"Postpone Nonessential Travel"... Some Countries Advise Against Visiting France

Malaysia Advises Travelers to “Postpone Travel”
U.S. Travel Industry Urges Visitors to “Exercise Caution”
More Than 1,500 Stores Damaged; Police Face Excessive-Force Allegations

Mass protests across France against the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services have escalated into violence, prompting some countries to advise their citizens to postpone travel to France. Some travelers are also reportedly canceling their trips over safety concerns.

A masked group vandalizes a store in Paris, France, on the 18th (local time), amid clashes between protesters and police. AP-Yonhap News.

According to Malaysia’s daily newspaper The Star on October 19, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on October 18, “There are no restrictions on travel to France, but we recommend considering postponing nonessential travel until the situation improves.” The advisory was issued out of concern for the safety of Malaysian citizens, as clashes between protesters and riot police spread across major French cities.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was closely monitoring the situation and that, so far, no Malaysian citizens were known to have been harmed or involved in the protests. The Malaysian Embassy in France urged Malaysians in the country to remain vigilant and pay attention to their surroundings.

The German government also advised its citizens to stay away from protest sites in France. In travel guidance updated on October 18, Germany’s Foreign Ministry warned, “Violent unrest took place across France on October 17,” and “the possibility of further protests and violence in the coming days cannot be ruled out.” It also urged people to follow instructions from local police and avoid protest sites as much as possible.

Travel professionals in the United States have also called on travelers to take precautions. According to WDSU, a New Orleans-based local television station, travel expert Laura Buisson urged travelers heading to Paris for the National Football League (NFL) game on October 25, 2026, to avoid protest sites and large crowds and stay alert to their surroundings.

French protesters stand holding placards bearing the face of French President Emmanuel Macron on the 17th. AP-Yonhap News Agency

According to France’s Interior Ministry, more than 550,000 people took to the streets on October 17 alone, taking part in about 110 protests. The General Confederation of Labour (CGT), a French labor union, estimated the number of participants at 800,000. The use of tear gas, water cannons, grenades and smoke bombs by police during efforts to disperse the protests also sparked accusations of excessive force. The protests began with calls to improve educational conditions and expanded to include concerns about prices and inequality, revealing France’s accumulated social discontent.

The protests also caused economic damage. An estimated 1,500 or more stores were damaged on October 17 alone. Twelve stores near Place de la République in central Paris were looted, and tourists were seen fleeing in alarm from streets filled with tear gas. In Bordeaux, a Louis Vuitton store was vandalized and bags were stolen. Various incidents of vandalism and looting were also shared on social media, including X, formerly Twitter.

Protest activity has now eased. The New York Times reported that protests by high school students are expected to subside somewhat as schools across France begin a two-week break. However, major French labor unions, including the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), have announced plans for large-scale nationwide protests on November 5, 2026.

On Reddit, the largest online community in the United States, some users also said they had canceled trips to France because of the protests. One traveler in their 40s said, “I canceled my trip to France with my 72-year-old mother. I don’t want to spend the whole trip feeling anxious. We plan to try again in the spring.” Another user said, “I’m scheduled to visit Paris from November 7 to 11, 2026,” adding that “a substantial portion of my travel expenses is nonrefundable.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.