Tag Archives: covid-19

How to Get Vaccinated in France as a Foreign Student

**Please note that this post is designed for students beginning their studies with us in September 2021**

As an incoming students to our Paris School, you have a lot to do to prepare for your move to Paris. Vaccination procedures have been rolled out differently around the world and you may not have been able to be fully vaccinated before your departure. There is even talk in some countries, including France, of administering third doses of certain vaccines. As of this week, the French Haute Autorité de la Santé now recommends a third dose of the EU-approved vaccines for individuals over 65 years of age and those with underlying health conditions (see the official texts here). The good news for all of our incoming students is that you do not have to be registered within the French national health system/insurance scheme (Assurance maladie) to get a vaccine in France. You do, however, have to be resident and demonstrate proof of residency.

A French social security number is not required to get vaccinated and for free. Foreign students can be vaccinated in France, but will need to prove your residency, in the form of a rental contract, signed letter of being hosted by an individual (attestation d’hébergement) or accommodation booking of three months or more.

Getting vaccinated in France

Here are the steps to follow to sign up for a vaccination appointment:

  • Make an appointment on this designated Vaccination website or Doctolib (In French)
    • On Doctolib a pop-up window will ask you which situation you are in:
      • Vous souhaitez réserver une deuxième injection (second dose)
      • personnes de plus de 18 ans (persons over 18 years old, for ARNm type vaccines)
      • personnes de plus de 18 ans déjà eu la Covid-19 (persons over 18 years old having had Covid-19, for ARNm type vaccines)
  • Clink the appropriate category and proceed with making an appointment at a vaccination centre, doctor’s office or pharmacy
  • You can also try asking directly at a pharmacy to see if they have vaccines available
  • Bring your ID and proof of residency with you to the appointment.

If you encounter difficulties at your vaccination venue and the health professional insists you need to have a carte vitale, it is possible that they are not aware of the rules. You can remind them politely that a carte vitale/social security number is not required. If you have internet on your phone, you can also show them this page on the French government website which clearly states that “un étranger ou un sans-abri peut se faire vacciner en centre de vaccination même s’il ne dispose pas d’une carte vitale.” (A foreigner or homeless person can be vaccinated in a vaccination centre even if he or she does not possess a carte vitale). You can also print out this text before heading to your appointment.

The University of Kent Paris School staff will continue to update you on the accessibility of vaccinations and important health recommendations. Staff cannot, however, advise on individual situations. Information on how to see a doctor in France will be provided as part of our Welcome Week programme.

France Reopens Borders and Eases Other Covid-19 Restrictions

From 9 June, 2021 France will enter Phase 3 of its easing of Covid-19 restrictions. This also includes the opening of its borders with certain conditions. Discover the new protocols and how it relates to those currently in Paris and those planning on traveling to France.

Le-Vrai-Paris-cafe-Montmartre

Le Vrai Paris café in Montmartre

European and International Borders Reopening

As announced in late April, France will be open to EU and other nationalities as of 9 June. This is based a colour system in which requirements for entry vary on your country of departure. This system includes three colour groups: Red, Orange, and Green. The Green group includes EU residents, who will no longer need a “compelling reason” to enter France, and only non-vaccinated visitors will have to provide a recent negative antigen or PCR test. The other countries in the Green category include Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand and Singapore.

The Orange group includes North Americans who can enter with proof of being fully vaccinated (with proof of your vaccination). Those who are not, must have a compelling reason to enter, plus undergo an obligatory quarantine of 7 days and a PCR test after arrival.

For UK nationals, those who are fully vaccinated will need to have proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure, or an antigen test within 48 hours of departure. However, you will not need to justify an essential reason for travel or to self-isolate on arrival. Those who are not fully vaccinated will only be able to enter France for compelling reasons. However, testing requirements have changed. Travelers in this category will be able to take a PCR test within 72 hours of departure, or an antigen test within 48 hours of departure. More information on current travel requirements is available on the UK government website here.

European countries are aiming to coordinate on a EU “health pass” which will hopefully be announced by 1 July.

Hotel de la Marine

Photo: Hotel de la Marine, opening on 12 June

Déconfinement Phase 3: 9 June Further Reopening Conditions

As of 9 June the curfew in France goes up to 11 pm. Restaurants will also be allowed to have diners indoors (with certain capacity limits and other restrictions). Museums can also accept up to 65% capacity, although advance booking is now required at many venues, like the beautiful Hotel de la Marine which will be opening to the public on 12 June.

Visitors under 26 and holders of a student card can obtain free entrance to most museums in Paris. For smaller museums you merely need to present your ID (student and national ID) upon entering or but for larger museums, like the Louvre, you need to book in advance a free student ticket in advance.

students- Musée-dOrsay

PSAC students returning to the Musée d’Orsay

Our Top Suggestions for your Cultural Outings

Gain some inspiration for your cultural outings via these articles from our blog:

You can peruse other recent articles here.

France to Reopen Museums, Cinemas and Theatres on 19 May 2021

After a six month closure, we are extremely pleased that cultural venues will be reopening in France as of 19 May 2021.  All museums, art galleries, theatres and cinemas may reopen, under certain conditions. Here is a summary of the new protocols and how it relates to visitors.

Déconfinement Phase 2: 19 May Reopening Conditions

As of 19 May the nation-wide curfew in France will be pushed back to 9pm. Therefore, you will have more time to be able to visit cultural sites and take in movie screenings in person.

All sites can only reopen with a reinforced sanitary protocol. As a general rule, the reopening of sites does not depend on the size of the facility, however, it is capped at 800 people at one time inside and a 1,000 outside (for example, the interior of  the Chateau de Versailles and the gardens). However, it also stipulates that there should 8 m2 per visitor until 9 June when the curfew goes up to 11 pm and the space will be 4 m2. Therefore, sites must factor this in when calculating the exact number of people inside the site at one time.

Other conditions include a one one circulation system (similar to what was enforced after last year’s lockdown), hand sanitiser available at the entrance and a preference to booking e-tickets in advance (as is already the case at the Louvre).

Bourse de Commerce - Pinault Collection

Gradual Reopening of Museums & Cultural Sites

Just because sites are allowed to reopen on 19 May, it doesn’t mean that all museums and monuments will be reopening on that exact date. For example, the doors of the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay the Centre Pompidou, the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Chateau de Versailles will be reopening on the 19th, but some sites are waiting until the weekend.

The Palais de Tokyo, Europe’s largest contemporary art centre, will be reopening on Saturday 22 May with an exhibit by performance artist Anne Imhof entitled Natures Mortes (Still Lives). Since the building is quite large, they will be respecting the maximum of 800 visitors at a time.

The highly anticipated opening of the Pinault Collection at the Bourse to Commerce will also take place on 22 May. After several years of extensive renovations, the former grain hall of the Paris central food market has been converted into a new venue of collection of contemporary art. For other venues, it’s advised to check their websites beforehand so you do not arrive to find the site closed.

Free Access for Students

Holders of a student card can obtain free entrance to most museums in Paris. For smaller museums you merely need to present your ID (student and national ID) upon entering or but for larger museums, like the Louvre, you need to book in advance a free student ticket in advance.

At time of publication, the Louvre ticket booking system was not yet activated, however, this is the link (select your date, then the ticket options will come up, you will need to proceed to the check out, but will not be charged for your ticket). The Orsay reservation system is working via this link. Select free of charge reservation, then select “add to cart”, then “I book”, skip the audioguide page by clicking then “I book”, then you’ll have the date and time option. For the Centre Pompidou, follow this link and select a free ticket for a youth or an art/conservatoire student.

Reflet-Médicis

Reflet Médicis / Facebook

Movie Theatres

The date of this new déconfinement stage falls on a Wednesday, the traditional day of the week when new films are released. As there has been a backlog of films to be released, there have have been some issues over which ones will come out first. However, film fans should have an exciting few weeks of releases. To help you decide which cinemas to go to in the city, check out our article on the Best Historic Art House Cinemas in Paris.

Enjoy this return to culture and stay safe!