The February holidays are approaching but will the French be able to move around?

The government could institute a new period of confinement, due to a deteriorated epidemic situation.

Tourism professionals, like the mountain sector deprived of ski lifts, are preparing to put an end to this holiday period. 

DECRYPTION

While the shadow of a third confinement hangs over France and the epidemic situation worsens, the February holidays are approaching.

They will run from February 6 to March 8, depending on the different zones.

But will the French be able to take advantage of it?

Guest from Europe 1 this Friday, Clément Beaune, Secretary of State for European Affairs, clearly advised against tourist travel.

As for travel within the territory, vacationers are invited to "be careful" in the words of the Secretary of State for Tourism, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne. 

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Cancellations in the mountains 

A change of tone for Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, who still recently encouraged reservations for this holiday period.

But the circulation of new variants of the more contagious virus, in particular the British variant, could worsen the epidemic situation and lead to new confinement.

The government could also make an announcement to this effect as early as next week.

Cancellations have already been observed, especially in the mountains.

Confinement or not, the ski lifts will not reopen in early February, and probably not for the school holiday period either.

The winter sports resorts are moving towards a white season with heavy economic and social consequences for the sector. 

In Toulouse, a few kilometers from the Pyrenees, residents could break with their habits of enjoying the slopes for at least one weekend during the winter season.

"We like to go skiing, but obviously it's complicated, we will stay at home quiet", confides Pierre-Louis, who has shaken up his plans.

"If the stations reopen I would go, but I don't believe it."

SNCF allows reimbursement of trains

Some, more daring, nevertheless try to plan vacations, and can benefit from very advantageous prices, whether for rentals or train tickets.

Juliette has booked, even if it means canceling everything at the last moment.

"I have my sister who is in Paris, I will try to go see her on weekends from time to time. We will try to live as long as we can" she confides.

"I have already taken my trip, we will see for returns, on a case by case basis". 

SNCF allows tickets to be exchanged or reimbursed for up to three days, inclusive, before departure.

"In three days we still have time to turn around", continues Juliette.

More generally, before setting off, holidaymakers are invited to check the cancellation conditions during this uncertain period. 

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Hope for sunny days?

More broadly, the entire tourism sector expects to give up on the February holidays.

"There is no point in planning a vacation now with a reconfinement which will possibly happen. And to go where? If it is to go nowhere and do nothing, you might as well stay at home", laments Aurélien, who counts stay in the Pink City.

"The situation is deteriorating, you have to be clear-headed and tell yourself that February is not good this year." 

Holidaymakers and tourism stakeholders now have hopes of an improvement for the Easter holidays, or even for the summer.

Without it, the situation will be truly dramatic for the entire sector.