Andorra Imposes Hunting Ban, Nationwide Closures for Macron's 2026 Visit

The Andorran government has approved exceptional security and organizational measures ahead of French co-prince Emmanuel Macron's official visit on April 27-28, 2026, including a nationwide hunting ban, mandatory closures for shops, industries, offices, and public administrations on the second day, and temporary airspace restrictions prohibiting all takeoffs and overflights by manned or unmanned aircraft.

Environment Minister and government spokesperson Guillem Casal outlined the measures during a Wednesday press conference following a Council of Ministers meeting. The closures will take effect on April 28 from 12:00 to 14:30, designated as paid, non-recoverable public holidays to encourage public attendance at Macron's 12:45 speech in Plaça del Poble, Andorra la Vella. The address will focus on Andorra's future and its ties with France. Exemptions apply to essential services, including healthcare, veterinary care, public utilities, tourism, hotels, restaurants, bars, wine cellars, and petrol stations.

A ministerial order signed by Casal, published in the *Butlletí Oficial del Principat d’Andorra* (BOPA) and effective the next day, bans all hunting across Andorra on both visit days. The Police Department in the Ministry of Justice and Interior requested the measure for the 2025-2026 season, citing security needs during official events. It draws on Hunting Law 18/2024 and 2025 regulations allowing temporary prohibitions in special circumstances.

The Consell General has detailed its portion of the itinerary, marking a historic milestone: both co-princes—Macron and episcopal co-prince Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat—will jointly preside over a traditional session around 11:30 on April 28 at Casa de la Vall. Macron is expected to arrive on foot via Carrer de la Vall, where he will be greeted by Serrano Pentinat and other officials before entering the building for institutional greetings, signing the Book of Honour, and the joint session. Deputy Síndica Sandra Codina described the occasion as a "very potent image of unity," with the co-princes seated together in the chamber. The event, lasting one to one and a half hours, will feature opening speeches by Síndic General Carles Ensenyat and Macron, followed by a flag tribute in Plaça del Consell General and an institutional photo on the historic building's steps. Security will limit public access to the plaza, though about 1,000 schoolchildren from all education systems are anticipated along the route.

Macron's schedule starts on April 27 in the early afternoon with a helicopter arrival at Estadi Comunal around 16:00, a meeting with Head of Government Xavier Espot, a visit to Forces Elèctriques d'Andorra (FEDA) to discuss energy projects potentially involving France's EDF, and an official dinner. On April 28, he will visit Lyçée Comte de Foix and an Andorran school in Santa Coloma—where students will sing the national anthem—before the Consell General events, Plaça del Poble speech, and a late-afternoon imposition of the Creu dels Set Braços on both co-princes at Meritxell Basilica. Casal emphasized that the programme is still being finalized but expressed confidence it will go ahead as planned. Further airspace and security details remain forthcoming. Casal noted that unlike Macron's 2019 visit, which involved parish stops and localized closures, this itinerary justifies a nationwide pause to maximize attendance.