British tourists in France have been warned of severe disruption in and around the capital city following violent protests and riots.
In a recent update, the UK Government urged those heading to Paris to be aware of action being taken by local authorities to manage the “unpredictable” unrest.
Their latest statement read: “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.”
While there are currently no blanket restrictions in place, selected suburbs have already halted late-night hospitality and trading, including in Colombes.
READ MORE: France holiday travel warning issued as widespread street riots continue
The commune is located in the northwestern suburbs of Paris, just 6.6 miles from the city centre.
It borders Nanterre, where 17-year-old Nahel was shot dead by the police last Tuesday, prompting the wave of violence that has ensued in the past few days.
Colombes’ Mayor, Patrick Chaimovitch declared a night curfew starting from last night, Saturday, July 1. According to Politico, it is scheduled to last until Tuesday morning (July 4).
Speaking to the publication, Julien Beaussier, a city councillor in charge of housing in the area, claimed that the decision was not made lightly.
He said: “It’s been three nights in a row. In Colombes, it started Wednesday [the day after the teen was killed]. There’s exasperation in local communities. … People can’t sleep. Some people have been under a de facto curfew and can’t leave their homes. Serenity has to return.”
Other suburbs have adopted a similar approach with an enforced curfew between 9-10pm and 6am.
In Clamart, a commune 5.4 miles from the city centre, a curfew between 9pm and 6am was put in place on Thursday, June 29. This is expected to continue nightly until Monday, July 3.
Restrictions are also in place between 11pm and 6am in Neuilly-sur-Marne, a commune 8.1 miles from Paris’s centre.
Though it is unclear how strictly they have been enforced, evening events have been cancelled in some areas to deter crowds.
Concerts by the French singer Mylène Farmer at Stade de France on Friday and Saturday night were cancelled as well as the third and final night of the “Fnac live festival”, which was planned for Friday, June 30.
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Bus and tram services in Paris have also been shutting down before sunset as a precaution to safeguard transportation.
Local authorities were ordered to halt networks after 9pm under instruction by Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin. The restrictions are in place “until further notice”.
Cities with a Metro network are allowed to run their Metro services as normal, though police may close certain stations if they are close to riots. In this instance, trains usually pass through to the next station without stopping.
According to The Local France, Grenoble and Lille have also seen disruption in public transport due to attacks on buses and their depots.
Since June 27, riots have taken place across France, many of which have turned violent,
Shops, public buildings and parked cars have been targeted by looting.
Government advice reads: “British nationals should reconsider any plans to attend such meetings, and if you do, be aware of your surroundings at all times, and move away quickly from disturbances.”
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