Thousands of euros disappeared in a few hours during the summer vacation. This is a real risk facing tens of thousands of families this season. The issue of travel compensation has become urgent as more than 220,000 people have been evacuated due to wildfires raging in the Gironde Landes mountains. With Seasonal Rentals banned, campgrounds closed and train services suspended, vacationers are trying to figure out what their contracts really say. Here are some specific rules you should know before you call your landlord or insurance company.
Why the return rules have been changed due to the evacuation
The scale of this situation is unprecedented. The authorities ordered a mass evacuation in the affected areas. The governor has specifically asked tourists not to travel to the Gironde until the fire is under control. French National Railways (SNCF) followed suit and advised passengers to postpone train journeys in the affected areas and exchange or refund tickets free of charge**.
But what about the accommodation itself? Do you want to rent a hotel in Cap-Ferret, a caravan or a hotel in Arcachon in La Teste-de-Buche? The answer depends on one key criterion: party cancelling. Vacant properties are protected if the owner or landlord ends their stay. If the passenger surrenders alone, the situation becomes even more uncertain.
According to the travel contract: force majeure and voluntary cancellation
** Scenario 1: The facility is closed or an evacuation order has been issued. **
The owner must refund the full amount of the stay or a proportional refund for the remaining days if the vacation has already started. Payments cannot be withheld. The closures apply to everyone.
Case 2: Package travel booked through an agent. **
This is, for example, a combination of flights and hotels. If you cancel the service, the entire package must be returned**. Be careful when booking services individually. EACH BIDDER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS OWN PERFORMANCE. In particular, if the hotel in Bordeaux closes, but the plane is still flying, the airline is not obliged to refund the ticket.
Scenario 3: The passenger wants to cancel voluntarily out of fear, but the area has not been evacuated. The lessor has no legal obligation to return the money. The best way is to renegotiate the schedule or credit. In the case of travel packages, the travel agency can charge a cancellation fee as long as it is specified in the contract and is reasonable.
Here is a clear summary of the most common situations:
- Evacuation zones, closed accommodation facilities: Full or proportional refund.
- **Reseller package, 1 service cancellation: ** Full refund of the package.
- **Individual bookings, only one: ** Refunds only for canceled services.
- Voluntary cancellation outside the evacuation zone: There are no mandatory refunds. It can be an act of goodwill.
Insurance and credit cards: Fast return options
Check all your insurance guarantees before you give up your holiday. Trip cancellation insurance purchased at the time of booking can cover natural disasters and unexpected events. Luxury credit cards, especially Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold or similar, often offer travel protection when you use the card to pay for your stay. Contact your bank’s support services immediately.
As for your personal belongings, if your policy includes a vacation coverage clause, home insurance will cover your belongings if they are destroyed in a fire at your holiday destination. Several insurance companies have announced special measures. Crédit Agricole Assurance offers emergency assistance to MRH policyholders who have lost their property €250/adult and €100/child. Macif will provide one night of rehousing to members trapped in the evacuation zone, even if the rental property is undamaged.
Steps to maximize refund opportunities
Keep all evidence : contracts, invoices, cancellation emails, provincial orders.
* Report the damage to your insurance company within 5 business days .
* Prefer written communication with the landlord for accounting purposes.
Check the coverage limitations and deductibles for each warranty before proceeding with other steps.
Summer fires are a cruel reminder of an often forgotten fact. Vacation contracts are read before departure, not when the smoke is already on the horizon**. Cancellation insurance, credit cards, vacation insurance… these protections combine to make financial disaster a mere setback. With the increase in extreme weather events, the question remains whether travel insurance should be considered an unavoidable expense like a plane ticket.
