‘Parisians out!’ Why the French have had enough of French tourists

This summer, the population of certain villages and towns in Brittany has tripled, overwhelming local infrastructure and leading to growing resentment among residents. The phenomenon, dubbed "Parisians Out!" in some areas, has sparked anger and even vandalism.

In the Bigouden area, specifically in southern Finistère, residents have begun painting and scratching messages on cars, believing that many visitors to their villages are Parisian tourists. The mayor of Plogoff, for example, supported the sentiment, stating that local peace and quiet could not be defended while welcoming large numbers of tourists.

However, this sentiment did not quell the unrest. In Plobannalec-Lesconil, cars with Paris number plates were vandalized, and a wall was graffitied with a message calling for tourists to leave. Ironically, the targeted cars belonged to local people who had relocated to Paris.

Despite tourism being vital to the region's economy, the influx has strained local resources. Finistère's population swells to three times its usual size in July and August, exacerbating the situation during already challenging summer conditions, including heatwaves and wildfires.

The anger extends beyond Brittany, with people in the Île de Ré and Corsica distributing "Parisians go home" leaflets and threatening second homeowners. The language used, however, has been widely condemned as unacceptable. Ultimately, the story highlights the delicate balance between accommodating tourism and respecting local residents' rights and quality of life.