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What are the rules on wearing a mask in France?

Different areas in France are reporting wide variations in mask wearing, making it difficult to work out exactly when you are supposed to be wearing one. Not everyone follows the rules, but here is a look at what they say.

Published: 24 June 2020 15:38 CEST

What are the rules on wearing a mask in France?

Photo: AFP

This article is out of date after new laws were passed in France – for the latest mask rules, click HERE.

Mask-wearing rules in France have undergone quite a few changes and only a few weeks ago they were virtually impossible to find.

That problem has now been solved, but go to different locations and you will notice quite a variation in use levels.

Obviously some people will always ignore the rules, but here's what the current regulations say.

Public transport – wearing a mask is compulsory on all forms of public transport in France – including taxis and VTC vehicles – and you risk a €135 fine if you are caught without one. How well this is enforced varies, but in Paris inspectors are frequently seen on the Metro and on trains too conductors will check that you are wearing your mask correctly. You need to wear the mask in the station or airport as well as on the train/tram/Metro/bus/plane.

This restaurant sign reads Wearing a mask is compulsory – except during your meal. Photo: AFP

Shops – here the decision is down to individual businesses. The government has given shop owners the power to require their customers to wear a mask, so if you are asked to wear one it's not an option to just say no – the business owner is perfectly within their rights to forbid you entry if you are not wearing a mask.

Most shops have signs up informing customers of their mask policy – some says port du masque obligatoire – wearing a mask is compulsory – and others say masks are souhaité, recommendé or conseillé – requested or recommended. Either way, if a staff member asks you to wear a mask you should comply.

Offices – Private companies can decide on their own policies but in government offices such as the tax office or the préfecture you are likely to be asked to wear a mask in public areas.

Bars/restaurants/cafés – there is quite a wide variation in how strictly businesses enforce these rules, but the general line is that you should wear a mask when you enter and only remove it once you are seated. Any trips away from your table – for example to the toilet – and you should put the mask on again. Service while seated at the bar is banned and in most places counter service is not allowed, in places where it is you will generally be asked to wear a mask.

In reality, you will see quite a few place that seem to be ignoring some or all of these rules, but other places do enforce them so it's worth knowing what the regulations are.

Cinemas and theatres – these are also slowly reopening with lots of health rules in place – one of which is that you should wear a mask in communal areas like the foyer and ticket hall, but can remove it once you are seated.

Gyms – gyms and sports centres have reopened and masks are not compulsory, although most places require booking in advance.

Tourist sites – Tourist attractions are gradually reopening and most of them require masks – even outdoor ones like Monet's gardens at Giverny. A lot of tourist sites have extra restrictions on numbers and many insist on tickets booked in advance so if you are planning a trip make sure you check the site's website in advance.

Most museums, galleries and other tourist sites will ask you to wear a mark. Photo: AFP

Parks and gardens – this is a decision for local authorities so it varies from place to place. Publicly-owned parks, gardens and beaches will all have signs up at the entrance outlining the rules.

Streets – wearing a mask on the street is not compulsory, but the government advises it in situations were physical distancing is impossible – for example if you are joining a protest. This is obviously quite difficult to police, but it's good general advice to wear a mask if you are likely to be in a crowded space.

Events – events of more than 5,000 people are still banned but at any event where physical distancing will be difficult a mask is advised. Again this is down to individual event organisers but it's likely you will be asked to wear one.

If you're planning on joining a protest or other large gathering masks are recommended. Photo: AFP

Home visits – there's no rules on what you must do in private homes, but masks are recommended if you are visiting someone in a high risk group. Obviously if your host/hostess asks you to wear a mask then it's only polite to comply.

So in short, it's a good idea to be either wearing a mask or have one in your pocket or your handbag whenever you leave home at present, as it's quite likely that someone will ask you to wear one.

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Explained: How dangerous are French heatwaves?

A recent report highlighted the potential risks to athletes’ health if this summer’s Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games take place during a heatwave. The report, backed by climate scientists and athletes, warned of the potentially fatal risks of high temperatures at this year’s Games.

While most people are unlikely to be trying to break a 100m record during a heatwave – or any other time in fact – high temperatures bring with them serious risks to health.

Mercury rising

Any temperatures in France are getting higher, the country has endured a series of record heatwaves in recent years.

The all-time temperature record for Paris is 42.6C, set during a heatwave in 2019. It’s entirely possible this record won’t last long – 2022 was the hottest year on record in France, with a record 33 days meeting officially defined heatwave conditions: five in June and 14 in both July and August.

Vérargues, in the southern Hérault département, holds the highest recorded temperature in France – 46C set on June 28th, 2019.

The highest national average temperatures in France were recorded later in the year: August 5th, 2003, saw an average national temperature of 29.47C, followed by July 25th, 2019, when the average daily temperature was 29.4C.

And remember – air conditioning is not standard in French homes.

Health risks

There is no question that heatwaves can be fatal – some 400 people died in France in a two-week heatwave in August 2023 when new local temperature records were set around the country, according to public health data.

Over the whole of last summer, some 5,000 excess deaths were recorded between June 1st and September 15th, 2023, of which 1,500 were attributed to the heat.

Over the same period, nearly 20,000 heat-related emergency calls were recorded, according to a report by Santé Publique France published in February this year, and 10,600 additional hospitalisations followed a visit to the emergency department during periods of high temperature.

The risk is highest among the elderly or people with chronic health conditions, but also at risk are outdoor workers and people exercising – including hiking – during the hottest part of the day.

The government issues weather warnings – ranging from yellow (be aware) to red (potential risk to life) during heatwaves and we would strongly advise people to take notice and follow the advice, even if you come from a hot country.

Climate trends

And it seems that the situation is not going to get better soon, even if the response has improved.

“By the end of the century, heatwaves will be more frequent, more intense, and spread over a period from May to October,” warned France’s Haut Conseil pour le climat (High Council for the Climate) in a report in 2021.

Around 80 percent of the French population will experience 16 to 29 abnormally hot days each year over the three decades to come, as climate change takes hold according to a 2022 study by national statistics institute Insee – with Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Occitanie the most affected regions.

It estimates that more than 9 million people will have to endure more than 20 extremely hot days each year in the years to come. Nighttime temperatures will also rise, with some areas seeing up to 19 abnormally hot nights each year, compared to seven between 1976 and 2005.

The phenomenon of ‘tropical nights’ – where the temperature does not drop below 23C even at night – is linked to sleepless nights and heat stress, as the body does not get the chance to cool itself.

Meanwhile, Santé Publique France’s figures underline the impact of high temperatures during heatwaves, it said, and confirmed the need for measures throughout the country, and for a reinforced strategy of adaptation to climate change, to reduce the impact of heat on health.

The unusual Pentecôte public holiday in France, when many people work ‘for free’ by donating that day’s salary a government ‘solidarity fund’ for the elderly, was introduced in 2005 following the disastrous 2003 heatwave, when more than 15,000 French people, most of them elderly, died in the sweltering temperatures.

Heat islands

The particular problem with Paris – and other major conurbations – is that it is a noted ‘urban heat island’, where temperatures can be up to 10C warmer than in the surrounding countryside, due to a combination of human activities, concrete surfaces that reflect heat, and heat pollution such as air conditioning units and cars.

The phenomenon also leads to significantly warmer nighttime temperatures, as heat accumulates during the day but cannot escape in the same way it might in a less dense environment – making for sticky nights that make it hard to sleep and increase the effects of heat stress, especially among the elderly or ill.

Emergency plans

One thing that has improved in recent years is how France deals with its heatwaves.

After 2003’s fatal summer, the French government introduced new protocols to protect the public whenever the temperature rises above a certain threshold.

Today, when the temperature soars, the government issues health advice on staying safe, which includes: drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, staying indoors during the hottest part of the day (afternoon and early evening), keeping in the shade, exercising only during the coolest parts of the day (early morning and late nights) and eating regular meals.

Most cities now have heatwave plans. Parks stay open at night and ‘cool rooms’ open up to give those in at-risk groups a chance to be taken somewhere they can cool down.

Fire risk

Extreme temperatures and long periods without rain also increase the risk of wildfires.

The year 2022 was the worst on record for wildfires in France. In total 72,000 hectares, or an area seven times the size of Paris, burned over the summer.

Overall, 90 percent of fires are caused by humans – either deliberately or accidentally. But while casually throwing away a cigarette is objectively dumb, heatwaves can – and do – increase the risk of fires.

Where weather conditions do have a major effect is in turning what would perhaps have been a containable fire into a wildfire that devours thousands of hectares of ground and prompt evacuations.

High temperatures make it more likely that fires will start, but drought conditions cause these fires to spread – parched vegetation with no moisture catches extremely easily. In the height of summer, large parts of the south of France are particularly at risk of wildfires.

This is far from a new phenomenon. It’s why there has always been a wildfire ‘season’ in the hottest months of the year and why wildfires are much less common – though not unheard of – in winter.

In October 1970, 11 people died in a wildfire near France’s far southeastern border with Italy and in 1985 an inferno in the same area killed five volunteer firefighters.

Deaths are more unusual today, thanks to improved techniques and technology, but the fires themselves are getting more common, bigger and occur over a wider geographical area.

Poor air quality resulting from wildfire smoke can be a serious health risk to those with respiratory conditions.

If you live in an area where wildfires are common, make sure you sign up to the government emergency text alert system so you get the latest advice on whether you need to evacuate. You can also keep track of the risk of wildfire in your area by checking the government’s forest fire map, which is updated daily.

And you have legal obligations, too, relating to keeping your property as clear as possible of fire hazards during key wildfire periods.

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