children in France (aged less than 18 years old).

Related Cards

Visa, staying, working, fact sheet: "accompanying family" simplified procedure.

• Family members of an EU, EEA or Swiss Nationals

Accompanying family

• Fact sheet: “Accompanying family” simplified procedure
• Entering and staying in Mayotte
• Family of French citizens
• Schengen Area
• 10 year certificate of residence
• Fact sheet: short-stay visa
• Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS)
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• Fact sheet: long stay visa
• Fact sheet: Different visa categories
• Applying for a short-stay visa
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• Travel visa

Residence-permit

• Recruiting a foreign employee: cost for the employer
• Highly skilled employees: “Talent Passport – European Union Blue Card”
• Graduates – “Talent Passport – Qualified employee”
• French Tech Visa for Founders
• ‘Talent Passport –Employee of a young innovative company’ (JEI)
• Talent Passport : new business
• Talent Passport – innovative business project
• Fact sheet : Employees hired by a French company
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• Fact sheet : run a company in France
• Employees transferred within a group: ‘Talent Passport – Employee on assignment’
• Launch your startup in France
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Company directors

• Appointed Directors : Passport talent « Company director»

Startup founders

• Temporary residence permit ‘Entrepreneur/independent professional’
• Residence certificate for “Non-salaried professions”
• Temporary residence permit marked “Temporary worker”
• International service provider
• Intra-corporate transferees (ICT) : seconded employees
• Temporary residence permit marked “Employee”

Work permit

• Obtaining a work permit
• Renewing a work permit
• Fact sheet : work permit
• Service provision and work permit

Minor child of a non-European citizen

The DCEM is issued to minors residing in France when at least one of their parents has one of the following residence permits:

• Temporary residence permit (“Employee”, “Temporary worker”, etc.)
• Multi-year residence permit (“Talent Passport”, “Employee”, etc.)
• Resident card of 10 years

Minor child of a European citizen

The DCEM is issued to minors residing in France if they are covered by one of the following situations:

• Minor of which at least one parent is European (European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein or Switzerland) and has been settled in France for more than 3 months;
• Minor whose step-parent is European and of which at least one parent has been settled in France for more than 3 months;
• Minor of which at least one parent has acquired French nationality.

Authorised length of stay

If the minor is aged under 13 years old

When the child is aged under 13 years old, the duration of the DCEM will depend on the nationality of the parents and the duration of their residence permits.

• Children of European citizens are issued a DCEM that is valid for 5 years and may be renewed.
• Children of non-European citizens will receive a DCEM that is valid for 5 years unless the parents have a residence permit with a duration of less than 5 years. The DCEM is then issued for the same duration as the parents’ residence permit. If the parents have residence permits with different expiry dates, the latest expiry date will apply.

In both cases, the DCEM is renewable until the majority of the child following the same procedure as for the first application.

If the child becomes French or obtains a residence permit, the DCEM must be returned to the Prefecture of the place of residence.

If the child is over 13 years old

If the child is over 13 years old , the DCEM is valid until the child is 18 years old .

• If the parents have a residence permit that expires before the child’s 18th birthday , the expiry date of the child’s DCEM will be the same as that of the parent’s permit. However, the child’s DCEM may not be less than 1 year.
• If the parents have a residence permit with different expiry dates , the latest expiry date will apply.

If the child becomes French or obtains a residence permit, the DCEM must be returned to the Prefecture.

The DCEM application must be filed by the person exercising parental authority over the minor.

As of January 24, 2022, this can be done online on the dedicated platform . It will be handled by the Prefecture or Sub-prefecture of the minor’s place of residence.

Once the application has been accepted and when the DCEM is ready, it must be collected from the designated Prefecture or Sub-prefecture. The applicant for the residence permit must collect it accompanied by the beneficiary child.

What documents are required?

For information purposes , check out the list of documents required in support of a request for a travel document for foreign minors (DCEM) :

• List of supporting documents

If the minor child has non-European parents , the DCEM is issued against payment of a tax of €50 in the form of tax stamps when the permit is handed over.

If the minor child has European parents , the DCEM is issued free of charge.

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• 10 days in France...

10 days in France w/ teens: where to go?

I am traveling with my family to France in April. My twin 17 year old daughters have never been and will celebrate their 18th birthday while we are there! We are trying to determine whether we should spend all 10 days in Paris or do 6 nights in Paris and 3 somewhere else, like Provence. Any advice on a must-see region for my daughters? My husband and I have been to Paris several times but not for many, many years. Thanks so much for any advice you can share!

Others may have different opinions, but we would spend the entire time in Paris. The first day may be "lost" due to late arrival time, jet lag, getting to the hotel, and getting set up in your rooms. If you do relocate, that will probably be another day "lost" as it always takes more time to do so than one anticipates.

We've been to Paris several times and, believe us, there is more than enough to occupy ten days. In addition there are many day trips that can be taken from Paris that will not result in a "wasted" travel day. I'll not list them all as I'm sure others will suggest their favorite day trips.

Regardless, get the daughters involved in the planning of what to see and where to go. If they are invested in that aspect of the trip, there is much less likely chance for any friction or unhappy campers.

I would stay in Paris the full ten days but plan two or three day trips to break up your time in Paris. --

Thank you very much -- this is very helpful. We are thinking a day trip to Versaille, possibly Giverny? Do you have any suggestions on must-visit places that are a quick train ride from Paris?

Hi there, You could add a day trip to Champagne and/or Giverny. My niece who lived in Paris recommends both as lovely.

This is great! I was about to ask a similar question for our family traveling this summer with our two girls, 13 and 16! They have never been to Paris either.

Another vote for spending the entire time in Paris. I took my granddaughters to Paris for 10 days when one was 18 and the other 17. They still talk about our trip all the time, two years later. They had a ball! By about the second day, they felt comfortable enough to explore on their own. Day trips are a great idea (Chartres, Versailles, etc) but plenty to do in Paris. Check into Fat Tire Bike tours. My grandgirls enjoyed their Segway tour of the City.

We are taking our 12 year old granddaughter to Paris in April and will be in Paris most of the time -- will probably do a day trip to Giverny and to Versailles. If we do an overnight outside Paris, we will do Nantes so she can ride on the Jules Verne inspired Carousel and ride the giant mechanical elephant.

We stay at a friend's place so there is no major cost in doing a side trip -- we will probably do one to Annecy after she returns to the states, but in your case, I'd rent an apartment and not add the cost of a side trip lodging. There are just so many day trips from Paris ranging from charming villages (although April is early for that) to numerous chateaux, to interesting small cities like Rouen or Angers or Nantes. And Paris itself has so much. What a great birthday celebration. Lucky girls. I'd let each girl plan a day trip and see what they come up with. We have seen some amazing things we would not have seen otherwise except for our kids plans -- we saw the John Soanes Museum in London and the Aqueduct Park in Rome as a result of my son's plans -- and the British Library (who knew that would be so amazing) in London and St. Clemente in Rome due to my daughter's plans.

Thank you to everyone for your advice. I think it's a great idea to let each girl plan a day trip! I am looking at apartments but finding them surprisingly more expensive than getting two hotel rooms, which seems strange. If anyone cares to share a hotel they love, or knows a great apartment (or site -- Air B and B seems very pricey), would really appreciate it! And lucky to you to stay at a friend's apartment! Your granddaughter will love her trip, I'm sure!

I haven't been looking for lodging in Paris but have seen lower-than-expected hotel costs for April in Rome and June in both Oslo and Stockholm. I'm shopping the budget end of the spectrum; things might be different for the moderate and high ranges, but I suspect demand is still down, and hotels are perhaps a bit more willing to take what they can get than individual property owners. I think from the standpoint of lodging costs, there may well be bargains to be had for this spring.

The trick to booking an Airbnb is to set the filters, e.g. price limits. I just booked an entire apt. for 5 days for $642. With a washer!

When we started getting apartments in Europe 40 years ago they were dirt cheap compared to hotels and so much better -- but AIRBNB has pretty much ruined it -- things are increasingly expensive and cities, Paris in particular, are cracking down on what is essentially illegal renting. The agencies we used in Paris for years have either shut down or now just do longer term rentals from a month to 3 mos or more.

AN apartment is so much better for enjoying the city. The favorite part of my day is going out to get the breakfast bread in the morning -- I can hardly wait to take my granddaughter so she can pick out amazing breakfast pastries. And for us at least, eating in a restaurant 3 meals a day for a couple weeks is just a no go. I get sick eating that way. Having your own kitchen saves money, and lets you take advantage of the amazing produce, butcher shops and markets. But yes -- what was once a super bargain rarely is any more.

Since you've asked about hotels, our favorite is in the center of town and we can get to anywhere easily. The Hotel des Deux-Iles is on Ile St. Louis itself. There are also a couple of other hotels on the same street. Cross the river and you will be in the Marais -- cross it the other way and you'll be in The Latin Quarter. Walk to the end of the island, cross the bridge, and you'll be at the back of Notre Dame -- such as it is now as some of the immediate area is closed off. The Metro is near enough that getting anywhere is not a problem. There are also several restaurants on the island. If you decided to stay there, we can steer you to a great little place for breakfast as all hotel breakfasts seem to be over priced for what one gets.

Fantastic, thank you! I will check it out. Sounds perfect!

I loooove Paris but can't imagine staying there 10 nights. I would plan for 6 nights in Paris (4 days in the city and 2 for day trips) and spend 3 nights in another area. We enjoyed Normandy and Mont St. Michel, but others recommend Provance. Stay a few nights in Paris, then take your excursion, then back to Paris. We did that once and our hotel upgraded us on that second stay because we were valued customers. I totally love the idea of your girls choosing what they want to see though! Giverny or Versailles or Reims-all amazing!

hey hey jenny look at cross-pollinate.com booking.com put in your filters, see what comes up and check out what's available. apts hard to come by with crack down couple years ago. the three we stayed in is off the sites now. look for a family room in hotels bur an apt gives more space, some have kitchenette/kitchens, washers, balcony/terrace which come in handy. april is a busy month with it being easter and spring breaks for many. there is so much to do in paris, know that check in is 2-4pm unless early check in, where do you put your luggage if have to wait, could be hours. look for a baggage hold place nearby. check out is usually 10-11am. we like to stay in 1-7 arr (districts) and be close to things. discoverwalks.com canauxrama.com take a boat cruise on a river in paris getyourguide.com fly over paris and the world, virtual reality paris-by-tuktuk.com let the guide drive you around the city to lots of sites, you pick the tour frenchie-ftg.com under menu, sandwiches, fried chicken mygenieinparis.com unusual tours, take a look withlocals.com/ paris see what locals offer eatwith.com/ paris french quiche & crepes party. learn about cooking these in a residents home and have fun, check out what others are doing. lacuisineparis.com cooking & baking classes, food tours angelina-paris.fr rue de rivoli best hot chocolate yum, beautiful counter of bakery desserts, have lunch there montmarte artists heaven with many cafes, people painting or buy a picture, shops, sit at cafe with glass of wine and people watch, look down upon the city from sacre couer church. book you ticket to eiffel tower (toureiffel.paris) goes by time slots citywheels-paristours.com pick your day or night tour in an old vintage car have your twin daughters (love it i'm a twin) investigate and research for what they want. take a river cruise but don't do dinner. walk along the river, on isle saint louis, walk down pedestrians streets with markets, shops, cafes, so much awe and inspiration hope this helps you somewhat, ask more question, people here are willing to give you good bad and ugly aloha

This is amazing! Thank you so much for all this terrific info. I have moved on from the apartment because they are just insanely expensive and we plan to eat our meals out anyway. I have found a "family room" in the 2er. It has good reviews and is considerably less $$ than other hotels. It seems like a good location, would you agree the 2nd will work well?

Do we need to book the Louvre, etc. in advance, and are we allowed to do this since we will not have our Covid pass until we arrive and get one at a pharmacy?

Finally, my girls will turn 18 while we are in Paris. We would like a super special place for them to have their first glass of champagne on their birthday (is their a nice bar at the Eiffel Tower? Or nearby with views of it? Or something else iconic like this?). We are also trying to think of a truly wonderful day and evening for them on their birthday. I'd love to hear any blow out celebration kind of things to do. They both love theatre, music, good restaurants, etc. but anything off the beaten path would be terrific!

Thanks for all. You guys are amazingly helpful!

I think the top of the Eiffel Tower is closed in April to our disappointment. The 'champagne bar' on the tower is literally a closet where they sell champagne in plastic flutes. You can see a picture here -- so no loss. Definitely not the elegant place you want them to toast their 18th. https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/the-eiffel-tower-in-the-rain/ I'd go out for a nice dinner and have champagne with the meal. Les Ombres with its view of the Eiffel Tower through the roof would be a good place (book early as soon as you know your dates). I would think a glass of champagne with the Eiffel Tower sparkling above you would be memorable. For kids I think the look of the room is important -- Train Bleu, Bofinger, even Rotonde or Coupole have fancy rooms.

And on another, not the birthday night, for beautiful rooms and dirt cheap eating try the two Bouillon Chartiers - one in Montmartre and one in Montparnasse. No reservations for those. We are doing that with our 12 year old who eats about 3 bites of dinner; I want her to have the fancy French experience but am not willing to pay big Euros for someone who won't be relishing the meal. Both those places are beautiful and have a huge menu of okay food and adequate wine by the liter. They also have a lot of classic French dishes including snails that can be tried at minimal cost.

If you do decide to spend a few days in another region I would suggest starting there and ending in Paris -- otherwise you waste that prime vacation day before your return on the logistics of getting back to Paris for your flight. You could arrive and head that day to St. Malo if yu wanted to do Brittany -- or Bayeux if you wanted to do Normandy or Strasbourg or whatever then finish with 6 nights in Paris. I would just get a Paris apartment and do 2 or 3 days trips to add variety.

Apartment companies I have used in Paris:

Cobblestone Paris, https://cobblestoneparis.com , I have stayed in two different apartments with them. Rick Steves has recommended them.

Apartment du Louvre, https://www.apartmentsdulouvre.com . This company has two buildings in two different locations & both buildings have elevators. My mother & I stayed at their Le Marais building in the So Chic apartment in Nov/Dec 2021. We really enjoyed the location and apartment itself. With her limited mobility I chose this company for the elevator.

There is a book that has been recommended before on this site, An Hour From Paris: 20 Secret Day Trips By Train , by Annabel Simms. I have it on my Wish List on Amazon. She also has a, Half an Hour from Paris , book.

Added at 14:55 Roof top bar at Galleries LaFayette: View of the city including the Eiffel Tower.

Roof top bar at BHV Marais store across from Hotel DeVille (City Hall) at the corner of Rue de Rivoli & Rue du Temple

Many folks enjoy sitting on the stairs of Sacre-Couer and enjoy the sunset.

Of course if the park is open next to the Eiffel Tower there is that. Enjoy your trip.

I'm going to go against the grain here and suggest you NOT spend the whole time in Paris. Could you easily spend all 10 days there? Of course. But breaking it up and spending some time in another town will give them another view of France. We took 3 teens (daughter and 2 nieces) to France a few years ago and while they all loved Paris, they all preferred our time spent in Angers. It was a slower pace and we were able to let them run around by themselves unsupervised a lot more than in Paris--not that they couldn't explore by themselves in Paris, but it's much easier to get lost there, and they were able to get to know a smaller town and feel more connected to it. I'd suggest picking a mid-size town within a few hour's train ride from Paris and explore the area. I'm partial to Angers in the Loire because I lived there for a year, but there are plenty of other lovely towns you could choose. Provence is wonderful, but a bit more of a haul from Paris. Since you're going in April, be aware of Easter and closings or changes to public transportation--also be prepared that some tourist sites (especially Versailles) will be really packed Easter weekend.

Hii! I have a suggestion for birth-day for your girls. Schedule a flytographer session that day. I have used them in South America, Mexico and Italy and have always been so pleased. I am traveling to Paris in May with my son and his friend for graduation and scheduled a session for the perfect “insta-worthy” shots:) the Photographer will be familiar with where to go and the kids always have so much fun! Enjoy!

Louvre réservations, yes make them in advance.

In the before times, April was French/European spring break and school trip time. If the Pass vaccinal is dropped in April, as has been hinted by the government, you could see more spring tourism this year.

If they are old enough for champagne, they are also capable of taking over some of the trip's plans. Young adults can, and should, be responsible for some research and suggestions. They will remember it as their own trip. Hardest part for mom is to follow their lead. I've been to Paris many times, but like the rest of the country too. As an introduction, you might consider extending your arrival flight with a connection to Marseille, or even a direct flight depending on your departure city. Two or three days in the south -- with a day trip to Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Arles -- and then the TGV to Paris, flying home from there. A more rounded experience may entice first-timers to make subsequent visits. (Plan the flights as one itinerary using a multi-destination search function. They can find out how to do it.)

I love Marseille, a city of contrasts, and have spent a lot of time there, but I wouldn't recommend it as a base right now, especially for first-time visitors. Yesterday on Zoom, French friends who are there for the year described what it was like during the third garbage collectors' strike since they arrived in September. Marseille is a city that leaves no one indifferent.

Get the girls a guidebook or two and get THEM involved in the planning. You may love art; they may want to look for music. You may love impressionists and they may prefer modern art. You may want to go to Versailles. THEY may want to to go the the Loire ... or Disneyland. If so, its only a day to you, but it may be a week of harmony for all of you.

Always be open to what you stumble across. In 2015, we ended 2-1/2 weeks in Italy with two full days in Milan at the end. Why did I do that, I thought as we got there. Yuck. THEN, we stumbled onto 'Piano City' - a city wide music event - and enjoyed a day and a half of classical music and jazz in a lovely park, about a mile from the Duomo/Galleria

Anyway, that's my two cents.

-Fred, from Seattle

Thanks to everyone for suggesting getting my girls involved -- definitely the way to go! And Fred, I will do just about anything for that ever elusive week of harmony!

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Kids Solo is an Air France service for children traveling alone. Your child can use this service if they are between 4 and 17 years old on domestic flights, or between 5 and 17 on international flights. Kids Solo  conditions and fares vary according to your child's age and itinerary.

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Traveling to Europe with kids? What to know about vaccination and entry rules

Mar 31, 2022 • 9 min read

The EU has introduced flexible vaccination rules for children traveling under the EU Digital COVID Certificate © Getty Images

Do children need a booster for travel in Europe this summer? Can unvaccinated children travel? Here's what you need to know as the European Union (EU) introduces flexible travel rules for people under the age of 18.

Across the EU, tourists who completed their primary jabs more than 270 days ago need a booster to enter countries such as France , Spain and Italy  — or be considered unvaccinated and therefore subject to additional rules such as testing.

This recommendation was introduced by the European Commission (the legal arm of the EU) on February 1 under the EU Digital COVID Certificate regulation . Most EU member states adopted it, though some, such as Ireland , Denmark and Sweden , have since scrapped all COVID-19 entry requirements at their borders.

What it's like for Americans proving they are vaccinated in Europe

This week, the Commission introduced new rules on the EU digital COVID certificate that exempt children under the age of 18 from the 270 days acceptance period following the primary vaccination series. This means that children are considered fully vaccinated after having received their primary dose; whether that's a two-shot vaccine series or a one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

By April 6, this new feature will be included in the mobile app used to verify EU Digital COVID Certificates so that children's certificates remain active without the booster.

In a statement, Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: "One of the biggest benefits of the EU Digital COVID Certificate is its flexibility to adapt to new circumstances. Following discussions with member states' public health experts, we have decided that the vaccination certificates of minors should not expire. When travelling, they will be able to continue using the certificate received after the primary series of vaccination."

This exemption applies to EU and Schengen Zone citizens and residents traveling within Europe, though some countries can adopt their own entry restrictions regardless of the Commission's ruling.

If you plan to travel to Europe with kids this summer, here's what you need to know about the latest entry rules and how they apply to you, even if you're traveling from countries outside of the EU like the UK and the US.

Can unvaccinated children travel to Europe?

Generally speaking, yes. Children under 12 are typically exempt from vaccination requirements in most countries but many require that children between the age of 12 and 18 have received the primary vaccine course to avoid testing rules.

What countries in Europe have scrapped COVID-19 entry restrictions?

Andorra , Denmark, Hungary , Lithuania , Iceland , Ireland, Montenegro , Norway , Poland , Romania , Slovenia , Sweden, and the United Kingdom have recently dropped all pandemic restrictions at their borders, meaning people no longer have to show vaccination certificates or negative tests to enter these countries, regardless of where they are coming from.

Countries in Europe with travel restrictions

Here are some of the destinations in Europe that still require proof of vaccination, recovery or a negative test from travelers.

People over the age of 12 need one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory 270 days after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days); or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more: Austria Entry Requirements

Generally, people traveling from the EU/Schengen area can present proof of vaccination (booster mandatory 270 days after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days) or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (36 hours) test.

People from outside the EU or an area categorized as high-risk must present proof of vaccination. Children under 18 can present proof of recovery or a negative test. Children under 12 are exempt.

Belgium's rules vary depending on the COVID-19 risk associated with your departing country.

See more: Belgium Color Codes by Country

People need one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory 270 days after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days); or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing. Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more: Visit Croatia

People over the age of 12 need one of the following: proof of vaccination (booster mandatory seven months after primary vaccine course) or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test. People also have to take a PCR on arrival and isolate while awaiting results.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing. Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more: Visit Cyprus

People must present proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after primary vaccine course) or recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days) to bypass additional restrictions. Unvaccinated travelers from the EU and approved countries including the UK and US must isolate for seven days upon arrival.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt from entry rules.

See more: Estonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs

People traveling from the EU, Schengen Zone or approved countries including Hong Kong, New Zealand and South Korea can present one of the following: proof of vaccination; recovery certificate (older than 28 days, but no less than three months old) or a PCR (48 hours) or antigen (48 hours) test. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from testing.

People traveling from outside the EU, including the UK and the US, must be vaccinated to enter Germany. Unvaccinated 6-11 year olds can enter with a vaccinated parent; unvaccinated accompanying over-12s can provide a negative PCR or antigen test.

See more: Government of Germany

People traveling from the EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other approved countries need to present one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory seven months after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days); or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

Children under five are exempt from all entry requirements. Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more: Greece Ministry of Tourism

There are no entry rules for those traveling from the EU and Schengen Zone countries. However, people coming from third countries such as the UK and the US must provide proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after primary vaccine course) or recovery certificate (issued within the past six months).

Children born in 2007 or later are exempt if accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult.

See more:  Finland Border Guard

People must present one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after a primary vaccine course) or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (48 hours) test.

Children under 12 are exempt. Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more:  French Ministry of Foreign Affairs  

People need to present one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory seven months after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days); or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (48 hours) test.

Children under the age of six are exempt from testing. Boosters are not required for those under 18 to be considered fully vaccinated.

See more:  Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

People over the age of 12 need one of the following: proof of vaccination (second dose administered at least 14 days prior to travel); recovery certificate; or negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (48 hours) test.

See more: Discover Latvia

People need one of the following: proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past six months); or a negative PCR (48 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

Children under the age of 12 are exempt.

See more:  Visit Luxembourg

People must present proof of vaccination with a booster to travel to Malta. 

Children between the ages of five and 11 must present a negative PCR test (72 hours). Children under five are exempt.

See more:  Visit Malta  

Netherlands

There are no entry rules for people traveling from the EU/Schengen area or countries participating in the EU travel rules scheme. People from elsewhere, including the US and UK, must present proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory 270 days after primary vaccine course) or a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days but no earlier than 11 days).

Children under 12 traveling to the Netherlands from outside the EU/Schengen area must show a negative PCR (48 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

See more: Government of Netherlands

See more: Visit Portugal

People traveling to Slovakia must show proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after primary vaccine course).

See more: Slovakia Information Centre

People traveling from the EU can show proof of vaccination (boosters mandatory nine months after primary vaccine course); a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days) or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (24 hours) test.

People traveling from outside the EU must show proof of vaccination or recovery only (unless traveling to Balearic Islands where proof of vaccination is mandatory).

Children under 12 are exempt from vaccination requirements. Unvaccinated 12 to 17-year-olds can present a negative PCR (72 hours) test.

See more: Spain Ministry of Health

Switzerland

People traveling to Switzerland must show proof of vaccination ( booster mandatory 270 days after primary vaccine course) or a recovery certificate (issued within the past 180 days). 

Children under 18 are exempt.

See more: Switzerland Travel Check

Most people need to present one of the following: proof of vaccination; a recovery certificate (issued within the past six months but no less than 28 days); or a negative PCR (72 hours) or antigen (48 hours) test.

Children under the age of 12 are exempting from testing.

People from high-risk countries are subject to stricter rules including quarantine if they're unvaccinated.

See more: Visit Turkey

You might also like: Europe’s top 10 scenic train journeys for 2022 20 best beaches in Europe

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Prepare for your child's trip

How to book my child's ticket.

You can book your child's ticket online  for all flights operated by Air France.   However, if the Kids Solo service is not available when you book your child's ticket online, it may be because this service is fully booked for that flight. Only legal guardians of unaccompanied children or individuals with authorization from legal guardians can book a Kids Solo ticket.

Book a ticket on the Air France app

For children between 4 to 11* or 5 to 14** years old, you can also book their ticket on the Air France app.

Download the Air France mobile app

• on Google Play for Android
• on Apple's App Store
• on AppGallery for Huawei

* 4 to 11 years old for a trip in Metropolitan France, between Metropolitan and Overseas France or on our intra-Carribean network. ** 5 to14 years old on our international network.

My child's travel documents

To avoid last-minute stress, complete the "unaccompanied minor" form online. You will need to provide this at the moment of checking in.

How many copies of the form you should bring to the airpot varies according to your child's itinerary:

• 2 copies for a direct flight
• 3 copies for a flight with a connection
• 4 copies for a flight with more than one connection

Your child is traveling on a flight operated by our partner Delta? You do not need to complete "unacompanied minor" form. We will provide you with a specific form to fill out at the airport.

How do you change the accompanying persons details? If you want to change or correct the details that you provided for the accompanying or pick-up person, go to My Bookings :

• Click on "Modify the details of the accompaying persons" under your child's name.
• Review all the prefilled information and make any necessary changes.
• Save and downlaod the travel form you have filled out.

Travel documents and stay requirements

Passport, visas, vaccinations, entry formalities… review the entry and stay requirements for your child's trip.

Use our search engine to check all immigration, health, and customs requirements.

Any passenger under 18 years old Whether they are a French citizen or a foreigner living in France, they must obtain authorization to leave the country for any journey outside France.

• To learn more, go to our Formalities page ,
• or downlaod the travel authorization .

Connecting flights

Our service for children traveling alone has resumed on almost all of our network.

Your child's journey with connecting flight:

• The airports that allow for connections in France are Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris-Orly (ORY), and Lyon (LYS).
• Since September 6, 2023, connections to and from China are possible with a connection at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG).

Your child's journey with two connections: For the moment, the only possible itineraries with two connections are trips to and from Nouméa.

• The airports that allow these double connections are: Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Tokyo (NRT), and Singapore (SIN).
• The countries that allow these double connections are: Ireland, Italy, Metropolitan France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Please note : transfers are not available between Paris-Orly (ORY) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG).

7 Tips for How to Travel to France With Kids

• By Caitlin Shetterly
• April 5, 2024

My husband and I try to take our two sons to France once a year. During our Covid year of homeschooling, we spent Fridays learning and cooking French. Not only did it foster a fondness for the country and language in both of them, it also brought me back to my younger self who had lived in France as a young woman. I wrote about my time in France and cooking with my sons in this award-winning anthology called Breaking Bread .

France now feels like a relative to my both of sons and my husband and me. And getting ready is less stressful because we know what to expect. In the way that you know what to expect from your ersatz aunt.

If you want to take your kids to France, here are a few to-do s to keep in mind. For our tips on airlines that fly to France and when to book and how, see this informative piece (complete with podcasts!)  here .

After you buy your plane tickets, figure out where you’re going and staying:

In my opinion, Airbnb is the way to travel with kids. Having kids and their gear and noises is hard to do in a hotel. It’s hard for both you and them to relax, and it can be a nuisance for other guests. I like to be able to make my younger son a snack at 10 PM, when it’s only 4 back home and he found his dinner too odd, or he was too distracted or tired to eat, without having to call room service. Plus, I’ll never forget the time I went to a hotel with my mother when I was in my twenties and there were young children above us who sounded like a stampede of hippos. Children moving, moving, moving–this is not relaxing for other people. I choose not to inflict it on others.

If you know you are going to Paris, look at the various arrondissements before you book your Airbnb and consider what will give you and your family the most options:  The 14th and 13th are very family oriented, distinctly French areas, but they are elegant and sometimes pricy. The 10th, 11th, and 9th tend to be young, tattooed, and hip. The 1st and 2nd are fancy.

In other cities, it might be good to choose an Airbnb near an attraction you are sure to go to–and perhaps go back to. Sometimes kids get tired and you can only do half a museum or park, but want to go back. For instance, on the Dordogne river , you might want to go to Lascaux one day. And even though you hoped to hit a street fair in Sarlat , everyone’s too fried. You’ve got kayaking the next day, and a special dinner another night. If you spread yourself out over 3-4 days and are less worried about making dinner reservation times, being in an Airbnb will give you the flexibility to go take a nap, make a semi-familiar grilled cheese, take a shower, and go back out to have a low-key adventure that’s unplanned but just as (or more) wonderful.

More than anything, if you have children from 2-8, pick an Airbnb near a small park or garden to get out early and run around. Time change makes for antsy kids and having a natural place for your kids to ground themselves and do a little Ferdinand-type smelling of the flowers is a good idea.

What to book 1-2 months before flying to France:

A couple of months before you leave, book a car rental if you are traveling by car, or train or bus tickets on SNCF (download their app to your phone) and buy tickets to things you think you may want to do: one or two restaurants, perhaps. The Eiffel Tower. A film festival. The Louvre or Orsay. The Lascaux Caves . But my biggest piece of advice is very important: DO NOT OVER PROGRAM yourself or your kids. See last note at the bottom for more on this topic of being realistic with your goals and expectations.

Start packing 2 weeks before you leave:

Because I hate the stress of packing, I tend to start early–I begin pilfering from my kids’ drawers a good two to three weeks before we go, and I curate for the best, least stained t-shirts, pants, etc. I try to keep it really basic and pack less, not more, because I know we will bring back a haul of things (we’ll get to that later on in this article).

For a family of 4, you need no more than 2 large bags or suitcases and one backpack each or canvas tote bag (kids and adults). We like to take one large duffel, one hardcase, 3 backpacks, and bring a large tote as a carry on that I can easily open to pull out snacks and water.

A lot of Cat Rickman’s advice for packing for one week in France , applies to 1 month in France. In most Airbnbs you can wash your clothes–so you don’t need much more than 3 days’ worth of stuff.

Forget packing cubes, and instead pack a few rolled up cotton or nylon reusable tote bags. France has banned single use plastic. So, be prepared with your own shopping bags to take to markets and stores and, on the way home, your dirty laundry.

Your kids’ clothes should be clean, not overly formal, but also not so casual that you might project disrespect. In general, I don’t pack clothes with slogans or big labels. I like to pack one to two pairs of what we call “cozy pants,” which are sweatpants or leggings; I think  Hanna Andersson  are the best. Depending on the season, 1-3 pairs of clean shorts (one pair should be loose like soccer shorts, one pair that could be worn with a nice top, like khaki, and one jean or cut off jean). For boys, 1 collared shirt and a tie. For girls, one nice dress or fancier shirt with slacks or a skirt, and 2 more casual dresses with tights or sandals. One great pair of sneakers as your kids will walk a lot and likely complain about their legs and feet being tired. This is the one moment you might consider not getting hand-me-downs or onsale sneaks, but, instead getting a nice, new pair of sneakers and getting them fitted at the shoe shop and making sure they have good, durable laces or velcro. I like to always have one pair of Birkenstocks for inside wear and for tired feet that need to slip on something comfy, barefooted or with socks. Bring 2-3 t-shirts and one pair of jeans. Boys need one nicer pair of pants; girls do, too, unless they like dresses or skirts. Everyone needs a raincoat in the spring, a warmer coat in fall and winter, one sweatshirt, one nice sweater (wool or cashmere for ultimate warmth and wear while traveling), one long sleeved t-shirt. 4 pairs of underwear each, and one for each kid in a parent’s carry-on. And cute PJs–you never know who might see your kids outside on that Airbnb patio while you’re making breakfast. I like these organic cotton PJs from L’ovedbaby . And always always always have one pair of wool socks per person, no matter the time of year. You’d be surprise how good a pair of Darn Tough socks or Smartwools feels, even in August, on a pair of tired feet.

Backpacks: Leave room. If your kids are like mine, they will go crazy for French bandes dessinées , or graphic novels, and all of the lovely French toys everywhere. France is a country that loves children. They make so many lovely things for kids.

For the plane, pack some good books to look at or read; math, science, or French language workbooks; a deck of cards; some audio books you’ve downloaded on Audible; ear buds; a splitter so your kids can listen to the same story off your phone; plenty of high calorie snacks like cheese sticks, meat sticks, gorp, crackers, nuts, dried fruit, chips, and fruit leathers. Food will keep them happy and less antsy–but steer clear of snacks full of sugar, as that will just wind them up. I like both of my kids to have a stash of their own snacks they can easily access and graze on the entire flight.  I have a cold/hot bag with some sandwiches and apples. I give both my kids lots and lots of plastic-free sugar-free gum . Gum makes plane rides bearable.

Always carry reusable water bottles (just empty them before going through airport security and refill afterwards). Every airport on the planet, pretty much, has water fountains now. Keep your kids hydrated while flying.

Try to get everything but the last toiletries packed two-three days before you go. This will give you the presence of mind to figure out that you need a new toothbrush, or want one more activity book for that flight without TV from Lisbon to Paris.

In your carry on: Always pack a small zipped pouch with some Advil, Tylenol, Benadryl, Claritin, Neosporin, bandaids, Immodium, ex-lax, chamomile tea bags for anxious bellies, melatonin, and hand sanitizer for the plane. I like to carry a small bottle of this dry toothpaste, called Ecodent, to freshen my breath on the plane (it’s also good for you and the environment). One small pot of shea butter for chapped lips and hands and faces–the plane is drying. I like Allafia. And vitamins: I buy pill organizers for each person and put multis for the duration of the trip, a zinc each day, and a vitamin D. And then one or two extra organizers that I fill with things like vitamin C for sniffles, vitamin B tablets for kids (and adults) to give us a boost of energy, and Calm magnesium gummies for everyone.

Leave lots of room in your suitcase:

When we go to France we give each kid 100 euros to spend how they want, with some parameters. Which means you could have quite a haul when you leave.

So, roll up a small duffel bag and put it inside your suitcase. You will thank me later when you fill it with dirty laundry to make room for all of  the amazing things you’ve picked up in France and have carefully wrapped and stowed in your hard case. Some things we have brought home over the years in our hard case: olive oil, wine, Chartreuse , chocolates, organic soaps, ceramics, French shampoos, a wooden bow and arrow, new clothes, vintage clothes, Veja sneakers, buckwheat flour for crêpes, a crêpe pan, a Madeleine pan, French knives, honey, jam, salt, graphic novels, posters, vintage LPs, activity books, wooden toys, makeup, maps, etc.

Unlike in the U.S., if you road trip in France you will find that every road stop has some organic yogurts, cheeses, healthy snacks, books, maps, activity and workbooks for kids, little toys. Our younger son bought a ton of graphic novels and little books and fun games at road stops. They all came home with us.

Leave some things at home:

Buy your shampoo, soap, skin cream, and body lotion in France. You will thank me later. Every French pharmacy, on every corner, will have better skin and hair care products that cost less and are better for you and the planet than anything you can get at home. Also, why lug all that stuff? You can also get your toothpaste, tampons and pads, diapers, Covid rapid tests, you name it, in France. Keith Van Sickle wrote us this terrific piece on how to use a French pharmacy, here.

Do not overload your kids with books you hope they will read. 1-2 books–seriously. It’s exhausting to take in a new culture and language. They won’t read nearly as much as they might lying around in the Bahamas. They will be assimilating and their brains will be working overtime.

Do not pack a lot of gadgets and screens. French kids do not sit at the table on their parents’ iPhones. They sit at the table and eat. And talk. And roll their eyes at their grandparents. Don’t stress out others around you in France with your kids on loud screens. They will learn and absorb more if they are not on screens.

Leave all but one stuffy at home. Trust me, you’ll lose one and it will be a big drama. Bring one and make darn sure it’s in their backpack when you get off the plane. (Knuffle Bunny , anyone?)

Teach Your kids three words: 

Bonjour: Hello.

Merci: Thank you.

Au Revoir: Goodbye.

Now teach them to make eye contact and smile. That’s all you need. They need to say hello when they walk into a store or boulangerie, smile, and say thank you to everyone. And then need to say goodbye–when leaving a hotel, when leaving a café or boulangerie, when leaving someone’s house. Bonjour. Merci. Au Revoir. Eye contact. Smile. Make them say it as well as they can and no matter where they are or what is happening. It will go a long way. French people will think you are the world’s best parent.

Have realistic expectations:

Take the time when in France to walk, shop, eat, drink hot chocolate. It’s important to try to be in the culture. Leave a free day in each location or town, or two if you can. Go slowly so your kids can relax and truly experience it all. Don’t try to hit 12 towns and cities. Do one or two for 4-5 days each. Kids tend to see many things adults are too busy staring at their phones or talking to each other or managing the bigger safety details of the whole experience to notice. If you slow it down, they will absorb the nuances of cultural difference and this will change their lives. It might be everything from little lizards they spot along the walls, to cows grazing on fields you are driving past, to tiny, beautiful toys in shop windows, or flowers that smell unlike anything they’ve ever smelled before. Give them time to see their France, and make their own memories, down low.

A good example: When in Paris, please don’t be the kinds of parents who expect their kids to do the entire Louvre the day after you get there. Your kids will be exhausted and it will not go well. Take the Louvre in small bites–2 hours, max. Go only to the sculpture garden the first day; or only to see the Mona Lisa and the jewelry. Then go eat. Rest your feet. Or skip the Louvre and only do the garden of the Rodin museum, perhaps. (If you are there at Easter, they have egg hunts amongst the statues–a twofer!) Or just spend an afternoon watching kids sail their boats and sitting in the sun at the Luxembourg gardens. Do a carousel in the evening (they are all over France). Or take a bateau mouche  up the Seine.

Above all, and not to sound like a grandmother, but remember your kids are traveling and strung out and will need high protein, high fat, high calorie foods all day long like yogurt, sandwiches with butter and ham, or cheese, omelettes, salads with meat or fish, potatoes, and rice.  An ice cream in the afternoon never hurt anyone, and we’ve got lots of great options, here. More than anything, they need patience.

Your kids will want to come back if less gets “done” and more is experienced.

But don’t just take it from me! Go try it!

Make all your beds before you leave home. Nothing is as wonderful as coming home to a freshly made bed.

Caitlin Shetterly is the Editor-in-Chief of Frenchly. She is also the author of 4 books:  Fault Lines,   Made for You and Me ,  Modified  and the upcoming novel,  Pete and Alice in Maine , which will be published on July 4th, 2023 by  Harper Books.  She is a native daughter and she lives with her two sons and husband in an old house on the coast of Maine.

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Family travel

Everything you need to know about travelling with children on Eurostar.

Travelling with children on Eurostar

We understand that taking your tiny explorers on tour comes with unique challenges. That’s why we’re here to help everything go smoothly when you bring the kids.

Travelling with children

Children under 4 years old

Children under 4 travel for free on Eurostar – provided they can sit on an adult’s lap throughout the journey. If your tiny tot would prefer their own seat, you’ll need to buy a child ticket (more details below).

Travelling with more than one child under 4? They'll each need to sit on an adult's lap. If you’re travelling solo with two or more kids under 4, one can sit on your lap and travel for free, and you must buy child tickets for the others.

Remember, kids of any age need their own passport to travel.

Fares for children aged 4 to 11

Take the whole family to Europe in comfort with our special fares for kids aged 4 to 11 years old in Standard Class.

A child ticket can only be booked with an adult ticket on eurostar.com . If you need to book a standalone child ticket, please get in touch with our contact centre .

Children's facilities on board

If there's space, you can choose to sit around a table and spread out the colouring books or get stuck into a game on the way. Baby changing

All of our trains have baby-changing facilities. If you'd like to sit nearby, visit Manage your booking and choose your seats once you've booked.

Children's meals

Child-friendly options are available at Eurostar Café, our onboard bar buffet. We don't sell baby food, but we're happy to help by warming yours up.

If you're travelling in Standard Premier with your child(ren), you can request a child’s meal for them. Visit Manage your booking at least 24 hours before travel to let us know.

Child luggage allowance

Kids travelling on a child ticket can take:

• 1 piece of luggage (up to 85cm long)
• 1 piece of hand luggage

Pregnant or travelling solo with children under 4

We’re here to help

We know travelling while pregnant and/or with little ones in tow isn’t easy – we’re here to help.

If you think you need an extra pair of hands, you can pre-book assistance for your journey.

One of our team will be able to support you through the whole departure process, from going through the ticket gates to passing security and stepping on board.

Booking assistance

We’ll also be able to help you once your train arrives at its destination. If you only need assistance for part of the departure process, just let us know and our team will take care of it.

Some of our local providers in France and Belgium can only offer assistance to pregnant women but aren’t able to do so for adults travelling alone with children.

Please let us know  at least 48 hours in advance  if you need us.  Find out how to pre-book assistance

Unaccompanied under 18s

Unaccompanied travellers under 18 will need additional documentation for travel. Please read the relevant section below and we strongly recommend checking the latest government advice before you travel – for both the country you’re departing from and the country you are travelling to.

Children under 12 years old

Children under 12 must travel with a responsible person aged 16 or older.

Children aged 12 to 15 years old (inclusive)

Children aged 12 to 15 (inclusive) can travel on their own to some Eurostar destinations, as long as they’ve got a fully completed Eurostar unaccompanied minor form and only travel on trains departing between 06:00 and 17:00 local time. The form must be signed by their parent or legal guardian (or by a responsible adult given consent by the parent or legal guardian) at the station in the presence of a member of the Eurostar team. The child will need to keep this signed form with them throughout their journey and show it to the onboard team if they’re asked.

When the parent or legal guardian gives written consent for the young person to travel, they accept and agree that the young person will travel unaccompanied and be treated as an adult passenger for the entirety of the trip (i.e. the young person will not be supervised by a member of the Eurostar staff). The responsible person must also ensure arrangements are in place for the young person to be met on arrival.

To travel, your child will need the following documents:

• Eurostar ticket
• Eurostar unaccompanied minor form signed by a parent or a responsible adult

Please note : children under 16 years of age cannot travel unaccompanied on our direct trains to or from the Netherlands.

Teenagers aged 16 and 17 years old

Teenagers aged 16 and 17 years old can travel by themselves. However, they’ll need all the usual travel documents and must meet all the legal requirements.

To travel, they’ll need the following documents:

Children under 4

Kids under 4 years of age can travel for free and without a ticket on our routes between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, provided they sit on your lap.

Child tickets are available to purchase if you’d prefer them to have their own seat or if you’re travelling alone with more than one tot in tow.

Children aged 4 to 11 years old

If your kids are aged between 4 and 11, they get to travel with you across Europe at a discounted rate*:

£13 in Standard

£21.50 in Comfort

£35 in Premium

*Child fares will increase during the Olympic Games (24 July - 14 August 2024) to £21.50 in Standard, £35 in Comfort and £52 in Premium.

Children’s facilities on board

We know travelling with little kids means you need dedicated spaces. On our trains, we’ve got a baby-changing table, a washbasin, and a bottle warmer in coaches 7, 17 and 27. Choosing a seat in one of these three coaches will make your journey easier.

In addition to your regular luggage allowance, you can take a pushchair on board free of charge. It needs to be folded before boarding and stored in one of the baggage racks near your seat.

Unders 18s travelling on our routes between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands

All children and teenagers under the age of 18, whether accompanied or not, travel under the responsibility of their parents (or guardians or other persons whom the parents have authorised to accompany them).

Parents or guardians must make sure that anyone travelling under the age of 18 possesses the necessary documents to cross any national border.

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Travel documents

What travel documents do you need to travel on Eurostar? Find the answers you need here.

When to arrive at the station

Find out when you need to arrive at the station before your departure.

Group Travel

What you need to do If you’re travelling in a group of 10 or more people.

Select a language

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Can my child travel alone? If so, what travel documents are required?

Travelling to and from London Under 12 years old: must travel with a responsible person aged 16 or older. 12 to 15 years old (inclusive): can travel on their own on trains departing between 06.00 and 17.00 local time , as long as they’ve got a fully completed Eurostar  unaccompanied minor form . This must be signed by their parent or legal guardian (or by a responsible adult given consent by the parent or legal guardian) at the station in the presence of a member of the Eurostar team. Children under 16 cannot travel unaccompanied on our direct trains between London and the Netherlands.  The child will need to keep this signed form with them throughout their journey and show it to the onboard team if they’re asked. When the parent or legal guardian gives written consent for the young person to travel, they accept and agree that the young person will travel unaccompanied and be treated as an adult passenger (i.e., the young person will not be supervised by a member of the Eurostar staff) for the entirety of the trip. The responsible person must also ensure arrangements are in place for the young person to be met on arrival.  16 to 18 years old: can travel by themselves, as long as they’ve got all the usual travel documents and meet all the legal requirements (please see below). French citizens and foreigners living in France Anyone under 18 who is a French citizen or a foreigner living in France must complete an Authorisation de sortie de territoire (AST) form before they travel alone or without their parents. This applies to journeys from France. Documents your child will need

Passports are mandatory  for all passengers, including children Up to 16 years old All unaccompanied minors

Eurostar ticket

Eurostar unaccompanied minors form signed by parent

French citizen or a foreigner living in France who is leaving France:

As above, plus:

Authorisation de sortie de territoire (AST) form signed by parent

Photocopy of the passport of the parent who has signed the AST form

Up to 18 years old ​​​​All unaccompanied minors

French citizen or a foreigner living in France who is leaving France :

Authorisation de sortie de territoire (AST)  form signed by parent

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With what documents can a french minor travel abroad.

Verified 08 December 2021 - Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister), Ministry of the Interior

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A set of rights and duties aimed at the best interests of the child. It belongs to the parents or to a third person on the decision of the judge, until the majority or the emancipation of the child. It serves to protect the safety, health and morals of children, to ensure their education and to enable their development, with due respect for their person.

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Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Wallis and Futuna Islands

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

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The rules are different whether the child travels with one of the parents or not in the European Union (EU) or abroad .

With one of his parents

Alone or with another person.

If the child lives in France and travels with one of his parents, he must present different documents depending on the country of destination.

Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement

If the child travels to a country of the European Union or the Schengen area , he must present an identity card valid .

Warning  

since Brexit , the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union , or The European Economic Area (EEA) .

In another country

Depending on the country's requirements, the child must present 

• or a valid individual passport (which can be obtained for any minor, even a baby)
• a valid individual passport and a visa.

The family record book cannot be required even if the child and his or her parents have a different name.

To find out what documents are required by the country you are traveling to, you can consult travel advice on diplomatie.gouv.fr .

Before departure, it is strongly recommended to consult the embassy or consulate of the country of destination.

Who shall I contact

• French Embassy or Consulate Abroad

the same rules apply if the minor traveling is a baby.

Video - True or false: is the family booklet enough to travel abroad with minors?

Vidéo - Is the family booklet sufficient to travel abroad with minors?

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SMS conversation between two friends:

*So the party at your place on Saturday is still good?

*Well no... My parents don't go to Greece anymore...

I'm disgusted my brothers didn't get their ID cards...

*But I believe they can travel just with their family booklet

Is the family booklet sufficient to travel abroad with minors?

Answer: No!

Speech by expert: Sandrine, interior specialist at Service-Public.fr

Indeed, it is a received wisdom. A minor cannot travel only with the family record book. Like an adult, he or she must have either a valid national identity card or passport, both of which are valid. My advice, to make sure you have completed all the necessary formalities before your departure, I invite you to consult the sites of diplomatie.gouv.fr as well as the site of service-public.fr. Have a nice trip!

Key points:

• A minor cannot travel abroad with his family record book
• He must travel with an identity card (only in the EU) or a passport
• For all necessary formalities: diplomatie.gouv.fr and service-public.fr

A minor child who lives in France and travels within the European Union or abroad without one of his parents must have an authorization to leave the territory (AST) signed by his 2 parents. Without this authorization, he will not be able to leave French territory.

The rules depend on the nationality of the parent signing the AST.

French parent

A child traveling abroad, not accompanied by a holder of parental authority , must have subsequent documents  :

• Original of form cerfa no. 15646 signed by a parental authority
• Valid ID ID minor: identity card or passport + visa if necessary depending on the country of destination. Consult travel advice on diplomatie.gouv.fr .
• Copy of a proof of identity of the signatory parent ( identity card , passport ). The proof of identity must be valid or expired for less than 5 years. If the parent does not parental authority : business card, identity card or passport of the person with parental authority.

No other document (e.g. the family record book) may be required when the minor crosses the border, including if the minor and the parent signing the AST have a different name.

Please note

the child who leaves the city to go overseas must have an AST in case of a stopover abroad.

European foreigner parent (EU + EEA + Switzerland)

If the parent who establishes and signs the AST is European , a child traveling abroad not accompanied by a holder of parental authority , must have subsequent documents  :

• Copy of a valid proof of identity of the signatory parent ( identity card , passport or residence permit). If the parent does not parental authority : professional card or copy of a valid identity document of the person with parental authority.

No other document (e.g. family record book) may be required when the minor crosses the border, including if the minor and the parent signing the AST have a different name.

Foreigner parent of another nationality

If the parent who establishes and signs the AST is a foreigner, the child who travels unaccompanied by a holder of parental authority , shall be equipped with subsequent documents  :

• Copy of a valid proof of identity of the signatory parent : passport, residence permit, identity and travel document for refugees or stateless persons. If the parent does not parental authority : professional card or copy of a valid identity document of the person with parental authority.

Statute and miscellaneous references

Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of 9 March 2016 on the Schengen Borders Code

Civil Code: Article 371-6

Decree No. 2016-1483 of 2 November 2016 on the authorization of departure from the territory of an unaccompanied minor

Order of 13 December 2016 on the authorization to leave the territory of a minor not accompanied by a holder of parental authority

Circular of 29 December 2016 on the conditions for leaving the territory of minors (PDF - 266.1 KB)

Online services and forms

Authorization to leave the territory (AST)

What documents can a foreigners minor leave France with?

Additional topics

Identity documents required to travel by air

Parental conflict on the departure of a minor child

Travel advice

Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

European Union countries

European Commission

Map of the Schengen area

All of Europe

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in France set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact France’s Embassy in the UK .

Countries may restrict travel or bring in rules at short notice. Check with your travel company or airline for changes.

Visit TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre) for general COVID-19 advice for travellers .

Public spaces

You’re strongly recommended to wear a face mask in health settings. In some areas, people aged 6 and above may need to wear a face mask.

Passport validity requirements

If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, follow the Schengen area passport requirements .

Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

Check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.

Contact the French Embassy in the UK if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to .

Passport stamping

At French border control, you may need to:

• show proof of where you intend to stay, for example, a hotel booking or proof of address if visiting your own property
• show proof of insurance for your trip – check FCDO’s travel insurance guidance
• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your whole stay

Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through France as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.

You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area, and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.

If you live in France, read our Living in France guide for passport stamping information.

Proof of accommodation and funds

You may need to show proof of where you intend to stay. Read about documents you may need for short stays on the French government website . This will differ depending on where you are staying.

Staying with family, friends or a third party

You may be asked to provide an ‘attestation d’accueil’ (welcome invitation) from your host. The French resident hosting you must get the ‘attestation d’accueil’ from their local mayor’s office, and send the original ‘attestation’ before you enter France. Be prepared to show proof that you have at least €32.50 euros a day for the duration of your stay.

Second homes in France

You will need to be able to prove ownership or tenancy of your property, such as a tax or utility bill.

Staying in a hotel or other commercial accommodation

You may be asked for confirmation of your reservation when entering France. Be prepared to show proof that you have at least €65 euros a day for the duration of your stay.

Other circumstances

If you do not have an ‘attestation d’accueil’ (welcome invitation) or any pre-booked accommodation, you may be asked to prove you have at least €120 euros a day for the duration of your stay.

For more information on these requirements, visit the French government’s website on travel conditions for British citizens.

Visa requirements

You can travel to countries in the Schengen area, which France is part of, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

If you are travelling to France and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you will need to meet the French government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa you may need on the France Visas website .

If you are travelling to France for work , read the guidance on visas and permits.

If you stay in France with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

British citizens who cannot return to the UK before their visa, permit or visa-free limit expires should contact their local prefecture in France .

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and vaccination certificates you may need on TravelHealthPro.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of France. Check the French Directorate General of Customs and Excise website . Declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food and drink into the EU

You cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions for medical reasons, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons. Check the rules about taking food and drink into the EU on the European Commission website.

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• Air France >

Air France: Children Flying Alone

• Planes & Seat Maps

What is Unaccompanied Minor Service?

Young children traveling without a parent or legal guardian are considered to be Unaccompanied Minors. Most airlines provide a service to assist these children from their point of departure to their final destination.

What age does my child have to be to qualify as an Unaccompanied Minor?

Traveling within France or a French territory, the service is mandatory for children ages 4-11 traveling without an adult who is at least 16 years old. Children ages 12-17 years are not required to travel as unaccompanied minors, but the service is optional for this age group as well. For international flights, children ages 5-14 must use the service.br /> Children under 5 years of age are not allowed to travel unless accompanied by an adult who is at least 16 years old.

What are the fees associated with this service?

• Domestic flights: 30-90 EUR depending on the distance traveled
• International flights: 50-75 EUR depending on the distance traveled

Are there any flight restrictions?

Contact Air France for more information.

How do I book this service?

Call Air France Reservations.

SeatGuru was created to help travelers choose the best seats and in-flight amenities.

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International travel documents for children

See what documents a child needs to travel to or from the U.S. alone or with a parent or relative.

Children traveling to the U.S.

All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents such as a passport or document from a Trusted Traveler Program to enter the U.S. If you travel or are going to travel with a child, consider taking the following documents:

• If the child is traveling with only one of their custodial parents, they must have a letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent or signed by both parents. The letter should say "I acknowledge that my son/daughter is traveling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission."
• If one parent has sole custody of the child, a copy of the custody document can take the place of the other parent's letter.
• Parents who frequently cross the border by land with a minor must always carry a letter of permission from the other parent.

U.S. citizen children traveling abroad

Ports of entry in many countries have security measures to prevent international child abduction . If you are traveling alone with your child, you may be required to present documentation proving you are the parent or legal guardian. You may also need a letter of permission from the other parent for your child to travel. 

If your child travels alone, depending on the country, they may be required to present a notarized letter from both parents or their legal guardian. If a minor is traveling abroad and is not accompanied by both parents or a legal guardian, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting and ask about entry and exit requirements for that country.

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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France: confusion continues on rules for teenage travellers

People aged 12-17 can travel to france with a vaccinated adult – but not necessarily enter venues once there, article bookmarked.

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British families with half-term holidays booked to France are facing conflicting accounts of the nation’s strict Covid rules.

After almost four weeks, French frontiers opened to UK travellers in the early hours of Friday morning . Fully vaccinated adults are now allowed to go on holiday to France, as are under-12s accompanying them.

Initially the rules appeared to insist travellers aged 12-17 must also be fully jabbed .

But now a different version of the regulations for young people has emerged. They will be admitted to France if they accompany a fully vaccinated adult and can produce a negative rapid antigen test result taken in the 24 hours before departure.

This follows the practice adopted by nations such as the UK and US for travellers under 18.

Once in France, though, access to venues from cafés to ski lifts could prove difficult for children aged 12 years or above.

The standard proof required by venues is a smartphone pass sanitaire (health pass).

Access to almost any venue in France requires the traveller to prove – usually via the TousAntiCovid smartphone app – that they pose little risk.

Currently evidence of a negative test or recovery is an acceptable alternative. From later this week, though, the pass sanitaire becomes a pass sanitaire vaccinal – with only vaccinations acceptable.

British travellers over 16 will be expected to be fully vaccinated and should be able to access proof of their jabs through the NHS app.

Vaccinated children aged 12-15, or their parents, can apply online for an NHS Covid Pass letter , which is then posted out to them.

Under-16s can instead take a rapid antigen (lateral flow) test in the 24 hours before intending to access the venue. This option will not be open to 16 -and 17-year-olds.

Alternatively, they can provide proof of contracting Covid-19 between 11 days and six months ago – though obtaining official certification in the UK can be difficult for young people.

The French ban on British travellers was imposed on 20 December 2021 after Boris Johnson talked about a “tidal wave” of Omicron infections in the UK.

The frontiers opened on 14 January – because of what the Interior Ministry in Paris termed “the predominance of the Omicron variant both in France and in the United Kingdom”.

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Traveling to France with a Baby

Many people don’t think of France as a baby-friendly destination and head to Italy , known for being a baby-loving country, instead. However, visiting France with a baby or toddler can be a fantastic experience as you see this stunning country through their eyes.

When it comes to infrastructure and facilities France isn’t the easiest for babies and little kids, but there’s no shortage of great places to enjoy for families. French people do get around a lot with their babies, but you just need to adjust your expectations and come prepared.

I took my first trip to France with a baby when my first son Dylan was only 3 months old – we had a blast! It was a completely different experience with a baby from my million trips to France before, and when I lived in France as a student . After we had our second son Holden we moved to Annecy for a few months and traveled around the country with a baby and toddler a lot.

Best Places to Visit in France with a Baby

The best places to visit in France with a baby are places you want to see: there are no bad places in my opinion. Paris, Normandy, Provence , French Riviera , French Alps, Alsace – we had a blast everywhere.

Babies and young children don’t require tickets to museums and they ride on public transport for free.

Traveling to France with a Baby:

When you travel to France with a baby or toddler you might see a lot of parenting differences. Remember, your baby will be just fine if they need to accommodate different flavors or schedules – don’t worry 🙂

Europeans are minimalists when it comes to babies, so there’s no need to pack everything for a trip to France with a baby. Read more on  packing for holidays with a baby .

French people tend to bundle their babies a LOT which might come off as a surprise. I always saw babies and toddlers bundled in snowsuits and stroller bags with hats and gloves on, while my kids were running around in a hoodie.

Where to Stay with a Baby in France

I will say that there’s Paris and then there’s the rest of France because in Paris rooms are small and unless you stay in a more luxurious hotel there’s no way they offer a baby crib because there’s simply no space for it anywhere (even if you bring your own). Keep the room size in mind if you’re booking a room in Paris !

Outside of Paris many hotels will provide you with a crib or at least a space of your own. I tend to book places that offer it because it’s less luggage to carry for me. You might have to reach your room by stairs but most hotels offer to keep your stroller at the reception.

We even stayed at a French chateau with a baby in Provence and it was awesome!

Pack a noise machine, even if you don’t use it at home. French buildings have squeaky floors and aren’t always soundproofed.

Camping is also a popular option in France with babies. There are many family friendly campsites in France.

Do Babies Need Car Seats in France?

In private cars including rental cars, kids and babies are required to have car seats in France. Car seats are different in Europe than in the US (chest straps are illegal for example) and most toddler car seats use seatbelts. Laws are also different in terms of booster seats, so if a 3-year-old is tall enough like mine they will fall into a booster category.

Most taxis in France will not have a baby car seat, because legally they aren’t required to have one so be prepared to just hold a baby on your lap. Now, I’m not telling you to keep your baby unsafe but that’s the reality…

The problem with bringing your own car seat is that most drivers won’t wait until you install a car seat, simply because there’s usually nowhere to park so you might be installing a car seat while the taxi is moving. Some might not even stop for you if they see you have a car seat.

If they do, and miraculously there’s a space to park for them, they might charge you way more and I’m saying ridiculously way more.

However, you can surely order a taxi with a car seat – we did it in Paris on various occasions. It doesn’t cost any more! You can reserve a taxi with a car seat in advance via the G7 taxi app .

Regardless, you should always have travel insurance, especially when traveling with a baby. You can add your baby (up to 3 kids actually) to your own policy when booking with  Safety Wing .

Flying with Babies to France

If you want to bring your own car seat (most tourists won’t get into any trouble with the police; it only matters in case of an accident as the insurance could technically refuse your claim because of the non-EU approved car seat), remember that it’s not common to keep babies in car seats on planes in Europe. If you’re flying Air France (or other European airlines) make sure to check.

Many aircrafts don’t allow car seats at all, especially in higher cabin class. Rear facing car seats (which includes ALL infant car seats basically) are basically not allowed on board unless someone isn’t sitting in front of you as they limit the recline and must be placed forward-facing. Here’s a full policy.

Also note, that any equipment designed for children to sleep (like JetKids) is not permitted on board Air France aircraft.

If you’re flying with a baby internationally I have more tips in this article . If your baby is less than a year old you might want to book a baby bassinet – it’s free!

Is France Stroller Friendly?

Many people will tell you that getting around in many cities in France, especially Paris with a stroller is next to impossible. I’ll say let’s not exaggerate as long as you have an appropriate stroller.

By appropriate travel stroller I mean just like anywhere else in Europe:

1. Don’t even think of bringing a double stroller, it won’t fit anywhere.

If you have two kids you can get a buggy board for the older, but everyone sane in Europe has one stroller per child when traveling.

2. Don’t bring a giant full-size stroller, you’ll be doomed everywhere as it won’t fit.

Babyzen Yoyo stroller was invented in France for a reason – lightweight, quick to fold, narrow. Elevators are also uncommon in many parts of France so you will be carrying your stroller up and down the stairs a lot, including hotels or apartment rentals.

3. Don’t buy an umbrella stroller with crappy double wheels.

While you can think they are cheap and small so can be carried and folded, similar to Italy, they won’t go far in France as there are cobblestones and uneven sidewalks everywhere.

You’ll see many people with a stroller everywhere. If you’re planning on hiking you obviously need a baby carrier as well, but I wouldn’t recommend venturing without the stroller – babies sleep a lot and even non-napping toddlers might be tired after exploring for the whole day and need a place to nap.

Renting Baby Gear in France

There are plenty of baby gear rental companies that will deliver to your address in Paris or anywhere else you’re visiting. Some good recommendations: Kidelio , Babytems , PonyonWheels .

I know many Americans are wondering about SNOO rental in France. Snoo doesn’t offer a rental option in Europe and gear rental companies don’t offer the Happiest Baby Snoo bassinet either, as it’s not a popular item in Europe. In fact, I’m yet to even hear about anyone ever using it in Europe (and I’m from Europe, so obviously know a lot of people here and there).

Baby Products and Diapers in France

There’s no shortage of diapers, formula, or baby food in France. You can buy everything at the supermarket, not always at pharmacies. In fact, many options in France are as good or better.

Make sure you know your baby’s weight in kilograms for diapers! Do They Sell Pampers in France? They do!

French baby food is actually awesome. They sell many jars of organic fruits, veggies, chunky meals, snacks, and anything your baby might like. If you want organic, look for items labeled “Bio” or “Agriculture Biologique” (certified organic

If you need a formula, remember that in France just like anywhere else in Europe most formula cans are numbered:

• 1: under 6 months
• 2: 6-12 months
• 3: 12m-2 years
• 4: over 2 years

Important: many grocery stores are closed on Sundays and nothing is really opened on Christmas or Easter. Plan your shopping ahead.

Baby Clothes in France

France offers amazing baby attire for every budget and it’s a completely different shopping experience: my toddler got balloons and lollipops every time we went to get something. I recommend La Redoute and Jacadi – they will last you forever!

Bringing Babies to Restaurants in France

The only place I’ve ever encountered a high chair for a baby in France was a hotel room at the Four Seasons in Paris… because they literally provide you with everything and even our cat got a custom cat food menu. Anywhere else – forget it.

You’ll see babies being fed in strollers (and this is why again, you need your stroller to be small enough to fit at the restaurant), or on parent’s lap.

If you have an active baby or toddler you might want to bring a portable high chair – just keep it under the stroller when you walk around.

Kids menus in France as usually smaller portions of the adult menu, but there’s not as common. I’ve even seen tartare on kids menu in Annecy.

Fun fact: the exception to this rule is usually Michelin star restaurants, especially in Paris. Many Michel start restaurants allow kids and welcome them with high chairs, coloring books, chicken nuggets or other beloved food items, so definitely don’t scrap the idea of fine dining in France.

Also, note that the restaurants only start serving dinner from 7/7:30 pm (if you see something opened earlier it’s either a tourist trap or they’re open for snacks and drinks only). Europeans have no issues with babies out late, but just remember to have snacks for the kids if they get hungry earlier.

Changing Tables in France

You should be prepared to change your baby in the back of the rental car, stroller, or random spots. Another reason why having a stroller is handier than only bringing a baby carrier, is because you can keep things underneath. A changing mat is recommended!

Public Transportation with Babies in France

Public transportation in France works well and it’s perfect. People generally use the metro when they have to travel a lot in France, especially having kids alongside. Getting into the metro might require going up and down some straight, so don’t bring a ton of luggage.

The trains are excellent as your baby or toddler can move around vs being strapped into a car seat. The trains are spacious, quiet, and even have baby-changing stations on board .

Road Trip with a Baby in France

Sadly the trains and buses don’t go everywhere, so you might need to rent a car in France. Keep in mind that highways have tolls and it can add up a LOT (sometimes it costs 8 EUR for a quick 5 minute ride).

French rest stops almost always have a bathroom and even playgrounds. This makes trips with babies more convenient.

Do you have any questions about traveling to France with a baby?

Share this:

Notify me of new posts by email.

Monday 3rd of July 2023

Thank you so much for this! Preparing to travel to Paris with our (will be) 8 month old son.... KEEP ON TRAVELING!!!!

Wednesday 24th of May 2023

So helpful. Thanks for sharing! First time traveling to France with 5mo!

Thursday 28th of September 2023

@Heidi, just wondered if you knkw if the rule where taxis dont need car seats still appliess? Very aware this was written a few years ago! Thanks 😊

Saturday 6th of May 2023

Thanks for sharing such a unique and useful article, it's great.

Tuesday 3rd of January 2023

Thank you for writing this detailed blog - super helpful as we prepare for our France trip (from Australia) with our 8mo

Wednesday 22nd of March 2023

@Bonnie, am really interested in what you are planning. I'm also from Aus, and looking at a France trip in May/June with our 6.5mo. Likely 3 weeks duration.

Thursday 1st of September 2016

I am very impressed. You are truly inspiring. Thank you for showing that where is the will, there is a way!

Sunday 25th of September 2016

Thanks Zhanna!

Handy Guide to Visiting France with a Baby or Toddler

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. FIND MORE INFO IN MY DISCLAIMER.

Home » Handy Guide to Visiting France with a Baby or Toddler

France boasts authentic sleepy villages, spectacular cuisines, unequaled wine tasting, Roman ruins, and of course, a rich and enviable history of some of the world’s greatest artists such as Picasso, Cézanne, and Gauguin to name just but a few.

From the iconic streets of Paris and the iconic bazaars of Marseille to Cannes, the Mediterranean mecca of film stars, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, which is famous for being the birthplace of Nostradamus.

There’s no shortage of great places for any adult to enjoy!

The lingering question, however, remains; can you travel to France with a baby or toddler in tow?

France with a Baby or Toddler Travel Guide

Ps . Click here to grab loads of baby/toddler travel tips. Here is a guide full of other ideas of  where to go on a holiday with a baby ?

  1. When to Go

July and August is the high tourist season in France, prices will double in comparison to other times of the year and popular destinations will be packed.

December to March is skiing season and the French Alps would be quite busy.

You should, however, remember that France is a diverse country and the weather varies from one region to the other.

Therefore, choose when to go depending on what you and the baby want to enjoy.

Generally, you can consider going from April to June and September to November.

Remember to reserve hotels and restaurant in advance if you’re planning to travel during high seasons periods.

2. What to Bring

Traveling with a baby requires you to bring specific travel baby gear (or toddler travel essentials ), and it’s no different when visiting France with a baby.

You may deliberate on the things to bring, but your decision should be significantly influenced by the importance of traveling light and also with the things that the baby will need, but are not efficiently available in France.

– Strollers or Carriers

This may be surprising to you, but France is not a stroller-friendly nation. Getting around in many cities in France, especially Paris with a stroller is next to impossible.

Many places including Metro stations, buildings, hotels, cafés and museums have lots of steps so it’s difficult to move around with a stroller. Elevators are also uncommon in many parts of France, making it even more difficult to go to tall buildings with a stroller.

Small towns also have beautiful cobblestone roads and alleys, which make stroller rides way too bumpy.

Consequently, you should consider bringing with you a carrier or a sling instead of (or at least together with) a stroller. We also prefer travelling with a backpack diaper bag to balance out the baby on the front.

If you have to bring a stroller with you, consider a lightweight umbrella stroller that you can easily fold-up in compact and overcrowded places.

– Car Seats

Taxi’s in France will not have a baby car seat (because legally they aren’t required to have one).

So if you wish to have baby secure for taxi rides you might like to bring along your own car seat (A problem is that many French cab drivers are rudely impatient and may rush you while you’re still installing the seat.)

We hired a car for our France road trip and simply grabbed a car seat from the car hire company.

Here is our guide to help you find the best travel car seat for your needs.

– Baby Formula, Diapers and Baby Food

Avez-vous du lait bébé? (Do you have baby milk?).

This is a question you’ll ask a couple of times and the answer will always be encouraging. That’s because many French supermarkets are remarkably well-stocked with virtually all baby supplies that you may need or find back home.

– Portable High Chair

You’ll be shocked to find out that it’s not in the French culture to provide high chairs in restaurants like it is common in North America and other parts of the world.

With that in mind, you should consider carrying with you a lightweight portable high chair for the baby or be prepared to balance your baby on your knee whilst you eat.

– Baby or Toddler Beach Shoes

It is a good idea to take baby beach shoes with you when you go on vacation with your baby (especially since many beaches in France as pretty rocky or full of large pebbles)

These beach shoes will help protect your baby’s feet from the hot sand and sharp rocks at the beach.

With baby beach shoes, your baby will be comfortable, safe, and able to enjoy playing in the sand without worry. To help save you time, we have compiled a list of our favorite baby beach shoes (plus shoes for toddlers too).

3. Getting around France

– Metro and Train

These are some of the good options to consider. They’re not only convenient but are also cheap if you want to travel in a large country such as France.

If you are planning on making use of the trains, do ensure that pack light and that you take minimal luggage with you.

– Car Rental

There are numerous car rental companies in France.

We decided to rent a car as it simply makes life so much easier.  We dragged our luggage together with our baby onto trains in Japan and found it so tiring and challenging that we decided never to do that again!

Driving in France is really easy.  Just be sure to stick to the speed limit – we received two nasty fines when we got back home.

You can compare car rental with Webjet to get an idea of how much it would cost.

– Taxis

You can as well consider using taxis, but they’re very busy and so you should consider booking them in advance. Remember; bringing your baby’s car seat is very important.

We weren’t fans of using taxis, we thought they were expensive and had some bad experiences with very rude taxi drivers.

So we much prefer using a rental car where we can.

4. What to Expect

– Restaurants

The French are widely known for their love with food and eat out a lot more often. They have some of the best dishes in the world, which you should obviously experience.

However, you should never expect high chairs in almost every part of France. This is where your portable high chair will be of great use.

It is also important to note that the restaurants only start serving dinner from 7 – 7:30 pm which can be pretty late for a little baby.

– Accommodation

There are various forms of accommodation that you can go to in France. They include; self-catering homes, villas, and hotels.

We personally preferred  Airbnb homes and villas as are more affordable, more spacious and often comes with a baby crib, a kitchen, and a washing machine. We managed to get baby cribs for all of our Airbnb stays, but the hosts did request extra money for them.

If you choose to stay at a hotel, do check whether the hotel has baby-friendly amenities before making reservations.  We often found that the hotels didn’t have baby cots available or that the rooms were too small for a cot.

Here is a handy guide if you wish to take along your own portable travel crib .

Also, check if the accommodation has a lift or request a lower level room.

Further Reading:

• Best Family Hotel in Paris Guide

– Baby Facilities

You’ll be surprised that many places in France do not have baby changing facilities. You should be prepared to change your baby in the back of the car or in random spots.

So make sure you have disposable changing mats with you.

– Breastfeeding

You’ll rarely see anybody breastfeeding in public, so I would recommend that you bring a cover-up so you can breastfeed more discreetly.

5. Best Regions for Kids

Some of the places that you may want to consider when traveling to France with a baby include, but are not limited to; Normandy, Brittany, Corsica, Monaco, French Riviera, French Alps and of course, the classic French countryside of Provence.

We were much more relaxed in smaller villages or in touristy cities such as Nice.

Going for a memorable holiday with a baby is always tough.

From finding a destination that’s safe, baby-friendly, and not too strenuous a journey for the baby to ensuring that it’s extraordinary enough to provide you with nice holiday snaps to embarrass your baby with for many years to come.

Fortunately, France comes close to being this destination.

It’s unquestionably the most diverse country in Europe. It has the ability to lure many people to its shores with its expansive natural beauty.

From having some of the most celebrated mountains (the French Alps) in the world to having Europe’s finest coastlines, France remains one of the world’s most distinguished travel destinations if not the most distinguished.

However, before heading out to France with your baby, using the above tips will make your travel much easier and very memorable.

Over to You:

• Have to been to France with your baby?  Do you have any tips to add?
• If you are traveling with kids, you might be interested in checking out our guide to finding the best kids ride on luggage . This might help you along the way.
• Inspired to travel more with your toddler? Read our post about the best holiday destinations for toddlers .
• Want to explore more of Europe, check out this list of the best places to travel with toddlers in Europe for more ideas of where to go.

Jolene Ejmont

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

You can travel around this European country loved by celebs for less than £50

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France is a popular destination for holiday goers, with its impressive architecture, fabulous cuisine, wonderful wine, and interesting history.

And if you’re thinking of visiting this summer then you might be able to see much more of the country for less than £50.

You can explore celebrity holiday hotspots like Cannes, Nice and Antibes, as well as the city of love for cheap.

Following similar successful schemes in Germany and Portugal , France has announced the launch of a new nationwide unlimited travel pass for just €49 (£42) a month.

The unlimited travel pass will come into effect between July and August, coinciding with the 2024 Olympics .

But there is a catch. It’s only available for those aged 26 and under.

Specifically, the unlimited travel pass will apply to journeys not only on France’s Intercity and TER trains, but also local buses, metros, and trams.

This means that travel across Ile-e-France — home to Paris — and high-speed TGV trains will require additional tickets and will not form part of the discount. 

So, you won’t exactly be in your Emily in Paris era, but you’ll still be able to explore places like Bordeaux and Marseille.

French president Emmanual Macron previously announced his intentions to introduce a national rail pass back in September 2023.

Que les moins de 27 ans puissent voyager en train de manière illimitée en France : devant Hugo, j’avais dit banco ! Le Pass Rail à 49€ par mois devient réalité dès cet été. Où irez-vous ? — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 3, 2024

He said this during an interview with YouTuber HugoDecrypte, and confirmed that the plans were inspired by Germany’s deutschlandticket.

‘I have asked the transport minister to launch it with all the regions that are willing to set up this system,’ Macron said at the time .

It was initially hoped that the travel pass would apply to all ages, but even so, 700,000 young people will be able to benefit from the pass.

Passes will be available to purchase from 15 June through SNCF-Connect.

How far in advance should you book a holiday?

Travel operator Ski Vertigo told Metro the best times to book 2024 summer getaways.

• For European trips, the sweet spot is 141 days — booking that far can lead to savings of 47%.
• For the Eurostar, it’s 120 days.
• For long-haul fights, you should book 178 days in advance, as this can give you a 54% reduction in costs.

Where else in Europe can I travel via train?

France is the latest European country to introduce these dreamy travel passes.

This craze all started with Germany’s €49 deutschlandticket, which applies to all public transport modes in the country for people of all ages.

Portugal’s €49 National Rail Pass is also available for people of all ages, although it doesn’t apply to buses, urban transport systems, and intercity routes.

Meanwhile, a three-day rail pass across various regions in Italy will cost €29, while five-day tickets are priced at just €49.

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What does the week have in store? Your tarot horoscope reading for April 8 to April 14

Belgium’s aptly-named Youth Holiday Pass costs just €35 a month, with under-26s getting unlimited rail travel during school holiday periods.

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100-Year-Old Photos of the World’s Most Beloved Landmarks

Posted: November 21, 2023 | Last updated: November 21, 2023

Incredible attractions and how they’ve changed

In the Roaring Twenties, a booming global economy and an optimistic post-First World War atmosphere led to a surge in tourism. This was the first decade that passengers could experience plane travel, although it was a luxury available to the wealthy few. Even so, many people began to embark on vacations at home and overseas, being able to see some of the world’s most famous landmarks up close for the first time. Here’s what they looked like around 100 years ago, compared to today.

Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France

With its ornate, Neoclassical and towering 164-foot (50m) frame, it’s hard not to be impressed by the Arc de Triomphe. It’s not surprising, then, that the lavish landmark took a whopping 30 years to build. Commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806, the arch stands at the center of the aptly-named Place de l’Étoile, or Star Square, whose streets radiate outwards in a star-like formation. Pictured here in 1929, it’s surrounded by electric street lights – Paris was the first city in the world to introduce this innovation in 1878.

Hollywood sign, Los Angeles, California, USA

Arguably even more well-known than the place itself, the Hollywood sign was erected in 1923 – but it once read “Hollywoodland”. In the 1920s, Hollywood was beginning to be recognized as a hub for the movie industry, so real estate developer Harry Chandler built the sign to advertise his new, upmarket housing development. It’s shown here in 1925 with a group of surveyors posing beneath it. The sign was only supposed to last a year and a half, but it has stood for almost a century. 

Incredible images of world-famous attractions under construction

So when did it lose those last four letters? During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the Hollywoodland housing development went bankrupt and maintenance of the sign fell to the wayside. When the sign came under city ownership in the mid-1940s, it was almost razed, but the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce decided to axe the “land” part instead. It was then completely replaced in the 1970s, funded by Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner and other celebrity donors. Seen here from LA, the sign is now synonymous with Tinsel Town.

Times Square, New York City, New York, USA

As recently as the 1880s, Times Square (then known as Longacre Square) was a fairly empty space with a smattering of apartments. But that all changed in 1904, when The New York Times built a huge tower here for its new headquarters and the area was renamed Times Square. In the 1920s, West 42nd street became a stop-off point for new subway lines and bus routes, cementing the square’s position as the hub of the city.

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The area’s reputation dwindled in the 1960s and 1970s, as it began to be associated with crime and adult entertainment – in fact, by the late 1970s it was receiving the most crime complaints in all of the city. Plenty of money and resources were plowed into redevelopment projects from the 1980s onwards. Today, Times Square is known for its splashy billboards and neon lights, and while it might be preferred by snap-happy tourists to locals, it remains one of New York City's most recognizable attractions.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Despite backlash, building works went ahead and the Eiffel Tower was completed on 31 March 1889. Although it was only meant to last 20 years, it began to be used as a radio antenna for communications in the late 1890s, and city officials allowed it to stay. It’s a good thing they did: nowadays, the landmark is typically visited by around seven million visitors a year and it’s one of the most popular attractions in France. 

Discover the famous landmarks that were almost destroyed

Taj Mahal, Agra, India

As perfectly preserved as it may seem, the Taj Mahal hasn’t been immune to damage over the years. In the late 19th century, following significant neglect and decay, a massive restoration project took place under the order of Lord Curzon, the British viceroy of India. Today, concerns have shifted towards air pollution emitted by nearby factories and cars, which threaten to taint its shining marble façade. The landmark is so popular there are now caps to visitor numbers – it used to be 20,000 people per day, but has been reduced to 5,000 since it reopened in September 2020.

Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Visitors over the centuries have been wowed by Rome’s Colosseum, and it’s easy to see why. So it’s all the more astounding that this 620 by 513 feet (199 by 150m) amphitheater was built more than 2,000 years ago. Construction began around AD 70 and 72 and lasted for about a decade – the finished amphitheater had space for 50,000 people. However, it has suffered significant decay: by the 20th century, around two-thirds of the original building had been lost due to neglect and damage by several earthquakes.

The Colosseum we see today is a result of extensive restoration in the 1990s. While it may no longer host gladiator fights, the amphitheater puts on regular exhibitions about ancient Roman culture, which are shown to its roughly seven million annual visitors. In December 2020, the Italian government pledged €10 million ($12.2 million) towards another restoration project, which will include a new, retractable floor to reveal secret underground tunnels that were used by gladiators in Roman times. 

Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany

One of the few significant landmarks in Berlin to survive the Second World War, the gate has come to symbolize the division between the East and West – and subsequent unity. In 1961, when the Berlin Wall went up, the gateway was enclosed in an exclusion zone meaning people couldn’t see it. Since Berlin was reunified in 1989, it’s become one of the city’s most popular attractions.

Then and now: how city skylines have changed over time

Stonehenge, Salisbury, England, UK

A century is practically the blink of an eye in Stonehenge’s 5,000-year existence. One of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world, the awe-inspiring stone circle was built in six stages, from around 3000 BC to 1520 BC. It was made from two types of stone: larger sarsen stones and smaller bluestones. Incredibly, the bluestones are thought to have been transported all the way from Wales’ Preseli Hills, around 200 miles (322km) away, despite weighing between two and five tons each. Stonehenge became a popular attraction in Victorian times, but uncontrolled tourism led to vandalism, so an entry fee was introduced in 1901.

Stonehenge itself hasn’t changed much in the last century, but it’s certainly seen some things. In 1985, a convoy of 600 travelers headed to the site for the Stonehenge Free Festival, only to be met by more than 1,000 police officers. The ensuing clash, known as the Battle of Beanfield, lasted several hours and resulted in 537 arrests. Since 2013, Stonehenge has benefitted from a shiny new visitor center which includes a 360-degree interactive virtual experience, as well as prehistoric artifacts found at the site. In recent years, a fence has also been added, so visitors can’t go right up to the ancient stone structure.

Chichén Itzá, Yucatán, Mexico

Mexico’s stunning Yucatán Peninsula is packed full of Mayan archaeological sites and Chichén Itzá is easily the most impressive. Covering a four-square-mile (10sq km) patch of arid land, the city was founded around the sixth century AD and it quickly became an economic and political hub, housing some 35,000 people at its peak. Sometime in the 15th century it was abandoned and left to deteriorate, until excavations began in the 1900s. Pictured here is a tourist at the Casa de las Monjas monastery in 1923.

Duomo, Milan, Italy

The impressive Duomo in Milan took six centuries, countless rulers and thousands of workers to complete. In fact, the process was so long it turned into a popular idiom for a never-ending task: “lungh ‘me la fabrica del Domm”, which means “long as the work on the Duomo” in Milanese. Started in 1386 by Milan’s ruler Giangaleazzo Visconti, the project was abandoned in 1418. In the 16th century, further works were completed under Archbishop Borromeo, while the façade was finished under Napoleon in the 19th century. Pictured here in 1922, it still wasn’t quite done!

The finishing touches, including the fitting of doors and Neo-Gothic ornaments, were added between 1909 and 1965. Today, it’s hard not to be wowed by the imposing building. Typically, some five million visitors each year come to feast their eyes on the Duomo, with its intricate statues, gargoyles and spires brought to life in shimmering pink-hued marble.

These are the world's most beautiful cathedrals

Tower Bridge, London, England, UK

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Meaning “high city” in Greek, this aptly-named settlement sits on a steep hill towering above Athens. The earliest beginnings of the city we see today date back to the 13th century BC, when a fortification wall was built around the home of the Mycenaean ruler of the time. Around Athens' Golden Age in the 5th century BC, its best-known landmarks, including the Propylaea gateway and the Parthenon and Erechtheion temples, were built. The site became popular as a tourist destination in the early 20th century and is pictured here in 1925.

Then and now: amazing images of ancient landmarks

But its long history hasn’t been without controversy. In 1803, a British nobleman, the Earl of Elgin, shipped many of the Acropolis’ ancient sculptures to England and sold them to the British Museum, where they remain today. Although Elgin was given the green light by the occupying Turkish government at the time, successive Greek governments since 1832 have ordered that the artifacts be returned. Yet the British Museum still holds onto them. The Acropolis is one of the most popular attractions in Greece and its museum, which opened in 2009, typically receives more than a million visitors each year.

Statue of Liberty, New York City, New York, USA

Few New York attractions match the Statue of Liberty’s storied appeal today. Some four million visitors typically come to see the statue each year, and a new museum on Liberty Island, opened in 2019, allows tourists to take a deeper dive into the history of the emblematic monument. It’s also usually possible to climb to the top of the statue’s crown.

These are America's most important landmarks

Houses of Parliament, London, England, UK

The Westminster landmark has borne witness to a number of important historical events since then – and survived more than a few scrapes. It was severely damaged by a bomb in 1885, as well as being hit around 14 times during the Second World War and targeted by the IRA in 1974. Today, as well as attracting throngs of tourists, protesters often target the Houses of Parliament, meaning it’s never far from the headlines.

Check out these brilliant British landmarks

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Boy, 15, dies after attack outside school in France

Teenager was assaulted by several people who fled scene in country’s latest incident of school violence

A 15-year-old boy has died after he was badly beaten in a town south of Paris, in the latest incident of school violence in France.

Thursday’s attack comes at a time of heightened tensions in French schools. Earlier this week a teenage girl was temporarily left in a coma after being beaten outside her school in Montpellier, in the south of the country. In that case, three alleged attackers have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a minor, one a girl from the same school.

In the latest incident, which occurred in the town of Viry-Châtillon, about 20km (12 miles) south of Paris, the teenager was attacked by several people as he left school on Thursday afternoon.

The public prosecutor’s office announced the boy’s death on Friday afternoon and said an investigation had been opened into murder and gang assault outside a school.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, who was visiting a primary school in Paris on Friday morning, said: “We have a form of uninhibited violence among our teenagers and sometimes among increasingly younger ones. Schools needs to be shielded from this. School must remain a sanctuary for our children, for their families, for our teachers.”

“We will be intransigent against all forms of violence.”

The schoolboy went into cardiorespiratory arrest, a police source said. He was taken to Necker hospital in Paris.

The prosecutor Grégoire Dulin said in a statement that the attack on the teenage boy happened between 4pm and 4.30pm on Thursday. He said the 15-year-old was “violently attacked by several individuals” and “was discovered by a passerby badly injured in a road near his middle-school”.

The boy was taken to hospital and had emergency surgery on Thursday night, but the prosecutor said he had died on Friday afternoon. An autopsy will be carried out.

The assailants “tried to massacre him”, said Jean-Marie Vilain, the mayor of Viry-Châtillon, calling them “the worst kind of thugs”. “This extreme violence is becoming commonplace,” he added. Psychological help would be provided to pupils and teachers at the school, the mayor added.

According to a police source, the teenager was beaten by several people who then fled.

The school is in a working-class district of Viry-Châtillon, home to about 30,000 people. No arrests had been made by Thursday evening.

Dozens of messages threatening attacks have been sent to schools around France in recent days.

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