Warning to Aussie travellers amid France riots

'The situation may change at short notice.'

Updated July 3 2023 - 11:32am, first published 10:45am

Aussie travellers in Europe are warned to "exercise a high degree of caution" in France amid a week of violent riots.

Smartraveller updated its travel advice in response to the unrest sparked by the June 27 shooting of a teenager by police during a traffic stop in Paris.

The Australian government site said clashes with police and violent riots across France had lead to the destruction of vehicles, shops, police stations and schools.

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"Be particularly vigilant at night and avoid all demonstrations and areas with significant police activity."

Curfews have been introduced in some cities and travellers are urged to stay updated as "the situation may change at short notice".

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There have been five days of riots and looting in France after the death of 17-year-old Nahel with more than 45,000 police officers deployed in response.

The boy's grandmother Nadia told French media BFM TV the family wanted the riots to end.

Police patrol in front of Paris landmark the Arc de Triomphe on July 1 during another night of rioting and looting in France. Picture by AP Photo/Christophe Ena

"Nahel is dead. My daughter is lost ... she doesn't have a life anymore," Nadia said.

"Don't destroy the schools, don't destroy the buses ... I'm telling them (the rioters) to stop."

Hundreds of people have been arrested each night during the protests which have spread to cities outside Paris including Marseille, Nice and Strasbourg.

The wife of a Paris suburb mayor suffered a broken leg after their home was ram-raided and targeted with fireworks while she and their two young children were asleep inside.

With Australian Associated Press.