Tourists face chaos in Paris

Many tourists in Paris over the weekend reported chaotic experiences, with images of fires, looted stores, and clashes during demonstrations against the high cost of living crossing national borders.

Foreign governments issue warnings

Several countries have warned their citizens in France to avoid large gatherings, with Italy urging extreme caution and advising registration on an app, while Germany noted that other demonstrations and potential clashes cannot be ruled out. U.S. President Donald Trump, campaigning for the midterms, wrote that "France is burning," and Beijing has urged its citizens to remain vigilant against risks.

Tourism sector expresses concern

Tourism professionals are concerned about the potential departure of foreign visitors following the looting incidents, though these concerns have not yet led to a generalized decrease in visitor numbers, provided the violence stops. ADN Tourism, along with other organizations, warned that tourism "cannot become the collateral victim of violence that must be urgently stopped."

Hotel industry voices frustration

Franck Chaumès, the federal president of the Union of Hotel and Catering Trades, stated that "Our establishments are not outlets for frustration. Our professionals cannot be, demonstration after demonstration, those paying the price for the violence."

Demonstrations affect bookings

The fear of a repeat of the "yellow vests" protests is a concern, as the latest demonstrations have had an impact on last-minute bookings, especially in Marseille. In Paris, which had been driven by a "very strong dynamic" with events such as Celine Dion concerts, the pope's visit, Fashion Week, and the Mondial de l'Auto, the overall advance of hotels compared to 2025 has decreased.

Booking trends show slowdown

The share of rooms already booked for stays between late October and late November went from +1.0 to +0.2 points, with the most upscale Parisian accommodations slowing down the most. The clientele is described as cautious in the face of new demonstrations, with an "Act II" scheduled for Saturday.

Past protests impacted tourism

In 2018, the violence at the margins of the "yellow vests" mobilizations affected hotel occupancy in December, particularly in Paris (-5.3%), according to Insee. MKG measured, over four days, 20,000 to 25,000 fewer overnight stays booked for December in Parisian hotels, then about 35,000 a week later.

Tourism still sets records

However, for the year, the occupancy of tourist accommodations had set "a new record" with 438 million overnight stays, according to Insee. The fears of the tourism sector and the Senate about the decline in occupancy of these accommodations by foreign visitors during the 2019 season were partly confirmed (-1.1%), especially in Île-de-France. However, overall occupancy for the year increased by 1.3%, driven by local tourists.