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Beware of sudden protests in central Paris which could turn violent, Britons heading to France warned

A demonstrator holds a poster mocking French President Emmanuel Macron next to burning garbage cans during a demonstration on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Paris (AP)
A demonstrator holds a poster mocking French President Emmanuel Macron next to burning garbage cans during a demonstration on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Paris (AP)

Britons travelling to France were warned on Wednesday of the risk of sudden protests in central Paris which could turn violent.

France has been rocked by protests after President Emmanuel Macron controversially pushed through an increase in the pension age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote.

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for people heading across the Channel.

It said: “Since mid-March there have been spontaneous protests in central Paris and elsewhere in France.

“Protests are likely to take place and could occur with little notice. Some protests have turned violent. The protests may lead to disruptions to road travel.”

The guidance also highlighted ongoing strike action “affecting multiple sectors” including transport networks.

“Coordinated strike action and large-scale demonstrations are next planned for Thursday 6 April,” it added.

“Industrial action may start the evening before the strike day and run for several days.

“You should monitor the media, check the latest advice with operators before travelling, avoid demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.”

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Fresh demonstrations on Tuesday in Paris saw dozens of arrests and flare-ups of violence, although significantly fewer people participated in the action nationwide than in recent weeks.

While the protests were largely peaceful, some activists clashed with police.

In Paris, police fired teargas and launched a charge after some masked protesters looted a supermarket and then started a fire.

At least 22 people were arrested in the capital by the afternoon, Paris police said.

In Nantes, protesters threw projectiles at security forces, while bank branch was set on fire and rubbish bins were set alight near a court building.

However, the French interior ministry estimated the numbers of protesters nationwide at 740,000, down from more than one million five days ago.

Striking sanitation workers in Paris were also set to resume duties after the CGT union said its three-week-long strike was over on Wednesday.

The strike opposing Mr Macron’s pension reforms had left rubbish mounds of up to 10,000 tonnes on the French capital's streets, said to be equal to the weight of the Eiffel Tower.