France travel advice

During the weekend of 20 and 21 December there were 2 separate, unrelated incidents in Tours and Dijon where a total of 13 people were injured.

Attacks could be indiscriminate. Due to ongoing threats to France by Islamist groups, and recent French military intervention against ISIL, the French government has warned the public to be extra vigilant and reinforced its own domestic and overseas security measures. Previous incidents, attributed to Islamist extremists, have included the shooting of 3 soldiers and 4 civilians in Toulouse, and a knife attack on a soldier near Paris.

There have been a number of explosions, failed explosions and other attacks in Corsica. Government buildings, restaurants, police vehicles, bars, a discotheque and holiday homes have been targeted. The authorities believe the Corsican nationalist group the FLNC are responsible, and have warned that attacks could escalate.

There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against western interests and western nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time.