With millions of people attending the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, many may have an unwelcome arrival with fines up to €15,000 (£12,631) if they don’t follow some surprising French laws, according to a personal finance expert.
Following the recent Eurostar attacks wreaking havoc on travel plans, anyone heading to France soon could also face penalties for various unexpected behaviours when they arrive – from being naked in your hotel room, to wearing swim shorts in public, or even taking a photo of the Eiffel Tower at night.
UK Debt Expert personal finance expert Maxine McCreadie is warning tourists heading to the Paris 2024 Olympics of the financial penalties they may face if they don’t brush up on French rules and regulations.
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Watch where you smoke
The French are cracking down on the act with an aim to create a smoke-free generation by 2032 – with bans on smoking in public places, including restaurants and public transport, which could land tourists a fine of up to €450.
For holiday makers venturing outside of the capital city, new regulations in 2024 have also made it illegal to smoke on French beaches, with fines issued for doing so.
Wear appropriate clothing
While Brits often opt for loose-fitting swim shorts when going for a dip, these items have been banned by French law since 1903. Instead, holiday makers must opt for tight-fitting swimwear, like Speedos, in public pools or risk getting kicked out, due to hygiene reasons.
Another obscure penalty awaits Brits who are visible ‘au naturel’ by those outside of their hotel room or private residence, with fines up to €15,000 (£12,631).
Don’t walk and drink
Tourists could rack up further fines for drinking alcohol in public places such as streets and parks (€38), littering in public places (€68) and for not having a valid ticket on public transport (€50).
Maxine specifically warns those who will be flooding Paris’s streets for the 2024 Olympics, “that being drunk and disorderly in public can incur fines and possible police detention”.
Climbing on historic monuments or buildings is strictly prohibited and could incur fines of up to €1,500 for any drunken tourists who may attempt it.
Maxine stresses that “racking up unexpected fines from €50 – €15,000 (£42 – £12,634) can quickly diminish any savings that holidaymakers have built to attend the Olympics in Paris, which could result in some relying on debt to cover the cost”.
Second-guess sharing that selfie
While largely unenforceable and a law broken frequently by tourists, many could also be surprised by legal action for posting a photo of the Eiffel Tower at night during its dazzling light show, due to European copyright law.
While a photo of the Eiffel Tower itself is copyright-free, the light show it displays from nightfall to 1am is protected work, so tourists should be mindful of where they post this content, should they take it.
Always carry your ID
“If you’re travelling to the Paris 2024 Olympics by train, remember to keep a valid driving licence or passport document with you, as a tourist was recently fined €120 for not showing accepted proof of ID.” Maxine says.
Beware of carpooling
“If travelling solo, you should be aware of the strict carpool restrictions in France, where drivers without passengers now face fines of up to €135 if they are caught in a car-sharing lane by a thermal camera,” she said.
Safety precautions
Other behaviours that could land you a €135 fine in France include wearing headphones while driving, not using a seatbelt, and not wearing a hi-vis vest when at the side of the road if your car breaks down.
If you’re travelling with kids watching TV on a portable display to pass the time, make sure this is out of the driver’s field of vision, as this could land you a further €1,500 (£1,260) fine.
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