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Businesses have been looted, buildings set on fire, and streets pillaged in towns and cities across France during nationwide protests that turned violent, leading to more than 2,400 arrests.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is convening an emergency cabinet meeting Monday morning to assess the violence and looting over the weekend.
Nearly half a million people took to the streets protesting rising living costs on Saturday, the Interior Ministry said, adding that violent fringe groups used the opportunity to set fire to buildings, ransack shops and attack police vehicles.
Videos coming out of the city of Limoges showed flames engulfing the 19th-century City Hall, causing its roof to collapse, while looting occurred at hundreds of businesses in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Rennes, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Nice and other cities.
One protester died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a protest in Paris. Around the capital’s Place de la République, cobblestones have been dislodged and storefronts shattered, while damage was reported in other tourist and shopping areas in the city centre.
In Lyon, demonstrators set fire to the tourism office and smashed its windows, before trying to prevent firefighters from tackling the blaze.
Riot police were seen charging at crowds with batons and firing tear gas as they clashed with protestors across France.
With no clear end in sight for the protests, here’s what you need to know if you are a tourist planning to travel to France.
Follow live: France protests latest
Why are the protests happening?
The protests began last month at high schools in Paris’ suburbs over lack of staff and failing facilities, before spreading nationwide.
The French government has claimed the protest movement was hijacked by outsiders and morphed into urban violence.
The movement gained traction on Saturday as other groups started protesting France’s high cost of living, arguing that the welfare system is deteriorating.
Macron has called for calm, saying “we all feel anger and shame” after “unprecedented violence” nationwide. He vowed to “make examples if need be” of the rioters, warning that “those who want to spark violence and create unrest in our country, we will not yield”.
What does the UK government say?
The UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) does not have any specific travel warnings relating to the protests in France.
On its general safety and security page for the country, it says there is frequent industrial action, demonstrations, political gatherings, and marches that can occur with little to no warning.
“If you’re due to travel to or within France, monitor the media, check your operator’s advice and follow the advice of the authorities,” it says.
“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.”
Should I cancel my holiday?
As the FCDO has not warned against non-essential travel to France, there are no special circumstances in place to cancel a trip for a full refund.
The conditions for cancelling your trip depend on your holiday provider, so it’s best to contact them if you’re looking to postpone.
Companies are not obliged to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes.
If you do have travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
Read more: What sparked the fiery protests in France – and how they could spread across Europe
