Canada advises travellers to avoid demonstrations amid unrest and rioting in France

Canada is urging travellers in France to avoid demonstrations as unrest continues in several cities, causing disruptions to public services and transportation, along with incidents of vandalism, looting, arson and violent clashes between protesters and police. Canadian travel advice warns that security forces have used tear gas to disperse crowds and that local curfews are in effect in some municipalities. Travellers are advised to check with local authorities for curfew information, monitor local media, follow official instructions and be prepared to change their travel plans. Officials also caution that even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent without warning. The unrest has been linked to a combination of rising living costs, declining public services and student anger over school conditions, which has expanded into a broader anti-government movement. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said targeted curfews had helped maintain calm in some areas, while additional restrictions would be introduced wherever necessary. He thanked police officers, gendarmes and local officials for their efforts to enforce the measures. Lecornu stressed that peaceful demonstrations are a legitimate part of French democracy but condemned arson, looting and attacks on people and property. He also accused far-left groups of organizing violence in several cities, while saying others had taken advantage of the disorder to loot and destroy property. The prime minister defended law enforcement officers facing violent confrontations and said authorities would work to prevent further violence, protect residents and property, arrest those responsible and bring them before the courts. He also pledged to continue debate on a proposed bill that would require those responsible for property damage to pay for the resulting costs, arguing that public funds should support essential services rather than repeatedly cover the damage caused by vandalism.