The U.S. Embassy in France has issued a fresh warning to Americans amid spreading violent unrest.
The embassy said Monday that partial curfews had been introduced in several French cities, with additional restrictions possible in the days ahead. The advisory follows violent protests on October 17 that rocked multiple cities and prompted authorities to impose overnight restrictions in central Paris and beyond.
“Following the October 17 protests that turned violent, media report the Prime Minister’s office introduced partial curfews for Monday, October 19 and Tuesday, October 20 in several cities across France, including Lille,” the embassy said in its statement.
“Media report more curfews may follow for parts of Paris and in prefectures across the country, and that scattered protests could continue.”
The chaos forced Dutch entrepreneur Tije De Boer, who was visiting Paris with his children, to evacuate his hotel at Place de la République. De Boer described the scene to the outlet as “like a war zone” following the intense protests that rocked the French capital on Oct. 17.
“It’s like a war zone here,” De Boer said report.
In Paris, authorities imposed overnight curfews in areas including Place de la République and the Les Halles Shopping District. Riot police deployed tear gas across the streets near Place de la République in an attempt to disperse crowds during the escalating street battles. The gas quickly mixed with heavy, acrid smoke from torched vehicles and street fires.
The riots have been fueled by a range of grievances, including rising living costs and mass migration, and have been reported across France, with protests in cities including Paris, Lille and Lyon.
Major tourist attractions have felt the impact directly. The Louvre Museum in Paris was forced to close Monday after protesters blocked its entrances. Travelers visiting Paris are being advised to avoid popular protest gathering spots, including Place de la République, Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation, along with major thoroughfares such as Boulevard Voltaire, which are frequently used for demonstrations of London.
Outside the capital, the damage was severe. Lyon’s tourism office at Place Bellecour was vandalized and set ablaze during the Oct. 17 demonstrations, according to city officials. Visitor services have since been relocated to a temporary facility on the same square. In Limoges, the historic town hall was set ablaze during the Oct. 17 unrest, according to numerous reports. In Bordeaux, the mayor reported that as many as 100 stores had been looted during the demonstrations, reports said.
Despite the violence, flights to and from Paris have largely continued operating, according to flight data. However, travelers could still face disruptions on the ground, with the embassy advising Americans to check for Metro station closures and other transportation interruptions before heading out. The embassy also urged travelers to confirm flight schedules directly with their airlines and allow extra time to reach their destinations.
“Monitor media and local resources for updated information and curfews in your area,” the statement added. “Plan alternative routes and allow extra travel time for travel.”
The embassy’s warning marks an escalation in travel concerns as France grapples with its most serious wave of civil unrest in years, with localized curfews now in effect and the possibility of more to come.