Just to be clear - I know Brext and terror attacks a completely different but the consequences of both have been mentioned by friends and colleagues for reasons not to holiday in France - I was simply stating my experiences over the last few weeks in France to try and allay anyone's fears regarding either.
To reiterate we were made to feel extremely welcome and also felt as safe as I always have in France.
------------- It's only an expensive hobby when it's parked on your Drive....use it, love it , live it.
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We live in France (Champagne-Ardennes) and I haven't seen anything different since the state of emergency was declared. True we live out in the sticks but visits to larger towns in the region the same. A recent security warning about the UK situation (MPS Commissioner) suggests it's six of one and half a dozen of the other no matter where you are.
Id rather go to France than anywhere else to be honest. This is our first summer since 2008 that we are not going as we sold our caravan back in Feb and I really wish we were going. Our friends are there and visited Paris, now in the Dordogne then off to Vendee, the weather is perfect and no issues with ferries (Newhaven to Dieppe). We flew at Easter and I wasn't keen, we are going on a cruise in 3wks round the Med and I'm not just saying it but I would rather go to France, even with all these issues it would never put me off going. If I could cancel it and get a refund I would, then Id be booking a ferry to France and going!
We have ordered another caravan btw ready for next year!
Enjoy x
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My Husband was very unsure about going thus year too. We are having a fabulous time and already planning next year's visit. We went visit the Tunnel and it was so fast and easy on both sides. Yes they are checking but not in an intimidating way at all. Please don't let it put you off. We nearly didn't go and my husband regrets wasting time worrying now.
Jo
SoupDragon is right, there were army chaps everywhere when we visited carcasonne.
At Mont Saint Michel there were a significant number of army trucks driving about with 4 very well armed personnel inside each one. Initially, seeing so many soilders and police all with semi autimatics and pistols frightened the hell out of me, but then I realised their numbers meant that I'd probably never been so safe and was more likely to get hurt getting tripped up by a dog.
We had no problems leaving the UK or re-entering via the tunnel.
------------- Doing whatever the rice krispies tell me to.
We had no issues in the Dordogne, and both to and from, both times staying in a B&B on the outskirts of Rouen,
There was, however, a very visible military presence out and about. We saw groups of soldiers with automatic rifles on patrol in Sarlat on market day, and wandering around in La Roque Gageac and Beynac. We found it reassuring, it was clearly not standard procedure, judging by the reactions of locals, who were all gawping as much as the tourists!
It's funny how perception does not stand up to scrutiny. The presence of armed military on the streets is not going to prevent a suicidal terrorist attack, in fact it may even encourage one. Also it will cause more flying bullets & more deaths if any incident does take place.
The French are very good at looking impressive after the event by putting heavily armed & armoured militia on the streets but their intelligence gathering ability to prevent it happening in the first place is far behind where the UK is now.