Large-scale protests across France have escalated into looting and arson, with luxury stores and public buildings in Paris coming under attack. As traces of the violence remain visible on streets across the country, travelers planning trips to France are increasingly asking whether they should cancel.
Student Anger Spreads Nationwide as 550,000 Take to the Streets
Student protests demanding better school conditions have grown into a nationwide anti-government movement against high prices and government policy, The Guardian and other foreign media reported on the 19th.
High school students took to the streets last month at the start of the new term, protesting teacher shortages, deteriorating classrooms and excessive class hours. Labor unions and civic groups later joined, broadening the grievances to include rising living costs and the government's austerity policies.
A sharp rise in fuel prices in the wake of the war in Iran has added to the financial burden on low- and middle-income households, further fueling the protests.
About 110 rallies were held across France on the 17th. The Interior Ministry estimated turnout at 550,000, while the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) put the figure at 800,000.
The government announced it would deploy 3,000 additional substitute teachers and scrap planned tuition increases at some universities, but the protests have not subsided. Controversy over excessive force has also flared after minors were injured as police deployed tear gas and water cannons.
President Emmanuel Macron said in an address to the nation on the 18th that he felt "anger and shame" over the violence and pledged a tough response to looting and destruction.
Luxury Stores Ransacked, 143-Year-Old City Hall Burned, 1,500 Shops Damaged
As the protests intensified, looting and arson spread through major French cities.
In Paris, 12 shops near Place de la République were looted, and the Galeries Lafayette department store and luxury boutiques were also attacked.
In Bordeaux, the windows of a Louis Vuitton store were smashed and handbags stolen. In Marseille, stores including a Hermès outlet were targeted, while in Lille an Apple store was looted.
Some luxury brands are reported to have hired private security. Photographs circulated showing a security team posted outside a Dior store in Paris, though the size of the detail and any damage could not be confirmed.
Public facilities were also damaged. In Limoges, in central France, a 143-year-old city hall building was set ablaze. Staff were inside at the time, and some protesters are reported to have thrown objects at firefighters trying to extinguish the blaze.
In Marseille, a masked group broke into a government building and toppled a bust of Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic.
About 1,500 businesses nationwide suffered damage, with losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros, according to the French retail and commerce federation.
French authorities said roughly 2,400 people have been arrested in the unrest and more than 1,000 police and gendarmerie officers injured.
"Should I Cancel My Paris Trip?" Travelers Divided
With the turmoil continuing across France, South Korean travelers with trips planned are growing more anxious.
Posts asking about security conditions in Paris or weighing whether to cancel appeared one after another on the 19th on NAVER travel forums such as Check-in Europe and Yurang.
One traveler sought other users' views in a post titled, "Is anyone canceling their trip because of the Paris protests?"
Responses from tourists already in France were mixed. One user, who said they were on the 10th day of a trip in Paris, reported no major inconvenience because they had avoided areas where protests were taking place. Protesters and police are not targeting tourists directly, the user said, but travelers should be prepared for traffic restrictions.
Another traveler, who said they arrived in Paris on the 17th, reported seeing shattered glass and crumpled chairs in various parts of the city. The Champs-Élysées, a major tourist attraction, was quieter than usual, the traveler said.
Some are urging caution in particular because protests can escalate suddenly and rally locations can change.
Travelers should check the Foreign Ministry's overseas travel safety website and safety notices from the South Korean Embassy in France before departing, and avoid rally sites and police-controlled zones while in the country. They should also check frequently for changes to public transport services.