How to travel to France....now

[Casper46]

A good friend who lives in France came to UK 5 weeks ago as her sister was dying with cancer. Her husband took her to the airport and stayed in France. They have lived in France for a few years.
She now cannot get back home. She booked and paid Brittany Ferries for a journey as a foot passenger, but once she had paid they notified her that she couldn’t travel and they offered a voucher instead of a refund.
If she can get across the channel she could get a train south and her husband could pick her up.
Her husband is not very internet savvy so is having problems working out what and when the French government is going to allow when lockdown is eased. Does anyone who lives in France have any knowledge of how and when she can get home.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Eurostar still running a service albeit about 1 a day.
Someone else may be able to help with the requirements for onward travel.

 

[nicholsong]

A good friend who lives in France came to UK 5 weeks ago as her sister was dying with cancer. Her husband took her to the airport and stayed in France. They have lived in France for a few years.
She now cannot get back home. She booked and paid Brittany Ferries for a journey as a foot passenger, but once she had paid they notified her that she couldn’t travel and they offered a voucher instead of a refund.
If she can get across the channel she could get a train south and her husband could pick her up.
Her husband is not very internet savvy so is having problems working out what and when the French government is going to allow when lockdown is eased. Does anyone who lives in France have any knowledge of how and when she can get home.

Did they say she could not travel because the crossing she was booked on is cancelled, or are they saying she cannot legally travel because of French entry restrictions? If the latter they are wrong because she is a French Resident returning to France. If that is the case she should call Brittany Ferries and quote her Residency Permit number.

Geoff

 

[Minxy]

Once she's managed to get back home I'd put in an official complaint to the ferry company for taking her money for something that they knowingly could not provide for the time she booked it for.

 

[Charente16]

A Lot of UK Nationals resident in France have never applied for permenant resident status ie a Carte d'Sejour, and that is still the case today with the date for applications closing in 2021.

Regardless, of the above I don't think 'Brittany Ferries' are taking 'Foot Passengers' regardless of their Resident Status in France. Euro - Star being the only option.

Robert

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[ctc]

Once she's managed to get back home I'd put in an official complaint to the ferry company for taking her money for something that they knowingly could not provide for the time she booked it for.

Plus a demand for compensation.

 

[Pete5996]

If she is and can prove documentary evidence of residence in France, ie CdS, driving licence, utility bill or anything with the French address, she should be able to enter the country with the necessary travel attestation. Perhaps her husband can send over some sort of proof?

Details on the Gov.uk website and a link to the French Govt site where she will find a PDF to download (in French or English), some way down the page. Look for:
Voyage international depuis l’étranger vers la France métropolitaine / International travel to metropolitan France

 

[bobandjanie]

If she is resident in France it's no problem, if she is a resident in the UK probably in the same situation as all the other non resident trying to get into Spain, a couple got a flight into Barcelona yesterday, got as far as passport control and sent back. ?
Best thing is to get something from the French embassy in writing. ? Bob.

 

[Augusta08]

I'm in a not dissimilar position, came to the UK first week of March, now can't get back home to Morbihan. Gawd knows what the lawn will be like when we do!! I'll need a machete to find the front door.

 

[Pete5996]

I've read of a case in the past couple of days of someone who was able to cross on a freight ferry as a foot passenger - there are distancing rules on-board to be followed, of course. Can't find it now, though...

However, DFDS mention the following on their website: Our routes between Dover and France are sailing to normal schedules only for freight and essential travel.

Perhaps a phone call to them, explaining the situation, might be worthwhile? I'd have thought returning to your home is essential travel, tbh.

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[Casper46]

I'm in a not dissimilar position, came to the UK first week of March, now can't get back home to Morbihan. Gawd knows what the lawn will be like when we do!! I'll need a machete to find the front door.

We are the same as yourself, but we have a property in UK as well. We came back for a month but it could stretch for a long time . The lady in question does not have a house in UK so is staying with relatives. Her husband is looking after himself in France.
They are very grateful for all the suggestions and are going to start ringing around in the morning.

 

[Bobandfay]

Brittany Ferry’s are only taking freight on the ferry’s that are still running,They should not have taken her booking.

 

[veevee]

Casper46

We are the same as yourself, but we have a property in UK as well. We came back for a month but it could stretch for a long time . The lady in question does not have a house in UK so is staying with relatives. Her husband is looking after himself in France.
They are very grateful for all the suggestions and are going to start ringing around in the morning.

I too would think having proof of property ownership and an attestation could easily see her being allowed back into France. Also think Eurostar is her best bet for all sorts of reasons including keeping social distance is easier than when flying.

I would phone Eurostar and explain the situation, it won't be the first time they have been asked this question. If your friend needs help booking trains I can give advice, we have used rail within Europe a lot in recent years.

pm me if you think I can help, be happy to do so and hope it's a good outcome.

 

[Casper46]

Thanks for all your ideas.
Eileen made it back to France on Sunday.
Eurostar to Paris, sandwich overlooking the Seine as she changed stations, then train to Tours. It should have been to Poitiers but that was cancelled, so Tom drove to Tours to collect her.
She had three forms to fill in which are downloadable or they had them at check in at St Pancras. She also needed proof of residency in France . Utility bill, taxe D’habitation, or driving licence, she said that they hardly looked at them.
It gives us a bit of hope that at some point we may see our house again once again many thanks.