France

Problem: Violent protests continue to hit major French cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Nice, Bordeaux, and Limoges, with property damage, looting, mass arrests, transit closures, and overnight curfews in several cities.

Why it matters: Marches that began over poor school conditions have grown into a wider protest over the cost of living and fuel prices, with more than 500,000 demonstrators and 2,500+ arrests; masked groups have clashed with police, looted storefronts, and set fire to public buildings, and authorities responded with tear gas, water cannons, and curfews.

Advice: Avoid shopping districts, government buildings, and major plazas, check local curfew times and be indoors before they start, and do not rely on surface transit or central Metro stations, as police close transit hubs near protest hotspots without warning.