The ease of a covid test à Paris

Funny about the ubiquitous green Pharmacie signs 😄. Thanks for sharing this information! Sorry you have to return to the US tomorrow. Bet you enjoyed being in Paris.

Thank you for sharing Alexander! Great info to know for our upcoming trip.
Can I ask what the cost was?

Enjoy your last day in Paris!! What has been your favorite part?!

What are typical pharmacy hours on weekedays and weekends? What about outside of large cities like Paris?

Cost as of tomorrow for foreign tourists is

€49 for PCR test
€29 for antigen test (which meets US entry requirements)

I got lucky. For me it was 0$.

Agnès, hours vary. Many are open till 8pm

Yes, they said they will start charging as of July 7 — so future test-takers need to be aware.

Thank you for this information!

Did you need to make an appointment or just walk-in?

We were considering bringing a test kit with us to Paris (the CDC approved kind you self-administer with a proctor) but I heard the false-positive rate are much higher with these. I would rather leave the swabbing to the pros! :)

I just walked in. You'll also notice some random tents around town that offer testing. There's one right outside the Opéra métro, for example

Thank you!

Bumping up Alexander’s very useful post as this question is coming up a few times a day

Bump again

My son is there now and said it was so easy. Took less than 10 minutes when he arrived to when he left. He did pay 45 Euros though.

Returned from Paris July 7, 2021 and found the best solution to the US testing requirements.

United airlines offers emed.com and a specific Abbott testing kit that worked like a charm. I purchased the kits - 6 for $150 and registered as directed. I took the kit to Paris with me and the Monday morning before my flight on Wednesday opened the app and clicked ready for the test. My phone rang and a guide had me hold up my passport and then the bar code from the kit. I then swabbed both nostrils, placed reagent in a small well and dipped the swab into it. I was then told to shut the cover and wait 15 minutes. Sure enough 15 minutes later the phone rang and I held up the test result which were negative. Within 7 minutes a lab report signed and official appeared in my email. I printed it out and it worked great and got me back home easily. I am headed back in a few weeks and will carry another of these kits with me.

The best $150.00 I ever spent. 30 minutes in my hotel room to get my test!

The kit for $150 sounds wonderful. I am flying United home from Italy, and assume it will work there too. I will check the website.

What is the difference between how these two tests are given?
€49 for PCR test
€29 for antigen test (which meets US entry requirements)

Merci Alexander

CaliMom - I don’t know about the PCR test, as I have not had to have one in France.

The antigen test is the old long-q-tip-up-the-nose-into-your-brain- type. Results back in 15 minutes.

I don’t know why a person would pay four times what is necessary, but people will pay for the convenience I suppose. I don’t have that kind of money.

Could someone please clarify the test 3 day prior to travel requirement? If departing Paris on a Sunday for US - is taking test on Thursday acceptable?
Thanks!

Williams509, Thursday would be the earliest take a test for a Sunday flight. I flew United over here and they spell it out via their ap the exact earliest time you should take the test for your flight back to the USA. Maybe your airline has the same kind of service. It makes things easier for check in agents who need to know the rules and passengers alike.