Since 27 June, riots have occurred across France which have turned violent, leading to the destruction of property including vehicles, shops, police stations and schools. The riots broke out after Nahel Merzouk, a 17-year-old boy of Algerian descent, was shot dead by French police for allegedly not having a driver’s licence in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre. Demonstrations have since spread through Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Lille and as far as Belgium.

Smartraveller has updated its advice levels for travelling to France from Level 1 to Level 2, which is ‘Exercise a high degree of caution.’ Smartraveller says, “Clashes with police have occurred, resulting in the use of tear gas and arrests. Be particularly vigilant at night and avoid all demonstrations and areas with significant police activity. Curfews have been introduced in some cities. Public transport may be restricted or cancelled. The situation may change at short notice. Monitor the media and official sources for updates.

According to Smartraveller, “At level 2, there are more or higher risks than what you would typically find in a large Australian city. We’re not saying ‘don’t go’ to this location. But you should do your research and take extra precautions. The level may reflect a weak law-and-order system, where violent crime is common. The destination may lack some key public services, such as a responsive police force. In some cases, there may be a risk that the security environment could change with little warning. This level may also reflect a passing event, such as political unrest or a short-term increase in a location’s domestic terrorism level.”

Most of the central area of Paris, that tourists are most likely to visit and include attractions like the Lourve Art Museum and Eiffel tower have been mostly unaffected. Escape digital editor, Rowen Ryan, recently returned from Paris and was unaffected by the riots. “It’s been seven years since I was last in Paris and after recently spending four days there I can confirm the city has lost none of its magic,” she says. “We walked the streets of Le Marais, ate steak tartare in the trendy Pigalle restaurants and cycled along the Seine passing Notre Dame, the Musee D’Orsay and picnicked in the Jardin des Tuileres with cheese and rose. Every arrondissement has its own unique character and while we made sure to be street smart we never felt unsafe or saw any unrest. It still remains the world’s most romantic city in my eyes.” While it is unclear how long the protests will continue and what further measure the French government will adopt to try tackle them, it is advised to monitor the news before visiting an area in France to ensure it is stable and safe to visit.