Travel agents say there’s no need for customers to cancel trips to France over the half-term due to ongoing political protests, despite the threat of further demonstrations taking place this weekend.
Several agents posted on Facebook to say they – or their customers – have visited Paris this week without anything other than minor issues.
One said they saw a couple of shops boarded up on the Champs-Élysées following last weekend’s violent demonstrations – which led to 2,400 arrests following damage to shops and looting – but they said their trips were not disrupted.
Agent Paul Joyce of Brunlea Travel Worldchoice is currently in Paris. He said protesters blocked his group from entering the Louvre Museum on Monday, but they were able to visit yesterday without any problems.
They also visited nearby Disneyland Paris on Tuesday and, aside from a suspected gas leak that temporarily closed Mainstreet during the parade, they had no problems.
Sean Coning of Thirsk Travel Centre said he had a family who had recently returned from central Paris and they had no problems. “The family, with grandparents and grandchildren, stayed in the Latin quarter and used the Metro to get around. They saw and spoke to a few teens with placards or banners travelling to andfrom protests, but they said there was no trouble in the tourist hotspots, such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame.”
Carla Hodgson, a Personal Travel Consultant with Hays, who is also currently in Vienne in France, said she felt confident the local authorities won’t allow a repeat of last weekend’s riots. “Protests have been banned in a few places and certain areas do have curfews in place,” she said.
“We were out in Poitiers last night and it was lively and busy – just kids and families enjoying themselves and bars and restaurants doing good business.”
The Foreign Office updated its travel advice for France yesterday (22 Oct) to warn of an ‘increased likelihood’ of demonstrations, political gatherings and marches taking place across the country, sometimes at short notice. Further demonstrations are planned for tomorrow (24 October).
“Whilst most demonstrations are peaceful, you should remain aware of your surroundings,” it said. “Stay away from areas with large crowds or a significant police presence, and follow the advice of police and local authorities.
“Demonstrations may disrupt local transport services and authorities may impose public safety measures, including partial and localised curfews in some areas. Monitor local media for the latest information about measures in your area.”
