The riots have seen buildings and cars set alight, bus stops destroyed, shops looted and police officers attacked with fireworks.
For the latest news on the Paris riots and shooting, follow Metro.co.uk’s live blog here
Demonstrations broke out on Tuesday, June 27, after a 17-year-old boy named only as Nahel M was shot dead during a traffic stop in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre.
His devastated mother Mounia has said: ‘I lost a 17-year-old, I was alone with him and they took my baby away from me. He was still a child, he needed his mother.’
The police officer who killed the boy was detained and has now been charged with voluntary homicide.
As French president Emmanuel Macron and other authorities attempt to calm the situation, where exactly are the riots occurring – and how safe is it in Paris right now?
Where are the riots in Paris and further afield in France?
The riots began on Tuesday night in Nanterre, a town in the western suburb of Paris – located some 6.8 miles away from the centre.
Demonstrations continued on the night of Wednesday, June 28, with a town hall in nearby L’ile Saint Denis – another suburb around 5.8 miles from the centre of Paris, which will serve as the Olympic village at the 2024 games – being damaged by fire.
Since then, rioting and unrest has spread to other parts of France.
Incidents have been reported in the centre of Paris itself, with the Rue de Rivoli (one of the main shopping streets close to the Champs Elysees and the Louvre) being ransacked – and a Nike store at Westfield Forum des Halles in the centre of town being targeted by looters.
There has been widespread looting in cities as far as Marseille and Nantes, and violence has broken out in Lille in the north.
A supermarket was set on fire in Roubaix, a city in the Lille metropolitan area near the Belgian border.
Local media has also reported that the unrest has spread to Brussels, which is the capital of neighbouring Belgium – with 100 arrests on Friday night.
Smaller groups in Brussels appear to have joined French protesters in demonstrating against the police shooting of 17-year-old Nahel M.
Is it safe to go to Paris?
Amid the unrest, many will be wondering if it is currently safe to travel to or visit Paris.
The current Foreign Office travel advice says: Since 27 June, riots have taken place across France. Many have turned violent. Shops, public buildings and parked cars have been targeted.
‘There may be disruptions to road travel and local transport provision may be reduced.
‘Some local authorities may impose curfews. Locations and timing of riots are unpredictable. You should monitor the media, avoid areas where riots are taking place, check the latest advice with operators when travelling and follow the advice of the authorities.’
It does not, however, advise against all but essential travel to France at this time.
Initially, most of the city – including the centre – was unaffected by the riots.
But with the unrest having spread to other parts of the city and other parts of France overnight, the situation is looking less clear.
If you do have a trip to Paris or another part of France planned in the very near future, it would be wise to check the up-to-date Foreign Office advice before travelling.
The current situation is fast moving and measures to stop the unrest – such as a state of emergency, curfews, stopping public transport services earlier than usual or the banning of public events – could be implemented at any time.
Should you still decide to travel, you should make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance in place before you go.
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