Europe

Biarritz resembles post-apocalyptic ‘warzone’ as G7 leaders arrive

24/08/2019

By Marion Candau
Aug 23, 2019

The G7 summit in Biarritz this weekend has put the entire French Basque coast under lockdown and unprecedented security measures. Locals are losing business and tourists are no longer able to enjoy a relaxing summer vacation. EURACTIV France reports.

Since Thursday (22 August), Biarritz and other cities on the French Basque coast have looked like a scene out of a post-apocalyptic movie. In the security perimeters around the Hôtel du Palais, where the seven heads of state will meet for the G7 summit, no living soul is to be seen.

Two zones, one red and one blue, have been placed under security and can only be accessed with authorisation and a special badge.

Local inhabitants and merchants are not pleased with this state of affairs, while EURACTIV’s own correspondent has faced difficulties accessing the city.

“I left Biarritz for a few days because it was going to be unbearable. The whole city centre is bunkered. The police are everywhere, and there will be demonstrations, clashes, break-ins, maybe injuries, and I didn’t want to see that,” explained Stéphanie, who lives in the red zone.