French hospitality sector seeks government support

The Union des métiers et des industries de l'hôtellerie (Umih), the leading employer group in France’s hospitality and restaurant industries, has asked the government to ensure safety and help businesses reopen after recent protests caused damage and looting. The protests, which occurred over the weekend, targeted businesses in response to rising living costs, leaving many establishments in disarray.

Umih president stresses need for security and compensation

Franck Chaumès, the new president of the Umih, said in a press conference that hospitality workers should not bear the cost of violent protests. He emphasized that while peaceful demonstrations are a right, no one should justify breaking or looting. The Umih is calling for stronger security and compensation for damages, as some businesses did not include "riot/riots" in their insurance policies.

Insurance gaps and government measures

Insurance companies typically do not cover damage from riots unless a specific option is added. The government introduced a "riot guarantee" in 2026 to shift responsibility from the state to insurers, but the necessary regulations have not yet been finalized. The Umih reports that between 300 and 400 cafes, hotels, and restaurants were affected, with around 3,000 businesses looted over the weekend.

Government announces support for affected businesses

On Tuesday, the government announced several measures to help affected businesses, including partial unemployment for employees, loans of up to 50,000 euros from Bpifrance, and financial aid based on lost revenue for smaller businesses. These steps aim to provide immediate relief to those forced to close due to the protests.

Concerns over self-defense and public order

Chaumès warned that some merchants are considering self-defense measures, citing a case where a restaurant owner hired ten people armed with baseball bats. This aligns with comments from Alexandre Bompard, CEO of Carrefour, who urged authorities to uphold public order and address the frustration of merchants who feel unprotected by the state.

Umih calls for long-term strategies to restore public confidence

The Umih also wants to prepare for the future by launching communication campaigns to encourage people to return to city centers and improve France’s international image. The group believes that restoring public confidence is essential to reviving the hospitality sector after the recent unrest.