A government minister has advised people considering travelling to France to check the latest Foreign Office advice amid ongoing rioting across the country.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated its travel advisory on Friday, warning of possible disruption to road travel and public transport together with the possibility of curfews.
The travel advice, which cautioned that the locations and timing of riots were “unpredictable”, remained unchanged over the weekend.
Violence has erupted across France following the fatal shooting of 17-yea-old Nahel Merzouk in the Paris suburb of Nanterre last Tuesday.
Almost 3,000 arrests are reported to have been made since Thursday with around 45,000 police deployed across the country for a second night on Saturday with flashpoints including the Mediterranean port city of Marseille. Violence has also spread to Lille, Lyon, Nice and Strasbourg.
UK health secretary Steve Barclay told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: “It’s something that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be monitoring very closely. They keep regular updates on their website.”
The latest advice has not gone so far as to warn against all but essential travel – a measure which would invalidate many travel insurance policies.
However, the FCDO said: “It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover.”
The travel advice, revised on Friday lunchtime, said: “Since 27 June, 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.”
Eurostar cautioned that public transport would be “extremely limited” from 9pm French time until 5am due to public protests in France and said passengers wanting to postpone journeys could exchange tickets.
Around 17 million Britons visit France every year, according to the FCDO.
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: “Though the Foreign Office has issued advice to those travelling to France that their trip could be disrupted by the ongoing protests, and warned local authorities may choose to implement curfews, they have stopped short of advising against travel to the country.
“If you choose not to travel, holiday providers are unlikely to provide a refund under these circumstances, unless you have a flexible booking policy.
“It is worth checking your travel insurance policy to see the eventualities you’re covered for, but again, policies are unlikely to offer a refund unless the FCDO has advised against travel.
“All visitors should ensure they take out a comprehensive policy before travelling, particularly as circumstances may change.”