“I decided that it was necessary to find from Friday, the confinement which stopped the virus”, declared the French President Emmanuel Macron during a televised address this Wednesday, October 28. This re-containment is already planned at least until 1er December.
It provides for the closure of catering and non-essential shops. Only essential travel will be allowed and these should be justified by a written certificate.
The French president also clarified that travel between regions will be prohibited. A derogation is nevertheless provided for the French returning from their Toussaint holidays. Note that these took place in France on October 17th and will end on Monday November 2nd.
Cancellation
In other words, if you had planned to take a vacation in France during the “Belgian” holidays of All Saints’ Day, there is a good chance that your project will fall apart. Therefore, will you recover the sums committed to book a hotel or a bed and breakfast?
Firstly, check immediately from the booking platform whether your stay is still cancellable. This is sometimes the case up to 24 or 48 hours before your arrival.
Check immediately from the booking platform whether your stay is still cancellable.
What if your reservation cannot be canceled? Unfortunately, this scenario has not been the subject of any European regulation. “Everything will therefore depend on the law in force in France and the general conditions of your reservation”, according to the European Consumer Center (CEC). It is therefore best to contact the hotel or your host and make an arrangement with them.
There is nevertheless a solution to try to be reimbursed. Fact, if your reservation includes services and that it is impossible for the owner of the hotel (or lodge) to fulfill his contractual obligations – for example because common areas such as the swimming pool, the restaurant or the spa are inaccessible – then you will have the law to claim at least one credit and at best the reimbursement of your entire reservation.
If you are offered a voucher, it is not protected in the event of bankruptcy.
What if it is the hotel or the host who cancels the reservation? Generally, if a contract cannot be executed, you are entitled to demand reimbursement even if a credit note is offered to you. However, it is not impossible that France will take new measures specific to hotel cancellations linked to the pandemic crisis. Last spring, French hoteliers were able to offer an 18-month credit. To be continued…
Tour operator
Finally, if you had made a reservation through a tour operator or travel agency and they cancel your trip, then they will have to give you the choice between reimbursement and another trip of equivalent quality and free of charge.
“Warning, if a voucher is offered to you following a cancellation, be aware that it is not protected in the event of bankruptcy from the travel agency or tour operator, “CEC warns.” In this case, you will lose all of your money. “
Second home
Finally, if you were going to go to your second home, it’s all shabby. Prime Minister Jean Castex said Thursday evening thatit will not be possible “to travel within the national territory, including from a main residence to a secondary residence”.