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LATEST: All the new flights to and from France this autumn

Despite some travel changes ahead, people in France have plenty of new flight routes that might interest them this autumn whether it's to get home or to get away. Here is The Local's listing.

Published: 6 September 2024 15:06 CEST
Updated: 14 September 2024 08:14 CEST

LATEST: All the new flights to and from France this autumn

An Easyjet Airbus A319-111 flying in July 2022. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP)

This year, there will be some travel changes for passengers – including the introduction of the EES biometric passport checks – but there are also new flight services that might help some people find an easier route home or just to get away.

The Local has created a list of the several new flights from France to international and domestic destinations starting up this autumn 2024.

Here are some that you can take advantage of;

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EasyJet

The budget airline EasyJet has announced several new flights to and from France, according to Air Journal.

Paris-Newcastle – Six flights a week (every day except Saturday), starting October 27th

Paris-Oslo – Three flights a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) starting on October 28th

Paris-Fuerteventura – Starting November 2nd

Paris-Tromsø – Two flights a week (Thursday and Sunday) starting November 28th

Nice-Madrid – Up to 4 flights a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday), starting on October 27th

Nice-Strasbourg – Five flights a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday) starting October 27th

Nice-Lanzarote – Two flights a week (Wednesday and Saturday) starting November 2nd

Lyon-Berlin Brandenburg – Two flights a week (Friday and Sunday) November 8th

Bordeaux-Zurich – Two flights a week (Thursday and Sunday) starting November 7th

Nantes-Prague – Three flights a week (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday) starting October 30th

Strasbourg-Barcelona – Two flights a week (Monday and Friday) starting October 28th

Strasbourg-Nice – Five flights a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday) starting October 28th

Strasbourg-London Gatwick – Three flights a week (Monday, Friday and Sunday) starting November 11th

Transavia

The low-cost subsidiary of Air France, will also open six new international routes for the period of October 27th to March 29th, also reported by Air Journal.

These include Nice-Dakar (one per week, outbound Sunday, return Saturday, starting October 27th), Lille-Dakar (two flights per week, starting on October 30th, with outbound on Wednesday and Saturday, and returns on Tuesdays and Fridays).

There are also flights planned for Strasbourg-Algiers (twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday), and Rennes-Marrakech (two flights a week, mostly Thursday and Sunday).

Air France

Paris-Charles de Gaulle – Zanzibar – Kilimanjaro – Three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday) starting on November 18th. This will replace the current Paris-Zanzibar-Dar Es Salaam route, though Dar Es Salam will remain accessible via Amsterdam, according to the Air France website.

Paris-Charles de Gaulle – Salvador de Bahia – Three times a week (Monday, Thursday and Wednesday) starting on October 28th.

Keep in mind that Air France plans to shift nearly all its domestic and international flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport by 2026. This is a phased process which began in November 2023 and will continue over the next two years with gradually fewer and fewer flights from Orly.

Volotea

As for Spanish low-cost airline, Volotea, will add two new routes from Bordeaux airport after Ryanair departs in November.

Bordeaux-Marrakech – Two flights a week (Tuesday and Saturday) starting November 5th

Bordeaux-Madrid – Three flights a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) starting November 6th

What about the Bordeaux airport?

In May, low-cost airline Irish Ryanair announced it would close its base of operations in the French city of Bordeaux in November following a failure to find an agreement with the airport about fees.

The airline has been operating flights to and from around 40 different destinations around Europe from Bordeaux-Merignac (BOD), which was as of 2023 the eighth busiest French airport with 6.6 million passengers each year.

The head of route development for the airport, Cyrielle Clément, told Actu France “our first priority is to recover a large number of destinations that were only operated by Ryanair. As for the others, we’re working hard to identify the best companies to take over”.

Clément admitted that “in one year, it is impossible to recover all of the passenger volume, but we can meet demand with less frequency.”

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Travel warnings for Americans in France and vice versa

Most countries offer some travel advice for their citizens, and the US and France are no exception – although both countries stress the “friendly relations” between the two nations, they offer advice for Americans travelling to France, or French people travelling to the US.

People with a good knowledge of both countries might think that some of the warnings are rather harsh, and paint an exaggerated picture of the country, but here is the official advice.

Risks in France

The US State Department says that “relations between the United States and France are active and friendly”, but the country was still placed on the second level of out of the four ‘travel advisory levels’, this means that Americans should “exercise increased caution” when visiting.

The state department country page for France – which was last updated in September 2024 – notes that this is “due to terrorism and civil unrest”.

Terrorism

US authorities warn that “terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in France”.

“Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas,” the warn.

This is a fair advisory. In November 2015, France experienced its most deadly coordinated terrorist attack, where 130 people were killed, including 90 at the Bataclan concert hall. ISIS eventually claimed responsibility.

Recent attacks include the stabbing of three people in Paris 15th arrondissement in December 2023 by a man with psychiatric issues, as well as the murder of three Kurdish activists in Paris in October 2023, and notably the stabbing of a teacher in northern France by a man with ties to Islamist extremism.

The US government also warns that: “French police and military routinely patrol public spaces. You should expect security inspections (to include purses, bags, and backpacks) at the entrance to large public venues and businesses.”

Protests and strikes

Strikes and demonstrations in the streets are just a part of daily life in France, but the US government urges its citizens to take them seriously or better yet, avoid them altogether.

This piece of advice might invite some mockery from the French. Strikes and protests are so common in France that they can be pretty tricky to avoid entirely, especially if you live here.

Still, US authorities warn that “demonstrations can be unpredictable”, and that “French authorities may use chemical agents [tear gas] and water cannons to disperse crowds”.

While it’s true that trouble can flare up at protests, this tends to be from a small minority, usually at the end of the demo and not directed at uninvolved passers-by. Marches are often concentrated in the big cities, especially Paris, with routes published in advance so that you can stay away.

Strikes can certainly be disruptive, but it’s worth remembering that they usually delay and disrupt travel, rather than halting it altogether.

The US Embassy in France advises keeping an eye on local media (like The Local France) for updates. We couldn’t agree more – you can find our strike section here.

Crime

US authorities warn that “the majority of crimes directed against foreign visitors, including US citizens, involve pick-pocketing (passports, phones, cash, credit cards), vehicle and residential break-ins, bicycle theft, and other forms of theft.”

Pickpocketing can certainly be a problem, especially in Paris where you will regularly hear announcements on the Metro saying: “Des pickpockets peuvent être présents en station ou à bord des trains” (Pickpockets may be present at the station or on trains).

The advice is common sense – keep an eye on your belongings and lock up valuables.

The US Embassy in France also warns that visitors should be aware of ‘date-rape’ drugs, which are present in France. As such, you should “be cautious in bars and clubs where alcohol is served, and do not leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from strangers, as they may have slipped drugs into the drink.”

Travelling with a disability

Even though Paris hosted the Paralympic Games in 2024, accessibility in the capital – and the country at large – remains poor.

US authorities note that French law does prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities, but travellers with disabilities should “expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation and general infrastructure” adding: “Visitors to France should expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation (subway, specifically), lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure.

“Getting around French cities can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Many sidewalks are narrow and uneven, and cobblestone streets make access difficult, though major tourist sites generally have better facilities.”

While there have been efforts to improve accessibility – and leaders of the Paris region recently signed onto a plan that would make the Paris Metro system fully accessible in the next 20 years, the capital city is still a long way from being easy to get around for those with disabilities.

French drivers and public transport

Aggressive drivers are a common complaint from foreigners in France, especially those in rural areas.

US authorities seem to agree (at least a little bit). They warn that “lane markings and sign placements may not be clear. Drivers should be prepared to make last-minute manoeuvers” and that “right-of-way rules differ from those in the United States.”

While French drivers might be used to the busyness on the roads, especially in cities, with motorcycles and mopeds interweaving in traffic, Americans should be cautious.

“Bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, and electric skateboards are prevalent on streets, crosswalks and sometimes sidewalks. They have legal priority and often do not respect traffic signals,” the Embassy warns.

They also extend their road-related recommendations for pedestrians, saying they “should be cautious and aware of traffic even when they have a green walking signal since this is no guarantee against aggressive drivers.”

“Do not assume cars will stop for pedestrians on a crosswalk.”

Flying a drone

During the Olympic Games, the former French PM, Gabriel Attal, said that six drones were intercepted a day, but most of these were simply from “tourists wanting to take pictures”.

Those unlucky tourists found themselves under arrest, because the use of drones and drone footage is highly regulated in France.

The US Embassy warns visitors that “it is against the law in France to operate drones over public spaces (including museums, parks, streets) in urban areas and near airports, military bases, prisons, nuclear plants, and large gatherings such as outdoor concerts and parades.”

Failing to follow these rules can lead to hefty fines and even imprisonment. Thankfully, The Local has a helpful guide on what you need to know about flying a drone in France.

Risks in the United States

But travel warnings go both ways, and France has its own tips for US-bound French citizens.

Weather warnings

Americans can probably agree with the first piece of advice on France’s France’s recommendations page for travellers headed to the US.

It starts off with detailed advice about natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, forest fires and flooding. They list the radio channels that give weather updates for states on the Gulf of Mexico, where hurricanes are common.

Dangerous US cities

French authorities start off by saying “the United States is one of the safest countries in the world” – but then include a section on the cities and areas where tourists should exercise heightened caution.

The cities listed include nearly all large American metropolitan areas, from Los Angeles and San Francisco, to Chicago and Detroit, and east-coast cities like Boston, New York City, Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

To be fair to the French, the warning is not a blanket advisory to avoid these places. Instead, French authorities dive into the specific neighbourhoods that ought to be avoided at nighttime, as well as the types of crime that are common.

For example, they warn that in San Francisco, families should avoid certain streets in the centre of the city, notably the Tenderloin district known for open-air drug use.

They also note an “increase in car-jackings in most large American cities, involving violence and threats, sometimes with weapons.” US news outlets have also reported on this.

Interacting with police

The French advice for dealing with police is to “not to make false statements, not to raise your voice, and to avoid brusque or aggressive gestures.”

This advice is likely related to the issue of police brutality and officer-involved shootings in the United States (although of course police violence is also present in France).

Avoid opioids

The opioid crisis has been an ongoing issue in the United States, and French authorities are aware of it. Overdose rates have tripled in the past decade in the United States, and the presence of fentanyl has played a large role in that.

French authorities warn that ‘classic drugs’ (ie cocaine and heroin) are increasingly cut with synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, and that fentanyl “can be present in counterfeit medications, such as Xanax or oxycodone.”

They warn that “if you need pain medication, you should go to your local pharmacy and purchase an FDA-approved medication. Under no circumstances should you accept any pills that you do not buy from a pharmacy.”

No tolerance for jokes

When travelling by airplane, French authorities advise that people “answer the questions asked by employees seriously and precisely and to avoid making jokes about the contents of your baggage, as any ambiguous attitude could result in very serious problems with the security services (which could lead to incarceration).”

They also warn that “security measures taken by airlines, at the request of the American authorities, are likely to extend the time required for checks. It is recommended to make the necessary arrangements to get to the airport well in advance”.

On the topic of humour, French authorities recommend “[adopting] reserved attitude towards people of the opposite sex. Complaints of sexual harassment can also be made against minors.”

Better to leave your pick-up lines at home, Frenchies.

Prudish dress

In previous versions of the French advice page, visitors were warned that topless bathing is strictly forbidden in the US, even for little girls.

They seem to have dropped this line in the 2024 version, they did warn that “children, including babies, must wear a swimming costume (changing an infant or breast-feeding in public can be shocking in some places).”

Still, they did say Americans are “very tolerant” when it comes to dress. A backhanded compliment? Who can say . . .

Don’t freak out about guns

In their general advice, French authorities say: “In many states, the possession of firearms is authorised and commonplace. Visitors should therefore remain calm and composed in all circumstances.”

Expensive healthcare

Under the health section, French authorities gave a warning that Americans know all-too-well: “Medical infrastructure in the United States is excellent, but very expensive.”

As such, they recommend French visitors take out a travel health insurance plan to cover all medical expenses, warning that “under no circumstances will these costs be covered by the local French embassy or consulate general.”

What do you think of these warnings? Do you agree or disagree? Let us know in the comments below.

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