France's picturesque squares, mediaeval streets, and cosy cafes have long been a favourite for tourists seeking to immerse themselves in its charm. However, recently people have encountered a different reality. A wave of unrest swept across the country after a 17-year-old teenager was shot dead by a police officer near Paris. The wave of violence also reached Lyon, a city that attracts over a million tourists annually.
"I have never been so scared in France before. I heard firecracker sounds resembling gunshots. I don't know exactly what it was. People were frightened, and so was I. I quickly descended into the subway,"
explains Katerina Koushe, a tourist from Greece.
Some travellers had to alter their vacation plans. Spencer White, a tourist from the United States, says,
"We had to leave Marseille earlier to avoid disruptions in railway services. We are now travelling from Lyon to Paris, but we are confident that the rest of our trip will go smoothly,"
Spencer adds.
Café and restaurant owners had expected good profits during the peak season. Now they are calculating their losses.
"Saturday was the worst night for our business in the past three years. We lost between 5,000 and 6,000 euros," explains Hugo Neyran.
His restaurant is located in Lyon's old town. During the peak season, Neyran's restaurant serves up to 600 people daily. However, the past week, according to him, has been different:
"No one on the streets. The atmosphere is like during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Despite this, the French Tourism Federation, ADN Tourisme, insists that the consequences of the unrest are beginning to diminish.
"I have talked to hotel managers in Marseille who experienced a slight decline in bookings over the weekends, but now the situation is stabilising. The violence mainly occurred in shops, not in tourist areas,"
explains François de Cançon, President of the French Tourism Federation.
However, de Cançon worries about the impression formed by tourists about France:
"We want to assure our European and foreign tourists that France is a welcoming country."
This is not the first wave of unrest in France in 2023. Mass protests against pension reform and strikes have taken place here before. Images of trash-strewn Parisian streets went viral on social media.
"We did not consider cancelling our trip,"
Bernice Rivera, a teacher from Puerto Rico, who arrived in France with a group of students, decided to continue their journey.
"We have been closely monitoring the situation but were not particularly afraid. However, some parents expressed concern,"
says Bernice. Despite the atmosphere of social tension in France, many tourists intend to stick to their summer vacation plans.
Carolina Haaplehto, a tourist from Finland, says,
"We did not consider cancelling our trip because, despite the unrest, France is currently a fairly safe place to travel."
Since the start of the unrest, over 3,600 people have been arrested across France. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the average age of those detained is 17. French courts are working overtime. Over 800 law enforcement personnel have been injured during the clashes.
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