France: G7 summit held in Biarritz August 24-26

Event

The G7 summit is due to take place in Biarritz between Saturday, August 24, and Monday, August 26. Local authorities have said that the city will be divided into two security zones (map here) from Friday, August 23, through Monday: the red zone and the blue zone. Vehicular access is prohibited in the red zone, and only residents or authorized personnel carrying valid identification will be allowed access on foot. Residents and authorized personnel will be allowed vehicular and pedestrian access to the blue zone upon valid identification, though some road closures will nevertheless be in place, including parts of the RD810, parts of the BAB, and avenues Marne and Reine Victoria from 08:00 (local time) on Saturday, through Monday at 23:59. Long distance buses will not stop in Biarritz, Bayonne, or Hendaye, and the train stations in Biarritz, Bayonne, Hendaye, Guéthary, and Boucau will be closed from Friday to Monday at 16:00. Biarritz Airport (BIQ) will also close to commercial flights from Friday through Monday. Police officials have announced controlled entry and exit points to the city, and reinforced security at the border checkpoints with Spain.

A heightened security presence is expected in Biarritz and the surrounding areas throughout the summit, as well as transportation and business disruptions. 

Advice

Individuals in or traveling to Biarritz are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate a heightened security presence and transportation disruptions near the summit venue, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.