Photos showing people casually sipping wine at Parisian cafes while fires from demonstrations burn in the background seem to encapsulate the impact of the unrest on tourism in France.
French tourism has been booming: International tourism revenue rose 9 percent in 2025, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, and France remains the world’s top destination for tourists.
However, the ongoing protests, launched by students seeking better school resources but later joined by other groups with a broad range of grievances against the government, have sparked concerns about visitors rethinking their plans to visit the country amid sporadic looting and rioting.
France’s National Federation of Institutional Tourism Organizations, or ADN Tourisme, issued a statement condemning the violence that, among other things, has resulted in fires at the Lyon tourist office and the Limoges Town Hall, as well as looting of luxury stores.
“The scenes of destruction and desolation that our country has witnessed are intolerable,” according to the Oct. 18 statement. “Shops ransacked, establishments vandalized, public buildings attacked, tourist sites and facilities damaged: these acts seriously undermine the safety of our citizens, the economic life of our territories and the image of France.”
What This Means for Tourism in France
The group cited “disruptions to travel, closures of establishments, visitor concerns, and the risk of canceled stays” as impacts of the demonstrations and rioting on the tourism sector.
In response to the crisis, the French government has imposed curfews in parts of several cities, including Paris, Nice and Lille. On Oct. 20, the Paris tourist offices said that the 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew remains in effect in the central section of the Place de la République and part of the Les Halles district.
The U.S. Embassy in Paris urged Americans to avoid demonstrations and areas with heavy police activity, exercise caution around large crowds, follow local authorities’ instructions, and monitor local news for changing conditions.
Most major tourist sites, however, have remained open throughout the protests, including the Eiffel Tower. While some Metro stops and regional rail (RER) stations in Paris have periodically closed, airports and most other transportation options are operating normally.
Further protests are planned into early November.
Stay tuned to this space for updates.
