Vaccine Campaign Launched as Winter Flu Spreads Across France: News Digest

A surge in winter flu cases has triggered a nationwide flu and COVID-19 vaccination drive, The Mont Blanc tunnel is set to reopen this Monday, contrôle technique inspections will start checking for defective airbags from 1 January, a new environmental tax on cruise ships is being proposed, and the deadline for paying the taxe d’habitation is approaching. As the social security budget is debated today in the Assemblée Nationale, here are the headlines from French newspapers this week.

Vaccine Campaign Launched as Winter Flu Spreads Across France

Respiratory infections, including flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are rising sharply across mainland France, with all age groups now affected, and nearly every region, except Corsica, is at or above pre-epidemic levels. A national flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaign began on October 14, targeting over-65s, high-risk individuals and pregnant women. 

Learn more about How to Get a Flu Vaccine in France here. 

Mont Blanc Tunnel To Reopen on Monday

On 12 December, the Mont Blanc tunnel will reopen after 15 weeks of repairs and renovations. The tunnel, which runs between France and Italy, had a similar closure this time last year, as it is the quietest time of year for traffic, before the busy winter period. This year’s tolls vary by vehicle and direction, costing €54.80 for a one-way trip from the French side and €55.80 when entering from the Italian side.

Contrôle Technique Tests to Start Checking for Faulty Airbags from January 1 2026

All vehicles undergoing a contrôle technique (a mandatory French roadworthiness test) from 1 January 2026 will have their airbags checked. These new measures will test if they are faulty Takata models, which have been recalled as they can explode when deployed. If the airbags do not pass the test, the vehicle will be deemed to have a critical defect. The driver may use the car only until midnight that day to take it directly to a repair garage.

Read more about Contrôle Techniques in France here.

Environmental tax on Cruise Passengers

Lawmakers in France have added a new ‘polluter pays’ cruise tax on passengers to the proposed French Budget in 2026. Under the proposal, the tax would be €15 per passenger for each port the cruise ship visits in France. France is a popular destination for boating tourism, and the government estimates around 4 million tourists visit the country on cruises each year. 

Payment Deadline for Taxe d’Habitation Approaches

Owners of second homes in France must pay their taxe d’habitation, issued in November, by 15 December if paying online. For those with a direct debit in place, the payment is typically taken on 29 December.

Read about the Taxe d’Habitation and Taxe Foncière in France here.