Travel information

Entry, transit and departure

Both France and Norway are part of the Schengen cooperation and follow these rules. For Norwegian travellers, this means that you can normally travel between the countries without ordinary border control, but you must still be able to identify yourself if required.

France requires travellers to be able to present a valid passport, or a national ID card with travel rights, both on entry and on departure. There are two versions of the Norwegian national ID card. Only the card with red lead text gives travel rights and can be used as an alternative to a passport when travelling to EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. The card with green lead text cannot be used for travel abroad.

In France, you must also always be able to identify yourself on request. For Norwegians, a passport and an ID card with travel rights are valid identity documents, and it is wise to keep them easily available while travelling.

Safety

The security alert level in France has been raised to the highest level. Travellers are encouraged to be extra vigilant, follow advice and instructions from local authorities and stay updated about the situation where they are staying. Norwegian travellers should be especially attentive in crowded places such as tourist attractions, markets, shopping centres, public transport, airports and large events.

Travellers should exercise caution, particularly in major cities and especially in Paris. The police, often supported by soldiers from the French army, carry out checks at tourist attractions, on public transport and at larger events. This may involve identity checks and checks of bags and luggage.

France has been exposed to several terrorist attacks, and the general level of preparedness is therefore high. Strikes and demonstrations are also not uncommon, and they can affect both public transport and other infrastructure. If you are staying in an area where demonstrations or strikes are taking place, you should assess your own safety carefully and follow local media. You can also read more about the security situation in France from the French authorities.

Traffic in France is characterised by higher speeds, greater traffic density and a more assertive driving style than many people are used to from Norway. It is therefore recommended to be extra attentive as a driver, cyclist and pedestrian, especially in larger cities and along busy roads.

Health

France has a well-developed healthcare system with both public and private hospitals, and health and sanitary conditions are largely comparable to those found in Norway. For most travellers, it is therefore safe and easy to get medical help if needed.

In addition to your own travel and health insurance, you should bring the European Health Insurance Card. The card is valid in all EEA countries and can be useful if you need public healthcare during your trip.

During heatwaves, especially in the summer months, it is important to follow advice from local authorities, drink enough water and be extra attentive if you are travelling with children, elderly people or people with health challenges.

Crime

Crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs frequently, especially on public transport, at outdoor cafés and at popular tourist attractions. Take good care of your passport, money and mobile phone, and be especially alert in busy areas where many people move closely together.

Preferably keep your passport itself in the hotel safe and carry a copy or another valid ID document when you are out. If tickets or travel documents are lost, you should first contact the travel agency, airline or other relevant provider. If a passport is lost or stolen, it must be reported to the police. Ask for a loss report, “Déclaration de perte/vol”, and be prepared to provide your passport number, date of issue and place of issue.

Hide your PIN when using a bank card at an ATM, and put cash away quickly after withdrawing it. Penalties for possession and use of narcotics are largely the same as in Norway. Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited, and it is also prohibited to talk on a mobile phone while driving.

Natural conditions and natural disasters

Weather conditions in France can vary greatly from area to area. If a crisis situation arises where you are, it is important to follow advice from local authorities. The French government has its own emergency pages with updated information, and the prefecture, la Préfecture, in each area publishes current rules and guidance during crises through the websites of all Préfectures.

Large parts of southern France and Corsica are often affected by drought and wildfires in the summer months, and more and more regions are being affected. During such periods, local authorities publish rules to prevent wildfires, and these may also include traffic on parts of the road network or restrictions in vulnerable natural areas. It is recommended to check this information before and during travel in the summer half-year, in addition to warnings from Météo-France.

Areas along the major rivers, including the Loire and Rhône, may be affected by flooding and inundation after heavy rainfall. In the Alps, and to some extent in the Pyrenees, there can sometimes be a risk of avalanches in winter. Travellers should also follow heatwave warnings, especially in southern France, and use Paris municipality’s information page when staying in the capital.

If you are in an affected area and need assistance, you should notify the embassy or consulate. Also remember to inform family members, your employer or close friends so they know you are safe.

Local laws and customs

A Norwegian driving licence is valid in France. Driving licence and insurance documents must always be carried in the car. When driving, you are required to have a warning triangle and a yellow reflective vest. Violation of this requirement may result in a fine of €375.

When driving in mountain areas in winter, snow chains are recommended, and in some areas winter equipment may be required depending on conditions. A vehicle environmental sticker is mandatory, also for tourists, and ordering and purchasing is done through the official Crit’Air website.

Contact information

The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Paris is located at 28, rue Bayard, 75008 Paris. See also the embassy’s website. Telephone: +33 (0)1 53 67 04 00 and email: emb.paris@mfa.no. The consular section is open to the public by appointment only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 09:15 to 14:45. To book an appointment you can follow this link.

Outside the embassy’s opening hours, the public can contact the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 24-hour operational centre by phone at +47 23 95 00 00 or by email at UDops@mfa.no.

Regardless of the length of your stay, it is recommended to register your trip on reiseregistrering.no or in the app Reiseklar before departure.

Creative ways to pack for your holiday

Packing for a holiday can often feel like a small puzzle. How do you fit in everything you need without the suitcase becoming too heavy or disorganised? With a few simple and smart methods, packing can become both easier and more efficient – and actually a pleasant part of travel preparation.

Here are some practical packing tips that make travel easier.

Smart packing techniques that save space

One of the best ways to save space is to use compression bags or packing cubes. When clothes are compressed, the volume is reduced significantly, while the contents become more organised and better protected from moisture and dust.

• More space in the suitcase.
• Better organisation.
• Protection from moisture and dust.

Another smart tip is to bring a foldable laundry bag. It makes it easy to keep dirty laundry separate from clean clothes, and can also serve as an extra bag on the trip home.

Many experienced travellers also prefer to roll clothes instead of folding them. Clothes often take up less space, stay less wrinkled and become easier to organise in the suitcase. The method is especially useful for T-shirts, underwear and light trousers.

Also use the space inside your shoes. Socks, underwear, small accessories or sunglasses in a case can be placed there to save space and help the shoes keep their shape.

Plan smarter before you pack

A common problem is packing too much. The solution is often simple: plan your outfits before you put anything in the suitcase. Think through what you will do each day, which clothes can be combined and which shoes work with several outfits.

• Choose garments that can be mixed and matched.
• Prioritise shoes that work with several outfits.
• Pack clothes that work for both day and evening when possible.

A smart strategy is also to travel in the heaviest garments. If you wear your jacket, trainers or boots and a thick jumper during the journey, you save both space and weight in your suitcase.

Keep documents and small items organised

Avoid unnecessary stress by keeping the most important documents available digitally. Take photos or store copies of your passport, flight tickets, hotel confirmations and travel insurance in a cloud service, a travel app or email. It can also be wise to keep a copy on a USB stick.

Small organising pouches make the suitcase much easier to manage. Have one pouch for toiletries, one for chargers and cables and one for jewellery or other small items. A tote bag or small backpack is also practical as hand luggage for documents, electronics and snacks.

15 brilliant packing tips almost no one tells you

Packing smart is not only about fitting everything into the suitcase – it is also about making the journey easier, more comfortable and less stressful. Small steps can make a big difference.

• Take a photo of your passport: Save it on your phone or in the cloud. If your passport goes missing, it can make the process at the embassy easier.
• Pack a pen in your hand luggage: Useful if you need to fill in forms on arrival.
• Put an extra outfit in your hand luggage: Underwear, socks and a T-shirt are worth their weight in gold if your suitcase is delayed.
• Use a shower cap for shoes: It keeps dirty soles away from your clothes.
• Use straws for liquid products: Small amounts of shampoo or cream may be enough for short trips.
• Roll clothes and place them vertically: Then you can see everything more easily at once.
• Bring a small first-aid pouch: Pack plasters, painkillers, blister plasters and allergy tablets.
• Carry an empty water bottle in your hand luggage: Fill it after security and save money at the airport.
• Take a photo of your parking spot: Note the row number, sign or location if you park the car at the airport.
• Use a glasses case for small items: Perfect for charging cables, headphones or jewellery.
• Put something that smells good in the suitcase: A small lavender sachet or scented sheet can keep clothes fresh.
• Use the hotel safe smartly: Spread valuables between the safe, bag and pocket instead of keeping everything in one place.
• Always carry a power bank: Your phone is used for maps, tickets, camera and payment.
• Take screenshots of tickets: The internet does not always work when you need it most.
• Pack a small shopping bag: Useful for markets, the beach, shopping or extra luggage on the way home.