04 July 2023 , 13:29
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Brits heading on France holidays have been warned of curfews and "unpredictable" riots which could break out at any time.
Following a week of rioting the country is facing a ‘quarter-of-a-billion euro bill’ according to some estimates, with violent protests having wrecked town centre's and hit the tourism sector hard.
Hotel and restaurant bookings have collapsed as people cancel their trips to the country, wary of being swept up in protests over the death of a teenager at the hands of the police.
It was exactly a week ago that the shooting dead of a French-Algerian teenager by a Paris policeman triggered consecutive nights of disturbances. In a sign that the unrest is cooling slightly, there were just 78 arrests overnight Monday to Tuesday, compared to thousands at the weekend.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not advised Brits against travel to France, but it has issued a stark warning about the potential risks tourists could face.
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Tourist leaders have warned of the impact of the riots on the sector (Getty Images)"Since 27 June, riots have taken place across France. Many have turned violent. Shops, public buildings and parked cars have been targeted," the government body warns.
"There may be disruptions to road travel and local transport provision may be reduced. Some local authorities may impose curfews. Locations and timing of riots are unpredictable.
"You should monitor the media, avoid areas where riots are taking place, check the latest advice with operators when travelling and follow the advice of the authorities."
The FCDO says it it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover, pointing people towards its guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay encouraged people considering travelling to France to check the FCDO for updated advice.
Speaking on Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, he said: “It’s something that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be monitoring very closely. They keep regular updates on their website.
The protests have been rumbling on for a week (AFP via Getty Images)“And what I would say to anyone concerned about it who is thinking of travelling to France, to keep an eye on the Foreign Office website, there will be regular updates there, and that will keep people informed.”
Paul Charles, founder of travel consultancy The PC Agency, suggested people should not cancel their trips as they would not be covered by their travel insurance unless the FCDO advised against travel to France.
He told the PA news agency: “It’s clearly a nerve-wracking time for those planning to go, it’s vital to keep up to date with the latest news because it’s such a fast-moving situation and UK travellers are going to have to be flexible in their planning.
“My advice would be to stay clear for the moment of big cities in the evenings, make sure you are not going to areas where there is likely to be large protests taking place and seek advice from the hotel you are staying in or from local websites which are being updated about the situation."
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Around 17 million British nationals visit France every year, with many of those trips coming in the upcoming school summer holidays.
Many tourism leaders in France have joined politicians in warning that the clean-up following the riots would cost multi-millions.
Hundreds of people have been arrested in the disorder (AFP via Getty Images)Similar rioting in 2005 cost the country the equivalent of some £200m, while the Yellow Vests revolt that started in 2018 caused around £250m in damage. A French economy ministry source estimated similar figure for material damage alone this time round.
"Everything from travel infrastructure to shops have been ransacked or burnt out, and this will cost millions," he said.
"Add the loss of tourism income, and the overall damage to France’s image, then quarter of a billion euros in losses is a conservative figure."
At least a dozen major shopping centres, 200 household name retail chains, 250 bank branches and numerous fashion, sportswear and fast food retail chains have been attacked.
Thierry Marx, head of France’s hoteliers and restaurateurs association, said: "Our hotel members have suffered a wave of cancellations of reservations in all the areas affected by the damage and clashes."
Mr Marx said he received daily reports from colleagues who had suffered "attacks, looting and destruction of their businesses, including some restaurants and cafes."
Jacques Creyssel, of France’s Retail Federation, said there had been attacks on multiple business, which were "vandalised, looted or burned".
Jean-François Rial, president of the Paris Tourist Office, said there had already been "20 per cent to 25 per cent cancellations in Paris by international customers."
Looking forward to events such as the Rugby World Cup, which opens in Paris in September, and the Olympics next year, Mr Rial said the effect was catastrophic.
"If it continues like this, it can significantly complicate the organisation of the Olympic Games," he said.