‘Stay alert’: Indian embassy issues travel advisory for France amid violent protests and curfews | What we know | Today’s news
The Indian Embassy in France on Wednesday issued a travel and security advisory for Indian nationals residing in or traveling to the country, urging them to remain vigilant amid violent clashes linked to protests against the rising cost of living.
The embassy warned Indians against visiting crowded areas and places that witnessed demonstrations, warning that the civil unrest had led to local curfews and could disrupt road travel and public transport.
The warning comes ahead of the next round of demonstrations planned for Saturday, October 24, after riots in France on October 17 caused widespread damage and led to thousands of arrests.
What did the Indian Embassy recommend?
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
The embassy advised Indian nationals to avoid crowded areas and demonstrations, remain vigilant, follow the instructions of French authorities and follow local news and official updates.
The demonstrations began over concerns about poor school conditions and teacher shortages, then spread over rising living costs, high fuel prices, proposed public sector budget cuts and dissatisfaction with the government.
Yes. The embassy warned that localized curfews and civil unrest could affect road travel and public transport. Travelers should check for traffic updates and contact their airline or travel agent about schedule changes.
Passengers can follow updates from the French government, check public transport services via RATP and contact their airline or travel agent. The Indian Embassy in Paris and the Consulate General in Marseille have also shared emergency contact details.
French authorities announced targeted curfews in some cities after the riots on 17 October. The government also said it would deploy military personnel from Operation Sentinelle to support security operations during the demonstrations planned for October 24.
In a statement posted on the X social media platform, the Indian embassy urged citizens to exercise caution, avoid large gatherings and follow the guidelines issued by local French authorities.
He also advised travelers to follow local news, follow official government updates and check for public transport disruptions.
“Those planning travel to or within France are advised to stay in direct contact with their airlines or travel agents for real-time schedule changes,” the embassy said.
The embassy also shared emergency contact details for Indian nationals in need of assistance.
Email: cons.paris@mea.gov.in
Consulate General of India, Marseille
Email: cgo.marseille@mea.gov.in
Indian nationals have been advised to follow updates from the French government at gouvernement.fr and check public transport services through RATP.
Why are protests spreading in France?
The unrest began in late September 2026, initially due to concerns over poor school conditions and teacher shortages.
The movement subsequently expanded into nationwide anti-government demonstrations, fueled by the rising cost of living, high fuel prices, proposed cuts to the public sector budget and wider dissatisfaction with President Emmanuel Macron’s administration.
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While many of the demonstrations were peaceful, violence and unrest erupted on their fringes, prompting authorities to impose security measures in several areas.
The protests are part of a wider wave of unrest across Europe, where rising living costs, housing shortages and pressure on public services have fueled demonstrations in countries including France, Spain and Albania.
Macron vows to prevent further violence
French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to use all available legal measures to prevent a recurrence of violence during the next round of demonstrations on October 24, Xinhua reported.
Macron told reporters during a visit to Qatar on Wednesday that the government was determined to prevent scenes of violence from recurring, French broadcaster BFM TV reported.
Responding to calls from some politicians to declare a state of emergency, Macron said such a measure was not necessary at this stage, although it could be considered later if circumstances required it.
French authorities imposed targeted curfews in several cities following the October 17 riots. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday that the measures had helped maintain calm overnight on Monday.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the government would deploy troops from the military’s Sentinelle operation to help prevent violence during Saturday’s demonstrations.
Read also | Protests in Italy: Indian nationals in Italy have been advised to avoid crowded areas
The Indian Embassy in Italy is also issuing a caution
The warning follows a similar warning from the Indian embassy in Rome, which urged Indian nationals in Italy to remain cautious and avoid crowded areas amid demonstrations over the rising cost of living.
