Tourists are now being urged not to travel to an area near Bordeaux as wildfires rage across the region.
Firefighters have been battling to contain a wildfire in the Gironde region, 20 kilometres from Bordeaux, since Saturday.
Sophie Brocas, the prefect of the Gironde department, said: “I urge tourists not to come to this region, at least until the situation is under control.”
“I encourage tourists who are already here to consider another destination,” she added, after around 220,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes in south-west France.
Although Bordeaux airport is still operational for arrivals, its hotel zone has been evacuated until further notice.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has warned tourists in affected areas planning to travel to southwest France to follow instructions and updates from local authorities and emergency services at all times and call 112 in emergencies.
Holidaymakers are also told to “check with your accommodation or travel provider before travelling”.
Transport minister Philippe Tabarot has introduced a flexible cancellation policy without charge for SNCF rail services to the area until 31 July given the “ongoing and devastating fires in Gironde”.
The blaze near Bordeaux has caused a “pyrocumulonimbus” – a giant fire thunderstorm fuelled by its own winds and lightning.
Mayor of Bordeaux Thomas Cazenave said: “Smoke from fires can be present in episodes across the Metropole. To protect yourself, follow the recommendations of health authorities: limit outings when smoke is heavy, avoid outdoor physical activities, and keep windows closed.”
Some 115,000 hectares (284,000 acres) have burned in wildfires in France so far this year, interior minister Laurent Nunez told French media on Sunday.
On Saturday, Éléonore Caroit, the minister for international partnerships, said that although France was facing an “exceptionally intense” fire season, tourists should visit as long as they remain well-informed.
Ms Caroit told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “You have entire areas that are fine; you’re seeing similar phenomena in Spain and other countries. I’m in Paris, and nothing is happening, and most other regions are OK, so do please come to France and do not cancel your travel plans.”
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