Curfews were introduced across France this week, after a series of anti-government protests escalated into widespread riots and looting.
What began last month as student strikes over deteriorating school conditions spiralled into a national crisis over the weekend, fueled by anger over the surging cost of living.
Over 500,000 citizens took to the streets in cities including Paris, Lille and Nice on Saturday, holding placards featuring slogans from ‘love will triumph’ to ‘if we burn, you burn’.
While the majority of demonstrators marched peacefully, pockets of unrest broke out towards the evening, with buildings set on fire, shops looted, and masked groups brawling with armed officers.
More than 2,500 were arrested for taking part in the unrest — in which tear gas was used to restrain crowds and hundreds were injured, one fatally — although Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez admitted police had ‘lost control’ in some areas.
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In response, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu gave regional authorities to implement highly localised lockdowns, saying his ‘determination to restore order [was] absolute.’
In Paris, curfews were placed on specific hubs throughout the capital from 8pm last night to 6am this morning, while northern hubs such as Lille enacted multi-day 6pm to 6am restrictions.
Elsewhere, the likes of Lyon, Marseille, and Bordeaux introduced tight gathering bans, with Nice implementing targeted overnight curfews explicitly targeting minors.
It’s a worrying prospect for British holidaymakers heading across the Channel, who could face everything from transport disruptions to fines for violating rules — let alone the prospect of getting caught up in sudden clashes.
If you have a trip to France booked over the coming days, here’s everything you need to know.
Latest FCDO advice for travel to France
Following the events, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a notice on its website warning Brits travelling to France that ‘local curfews may be introduced at short notice.’
It advised visitors to check local media to find out if you’re in an affected area, and to ‘follow the instructions of local authorities.’
However, despite stressing ‘no travel can be guaranteed safe’, the ministerial department has not issued any official guidance against travel to France.
According to Mark Wilkinson, managing director at Norton Insurance Brokers, this means you’re unlikely to get any of your money refunded through travel insurance if you choose to cancel your trip.
‘Insurers treat that as “disinclination to travel”, not an insured reason to cancel,’ he tells Metro.
‘That position changes quickly if the FCDO updates its advice to “against all but essential travel” for a region you’re visiting. At that point, travellers who already have cancellation cover in place may be able to claim. Anyone who travels against that advice is also likely to find their policy invalid.’
To avoid any issues, Mark recommends checking the FCDO website both before you leave and once you get to your destination to avoid confusion, as well as looking over your specific insurance provider’s smallprint.
He adds: ‘Many policies contain exclusions for riots, civil commotion or deliberately putting yourself in harm’s way. If you’re injured because you went to watch or film a protest, you may struggle to claim. Equally, missing a flight because a curfew stopped you reaching the airport isn’t automatically covered under missed departure.’
Cities in France most affected by recent riots
- Paris
- Lyon
- Marseille
- Nice
- Lille
- Bordeaux
- Limoges
Despite this, Rhys Jones, travel insurance expert at Go.Compare, says it’s still a good idea to ‘retain evidence of any disruption, including receipts and written confirmation from providers,’ and to contact your insurer before incurring significant additional costs or changing travel arrangements to see what they’ll cover.
‘Visitors should also avoid affected areas and demonstrations, factor in additional time for travel, keep their phone charged, and ensure they have access to key booking details and emergency contact information,’ he tells Metro.
‘As disruption can change quickly, it is sensible to keep plans flexible and identify alternative routes or transport options where possible.’
James Nightingall, founder of private accommodation firm Suites and Villas, claimed unrest had already impacted the travel sector, with people ‘rushing to change or cancel their bookings over safety concerns.’
‘Since the first riots started in Paris at the end of September, we have also seen a 35% increase in travellers choosing refundable rates,’ he added.
‘Whether people are booking for leisure or business trips, deals have become much less of a priority as long as their trip is fully refundable.’
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