Paris has now seen three nights of unrest following the murder of a 17-year-old by police officers on June 27.
The death of the teenager, known only as Nahel, was captured on video and has shocked France, sparking long-simmering tensions between young people and police in residential areas. disadvantaged people across the country.
Transportation and businesses were disrupted due to the clashes; on Friday (June 30), interior minister Gérald Darmanin asked regional prefects to stop all bus and tram services from 9pm local time. Before traveling, check to see if your plans will be affected and how you will be traveling.
But as the French capital is gearing up for the annual influx of summer holiday tourists, is it safe to travel to Paris?
Where are the clashes?
Clashes first broke out on Tuesday night in Nanterre, a town in the western suburbs of Paris and nearby, and continued overnight on Wednesday. They continued Wednesday through Thursday, in which a fire damaged the town hall of the Paris suburb of L’Ile-Saint-Denis, not far from France’s national stadium and the headquarters of the World 2024 Paris Olympics.
Trouble spread further on Thursday night and into Friday, with looting taking place in Rue de Rivoli, near the Louvre Museum and the Champs Elysées, and a central Nike store being broken into – an escalation significant scale. Videos circulating on social media showed a fire at the site of an Olympic swimming pool, believed to be under construction for the 2024 Olympics.
Is it safe to visit Paris?
Some 17 million Britons visit France every year, and most visits are hassle-free, but the ugly scenes of the past few days may cause some concern.
Another important thing to consider is where you are traveling in the capital. Much of the city is unaffected by the unrest and most of it is in non-touristy areas; The Interior Ministry has announced that thousands of additional police will be deployed to quell further clashes. If you find yourself close to any protests, it is advised to leave the affected area.
However, the Foreign, Federal and Development Office (FCDO) has not issued a travel warning for France. independence contacted it for an update. The US government also does not issue any travel advice regarding France.
The FCDO website now says: “Since June 27, riots have taken place across France. Many have become violent. Shops, public buildings and parked cars were targeted. There may be disruption to road travel and local transport availability may be reduced. Some local governments may impose curfews. The place and time of the riots are unpredictable. You should monitor the media, avoid areas where riots are taking place, check the latest travel advice from operators and follow the advice of the authorities.”
Am I covered by travel insurance?
“It is more important than ever to buy travel insurance,” says FCDO. If you fall into disrepair or if you decide you don’t want to travel, it’s important to check the clear print: many travel insurances only offer limited coverage for claims. related to or caused by civil unrest.
Helen Phipps, director at comparethemarket.com, said during a major industrial operation in France earlier this year. TV news that it’s important for travelers to “check your policy wording or contact your insurance provider to confirm what you’re covered”.
She added: “Many people are at risk of not buying insurance early enough, leaving them unprotected if something goes wrong.”
Amber Moon, marketing manager at travel insurance provider Holidaysafe, says independence says: “Your travel insurance will remain in effect in the usual manner for medical expenses, such as if for any reason you are accidentally involved in any riots and are love. This will also apply to personal property if they are lost or damaged by tampering. But we advise all travelers to take reasonable precautions to avoid areas where rioting is taking place.
She added: “Like all overseas trips, we recommend that travelers let someone know where they are going and always keep contract details with them in case something goes wrong. okay happens.”
Some holiday vendors say independence that it has received no contact from customers regarding issues in France, while an easyJet spokesperson said: “Any customer flying to France this weekend wishing to change their plans can contact Contact our customer service team for assistance with their options. include a transfer to an alternative flight and we will waive the change.”
What about other cities in France?
Fires and clashes broke out in various French cities overnight, from Toulouse in the south to Lille in the north, but the main area affected was Nanterre. Again, be sure to check your travel insurance and plan ahead.
