Warning for Brit holidaymakers as riots hit France after teen shot dead
Holidaymakers with plans for trips to France this summer have been warned about "violent" riots spanning the country after the fatal police shooting of a teenager. More than 1,000 people have been arrested after nationwide demonstrations in response to the incident.
President Emmanuel Macron has withheld declaring a state of emergency after at least 471 arrests were made on Friday, a decrease from 917 on Thursday (June 29). Rioters had petrol jerry cans and Molotov cocktails in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre, authorities said.
The French government has ordered a national night-time shutdown of all public buses and trams and added 5,000 police to the streets, increasing the number to 45,000 overall. Essex's two airports - Stansted Airport and Southend Airport - both serve destinations in France.
The latter has direct flights to Paris whilst Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Paris and Toulouse are among the French destinations served by Stansted Airport.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for France says: "Since June 27, riots have taken place across France. Many have turned violent. Shops, public buildings and parked cars have been targeted. 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.
"French authorities have banned a rally by groups opposed to the government in Iran planned for July 1 in Paris, due to concerns about security risks; connected events are reported to still be going ahead, however, including in the suburb of Auvers-sur-Oise.
"A demonstration by the same group in Paris in June 2018 was the target of an attempted bomb attack. British nationals should reconsider any plans to attend such meetings, and if you do, be aware of your surroundings at all times, and move away quickly from disturbances.
"It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance. Around 17 million British nationals visit France every year. Most visits are trouble-free.