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Strict Border Controls in Place After Paris Terror Attacks

A State of Emergency has been declared after the deaths of 129 people

featured in News & reviews Author Pam Williamson, Chamonix Editor Updated

On Saturday, 14th November, France declared three days of national mourning following the series of co-ordinated terror attacks which left at least 129 people dead and 352 people injured, 99 of them in critical condition. 

A minute's silence will be observed today in France and in Monaco, at midday in memory of those who lost their lives.

A 'State of Emergency' was also declared on Saturday with security forces across the country being on "maximum alert". This means that Préfectures have the power to impose curfews if they consider there is a real threat to public order. In addition to this in Paris and the suburbs, gatherings in a public place have been banned until at least Thursday. 

For tourists and those travelling to and from France at the moment you will find that strict border controls are in place, with particular attention paid to 61 main access routes into France. This will no doubt mean delays in airports as all passports are thoroughly checked, more queuing at ferry terminals and tailbacks at border control points on motorways and roads.

France was already due to increase border security and enforce border controls for one month from the 30th November for the UN Conference on Climate Change in Paris. The French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said that this was a precaution "because of the terrorist threat or risk of public disorder". It is currently thought that the conference will go ahead, albeit with increased security.

The border controls will no doubt remain in place well into December. You should check your flight status and traffic if you are travelling across a border in or out of France during this period. Airport transfers companies with the French Alps have already anticipated delays on getting through the Swiss border in Geneva and are allowing extra time to account for this.

There is an information line/helpline for tourists in Paris: 01 45 55 80 00. Domestic flight schedules are unaffected (at present). The Paris préfecture de police has a helpline for anyone seeking information on a missing person. From France it is 0800 40 60 05. From abroad, call +33 1 45 50 34 60. Paris hospitals also have a hotline: 01 40 27 40 27.