Foreign Office issues new France travel warning to Brits over curfews at short notice
The UK Foreign Office has updated travel advice for Brits heading to France amid reports of overnight curfews in major cities including Paris.
As it’s half term in Britain, many families are expectedly chomping at the bit to kickstart their Disneyland Paris adventure, embark on foodie extravaganzas in Nice and Bordeaux, and head out on general sightseeing tours across the country.
However, holidaymakers should be aware that French authorities have imposed overnight curfews in various cities, including Lyon and parts of the capital, amid violent riots and looting.
These curfews come as half a million people took to the streets of France to protest education standards and the cost of living crisis.
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While many protests have been peaceful, large groups have resorted to disorder, including burning buildings such as the Tourist Office in Lyon and the City Hall in Limoges.
Some campaigners clashed with police officers—France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said they ‘lost control’ on Saturday (17 October), as per The Guardian.
Others have targeted luxury Parisian stores and dislodged cobblestones near the capital’s Place de la République.
Travel advice updated for British holidaymakers
Amid the disarray, the UK Foreign Office has updated its advice for citizens travelling to the country.
“In response to recent events, the French government has announced that local curfews may be introduced at short notice,” the government wrote on Monday (19 October).
“To find out if you are in an affected area, check local media. Follow the instructions of local authorities.”
Officials also advise travellers to ‘monitor the media, check your operator’s advice and follow the advice of the authorities’.
“Whilst most demonstrations are peaceful, if you’re near areas where they are taking place, you should remain aware of what is happening around you and follow the advice of the police and local authorities,” it says on the office’s general safety and security page.
Are there any travel restrictions for visiting France?
Despite unrest in the country, the Foreign Office has not issued a ‘do not travel’ or ‘essential-travel-only’ warning for France.
This means travellers can still visit the country, and travel insurance should remain valid.
WalesOnline reported that there are currently no restrictions on international travel, but some countries, like the United States, have issued their own warnings.
The US State Department has enacted a Level 2 Travel Advisory, urging tourists to stay alert ‘due to terrorism and unrest’.
Brits are instead urged to check local curfew restrictions, insurance policy details, airport transfers, and official security advisories before heading to their destination.
They should also be aware that because of the ‘unrestrained violence’, public transport may also be delayed.
Are tourist attractions in France still open?
The publication confirmed that major tourist attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Musée d'Orsay, remain open despite tensions.
Disneyland Paris is also unaffected by the unrest, mainly because it is in Chessy, situated around 32km east of central Paris.
Speaking to Tyla, Vera Vojvodic, a luxury travel advisor and founder of Duchess Concept, which specialises in travel to France and Disneyland Paris, said that parents shouldn’t cancel their Disneyland dreams just yet.
"France has a long history of strikes and demonstrations, but the recent reports of violence understandably raise concerns for families planning to travel during half-term.”
She continued: "In my experience, demonstrations don't necessarily mean that an entire trip needs to be cancelled. So far, my clients haven't experienced significant problems as a result of protests in France.”
"If disruptions are expected to affect the trip significantly, I generally recommend exploring the possibility of postponing or rescheduling rather than cancelling immediately,” she added.
Topics: Travel, Crime, Disneyland
Ella Scott