Well, it’s looking like things are finally getting back to some sense of normalcy, almost.
As of May 19, 2021, the curfew in France was moved from 6 pm to 9 pm with restaurants and cafes being allowed to open their terraces at 50% capacity.
As of this evening, June 8, 2021, the curfew gets moved from 9 pm to 11 pm, although those out between 11 pm and 6 am will still need an attestation filled out citing an essential reason for being outside.
More welcoming changes include the reopening of indoor seating in restaurants and cafés. Customers will now be welcomed back inside, albeit with a 50% percent limit on capacity and a six-person maximum per table. Customers must, however, provide contact details in order to take advantage of indoor seating, with many cafés offering a scannable QR option to make the process simple.
Rules on terraces will also change, allowing establishments with outdoor space to operate at full capacity, though the six-person per table restriction will still be in effect.
There will also be the introduction of the travel ‘traffic light’ system that also goes into effect on June 9th. This program entails a green, orange and red list of countries who are allowed into France under differing criteria based on the current health situations in their nations.
Also, to begin with, are the health passports. Already operational via the TousAntiCovid app, users can scan vaccination certificates or recent negative Covid tests from the My Wallet section. From June 9th, this will be an entry requirement for certain large events, such as concerts and sports matches.
With the advent of the health passport, events of up to 5,000 will also be allowed once more, subject to rules regarding social distancing and the usual protections.
Tourist sites, cinemas, shops, and museums will also be able to welcome the public back with an increased capacity. Theatres and cinemas can have up to 65% normal capacity, with a maximum of 1,000 patrons, or 5,000 with a health passport.
Guests at weddings and civil ceremonies are limited to 50% venue capacity and funerals can have up to 75 attendees.
Currently, nightclubs will remain closed but there is talk of them opening possibly around July 1st.
Gatherings of more than 10 people in public spaces are still discouraged, and masks are still mandatory in public indoor spaces, with a risk of a €135 fine for non-compliance. Check your local listings on rules as most cities are also still requiring masks in outdoor public spaces as well.
Holiday Villa Rental Advice
Since around May 20th, we have seen a dramatic increase in those seeking a holiday villa rental not only in the Cote d’Azur but throughout France during the summer.
There are a substantial number of villa owners who allowed clients from last summer to transfer their stay meaning, already there is less stock available.
As of Friday, June 4th when confirmations were made by the government that those from the US and other key destinations can now come to France as of this week, our phones, emails, and messages have been non-stop at all hours of the day and night. We were expecting this and although crazy busy we are very happy for the positive outlook.
The current rundown so far by clients has been, most are looking to book a villa for two weeks minimum, up to 2 months. In speaking with our partners, they are experiencing the same types of requests which unlike before Covid19 came about, where people might book for a week-long stay, people are now wanting to get here and settle in nicely somewhere for their vacation.
The increased demand means as slowly summer rolls in, rentals will become harder to find and there may even be possible bidding wars for a substantial property rental.
Here is our advice, we are so happy you are choosing to head back this way, we can help you with any logistics and questions you’d like, just have some conversations with those you are traveling with about where you want to be and most of all what budget range you all feel comfortable to stay within.
The more realistic you are about how you would like your holidays to be, the less disappointment you will encounter.
The area is red hot again in terms of a travel destination so most everything on the lower-priced scale has been snapping up quickly.
The things that are helpful for everyone involved in obtaining your villa rental will be precise dates, the number of guests, the number of bedrooms required, choice of locations, and especially budget range as it helps narrow down the search.
We certainly don’t mind seeking out the ideal property through our owners and partners, just keep in mind, what you might be presented one day could be booked within hours, as that is how it has already been happening. So decision-making will be the key to getting what you want.
We don’t want anyone to be disappointed and because of the Covid19 restrictions getting lifted at this point in the high season, it’s put people in a bit of a panic and we want this to be an enjoyable part of planning your trip.
Real Estate Update
We haven’t seen the real estate market so heated up in France like this for years.
With many deciding to leave the big cities and find a primary or secondary home that offers more space either as an individual or family, properties in the countryside have been moving quickly and have been since about April 2020, many selling sight unseen.
Given the time we have all had during the pandemic, people have been reconsidering how they have been living their lives and deciding to make some new lifestyle changes.
For those with families, that also means being close enough to all local amenities and obtaining a home with a decent-sized yard, pool, and garden with schools being also a big part of the decision-making process.
Key areas like Provence and the Dordogne have been highly sought-after locations with here in the Cote d’Azur, homes in the Mougins area have been selling seemingly the fastest. Other areas include Antibes and Cannes, just close enough to the beaches. For those seeking secondary homes, most are looking for a villa with a sea view or within walking distance to a beach with Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat being highly considered and for those working within Monaco, Eze and Roquebrune Cap Martin are the areas people are opting for given the proximity to the principality. As always, we are obsessed with properties either for sale or rent, with many off-market options available. Now that restrictions continue to be lifted, this is a great time to personally seek out and view your next possible home and it would be our pleasure to help.