France will lift its ban on UK holidaymakers from Friday morning, the country’s tourism minister, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, has announced.
The requirement to isolate on arrival will also be scrapped, though travellers will need evidence of a negative Covid test taken within 24 hours of entering the country.
The minister tweeted: “We are relaxing the entry conditions in France from the UK for vaccinated travellers.
“End of compelling reasons and isolation on arrival.”
Paris announced last month that restrictions would come into effect on British travellers to curb the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of Covid.
Travellers were told they would need a “compelling reason” to enter the country.
The move threw Christmas plans into disarray for thousands of people, while British tourists were forced to cancel skiing holidays.
However, the variant has now driven a significant wave of infections in France. On Wednesday, a further 368,149 cases were recorded - the highest tally so far during the pandemic.
Several travel firms had already emailed British tourists urging them to book a trip in anticipation of the lifting of the ban.
London firm Skiline.co.uk told customers: “French holidays could be back on this weekend.
“We are expecting the French government to make an announcement this Wednesday to confirm that British vaccinated skiers can enter France from this Saturday 15 January.”
It told potential customers they could be “one of the few lucky skiers in France this weekend”, adding that they will get a full refund before Friday if no announcement on the travel ban being lifted is made.
By mid-January, the French government aims to introduce a vaccine pass that will make inoculation mandatory for anyone wanting to go to restaurants or attend indoor events.
The UK eased its own travel restrictions last week, with fully vaccinated people no longer required to take a test before arriving in the country.
Anyone entering the UK can also take a cheaper and quicker lateral flow test rather than a PCR after they arrive. The changes save a family of four around £300.
