France is to scrap its domestic vaccine passport from 14 March, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Thursday.
The end of the pass system will be welcome news for holidaymakers with unvaccinated children aged 12 to 15.
Currently, in order to access public places or long distance public transport, those aged 12 to 15 must provide a negative test result from a Covid test taken within the past 24 hours or proof of a recent infection.
The country’s indoor face mask mandate will also to be scrapped, except for on public transport where face coverings will still be required.
All public ski lifts in France fall under the regulations for public transport, meaning that face coverings are likely to remain mandatory for skiers and snowboarders on lifts.
At present, people aged 16 and over must have a pass vaccinal or vaccine pass to access public services and venues. This must be either proof of vaccination, or proof of recovery dated more than 11 days and less than six months ago, or proof of a medical exemption.
For anyone over the age of 18 and 1 month old, proof of vaccination is only valid if it includes a booster dose. Boosters are required for those fully vaccinated more than seven months ago. From 15 February this requirement will drop to five months.
More from Lifestyle
While children aged 12 to 15 fall under the less strict pass sanitaire or health pass rules. Children may provide proof of a negative test to access this pass. Tests are only valid for 24 hours at a time.
Both the pass vaccinal and pass sanitaire will be scrapped from 14 March.
The easing of restrictions affects domestic Covid requirements only and will have no effect on entry rules at the border.
Since 12 February, fully vaccinated arrivals aged 12 and over have been able to travel to France without testing. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from all entry requirements.