Bed bugs in Paris?
Yes, multiple media outlets and the French authorities have been notified of reports of bed bugs since the summer.  The tiny pests were first reported seen in hotels and various vacation rental apartments.  

Is it OK to travel to Paris, or elsewhere in France?
Yes, Paris is a large city and while there have been widespread reports it does not mean it is unsafe to travel to the French capital or elsewhere. 

How do I know if it is safe to stay at my hotel or rental property?
It's always best to be safe and collect as much information on your destinations wherever your travels take you.  While nothing can be full proof, we recommend the following:

• Check with the hotel property -or- with the management team of the rental property that you have reservations with prior to arrival to ensure they have not had any reported infestations
• If you have been unable to contact the hotel property -or- the management team of your rental property, please reach out to your travel advisor for further assistance.

What can I do to avoid getting bed bugs?
While there are no official rules to prevent bed bugs, there are a few precautionary actions you can take to ensure you limit the type of environment that bed bugs thrive in. 

• Do not set your luggage on the bed. While it may be tempting to do so, the bed is where bed bugs thrive, hence their name.  Instead, make use of the luggage rack. If your room does not have one, keep your luggage close to the door or away from the bed.
• Keep dirty/worn clothes separate from clean clothes. Take it a step further and bring a dirty laundry bag and make sure to dispose of your worn clothes in the dirty clothes bag and tie it shut each day as you add to it.  Bed bugs are more attracted to dirty clothes, don't tempt them.
• If you have both hard-cased luggage and cloth based luggage, travel with the hard-cased luggage. It's harder for bed bugs to latch onto hard surfaces than it is to latch onto cloth based luggage.
• Keep your room cool at night. 
• Wash all clothes immediately upon your return home.

Sources: Condé Nast Traveler, The Bedbugs in Paris: Here's what we know so far. Olivia Morelli and Charlie Hobbs. Oct. 13, 2023.

For more information on bed bugs or other travel related concerns, please connect with your travel advisor.