British holidaymakers should have “no fear” visiting France this summer despite widespread violent riots that have gripped the western European nation for a week, its economy minister has said. Bruno Le Maire, 54, reassured British tourists that their safety is “guaranteed” as 72 people were arrested overnight nationwide, including 24 in and around the capital of Paris, from where the protests began last week.
In total, nearly 3,500 people have been arrested as a result of the violence, the majority of which are teenagers.
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Mr Le Maire said their “British friends” should be “happy to visit France” despite the violence.
He emphasised that France is a “safe country” and a “state of law”, adding that they hope to host King Charles III in the “coming months”.
He said: “We are waiting for the visit of Charles III. We are very impatient and we are delighted to be able to welcome him in the coming months.
“Believe me, he will be given a reception worthy of a King of England.”
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He added that calm has been restored in France in an attempt to dissuade holidaymakers from heeding recent foreign office travel warnings.
During the riots, the head of France’s top hospitality union warned of a “wave of booking cancellations”.
“France remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and we will do everything to ensure that it remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world by naturally guaranteeing the safety of all tourists on French soil,” he said.
Violence in the western European country does appear to be slowing down as France claimed the volume of unrest had halved in the last 24 hours.
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Seventy-two people were arrested overnight nationwide, including 24 in and around Paris, and 24 buildings torched or damaged.
A statement said 159 vehicles had been set ablaze, while 202 fires were reported in rubbish bins or elsewhere in public areas.
Four offices of police or gendarmes came under attack, but there were no injuries.
The riots have piled further pressure on Emmanuel Macron after months of unrest over his hated pension reforms, which led to violent clashes with police.
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