Macron Arrives by Helicopter in Andorra as Co-Prince for Two-Day Official Visit

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived by helicopter at Estadi Comunal in Andorra la Vella around 4pm on Monday, 27 April, as one of Andorra's co-princes for a two-day official visit. The trip followed morning engagements in Ariège, where he opened a geotextiles factory in Laroque-d’Olmes and reviewed hospital improvements in Lavelanet amid pressures on CHIVA from general practitioner shortages and reindustrialisation challenges, including uncertainty at the Saint-Gaudens cellulose plant affecting 350 jobs.

After landing, Macron met Head of Government Xavier Espot Zamora at Ràdio Andorra for roughly 40 minutes to discuss housing shortages, abortion decriminalisation, the EU association agreement, and French border access. He then joined Episcopal Co-prince Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat for a historic joint session receiving credentials from about 15 ambassadors, including the United States' Benjamin Leon Jr. The group later toured FEDA's hydroelectric plant, highlighting energy sustainability, before Macron hosted a dinner at Park Hotel for around 200 civil society representatives, with a focus on young talents.

Tuesday's schedule, 28 April, spanned from 9am to roughly 4:30pm or later. Macron visited Lycée Comte de Foix at 9am and Escola Andorrana de Santa Coloma at 10am, followed by a procession with Serrano along Carrer de la Vella from Andorra la Vella town hall to Casa de la Vall around 11am. More than 1,000 schoolchildren from all parishes and education systems—including British, vocational, and Fundació Privada Meritxell—lined the route in a festive display, echoing Serrano's recent oath-taking. The walk, initially brief, was set to extend for greetings, with Macron likely breaking protocol to interact and receive student gifts.

At 12:45pm, Macron and Espot addressed the public in Plaça del Poble. A private institutional lunch followed at the former Rosaleda hotel around 2pm. The visit culminated around 4:15pm at Nostra Senyora de Meritxell sanctuary's cloister, weather permitting, where both co-princes received the Cross of the Seven Arms. Macron was due to depart by helicopter via El Tarter to Toulouse.

Brigitte Macron did not join due to unavoidable personal commitments, confirmed late last week after earlier uncertainty and initial plans for a parallel education-focused agenda. Her absence, mirroring 2019, simplified protocol—Andorran law provides no provisions for consorts—and reduced security demands.

Security measures included Decree 148/2026, approved 15 April, published in BOPA, and effective from 22 April through Wednesday, 29 April. It banned takeoffs and overflights of manned or unmanned aircraft nationwide on 27-28 April, suspending prior permits except for state flights, emergencies, healthcare, or controlled airways. Based on 2000 aviation law Article 8 and Justice and Interior Ministry recommendations, the restriction—coordinated via Autoritat Aeronàutica Andorrana and a French AIP NOTAM—targeted risks from helicopters and drones during the high-level visit. Advance security teams scouted sites by helicopter on Sunday.

Elevators from Plaça Lídia Armengol to Plaça del Consell closed from 8am to 2pm Tuesday. Non-essential businesses observed paid holidays from 12:00 to 14:30 Tuesday, excluding healthcare, tourism, and fuel. Motorcades caused traffic cuts; officials urged public transport, walking, and live updates.

**Bus disruptions affected central parishes:**

**Monday:** - Estadi Comunal (15:40-16:20; alt: Estació Nacional, including Exprés line). - Ràdio Andorra (16:00-19:00; alt: Valira Nova, also L3). - FEDA Central (18:45-19:45, lines L2/L3/L4/L6; alts: Carretera d’Engolasters, Coll de Caldes, Cruïlla d’Engolasters for L2).

**Tuesday:** - L1 northbound (10:45-13:45; alt: Baixada del Molí/Prat de la Creu, skipping Quirola, Príncep Benlloch, Creu Grossa). - L2/L4 at Comú d’Encamp/Rosaleda (14:15-16:30; alts: Plaça Sant Miquel, Pastoressos).

Changes could adjust based on security needs. Government spokesman Guillem Casal described housing and abortion discussions as standard bilateral topics in a "normal, healthy and democratic" exchange. Few protests were expected.