A total of 13,000 officers have been deployed to the sunny resort, while parts of the area were shut down for safety concerns. Surfers and holidaygoers were told to leave the central beach, with the resort’s train station and airport closed ahead of the historic meeting. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said: “The aim is to have maximum security with a minimum of disruption. We will not tolerate any unrest. If it happens, we will respond.”
But the lockdown has been a major blow to the town’s tourist trade as parts historic visitor destinations were forced to close.
Business owners have been issued special badges to enter the restricted zone and are only allowed to enter their premises instead of wandering free.
Increased security comes amid fears the G7 summit could be a key target for yellow vest protests and anti-establishment groups.
A string of global campaigners have met with French nationalists to jointly campaign against the cynicism of world leaders.
Some international groups claimed to have built bridges with yellow vest campaigners, with a French protester claiming there has been a convergence of battles.
Protest groups have promised civil disobedience, while an authorised demonstration will take place 20 miles from the luxury hotel where the leaders will gather.
Activist movements have met at a counter G7 meeting on the border between France and Spain to confront the growing class divide.
Sebastian Bailleul, spokesman for the Alternative G7 summit claimed it would have been a failure if the yellow vest protestors weren’t present while he saw no issue with different activists collaborating.
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Amnesty International’s France Researcher, Maco Perolini, said: “The hasty erection of pre-fabricated cells in front of the court in Bayonne and the arrival of dozens of additional prosecutors and judges, are a signal of intent that could lead to indiscriminate mass arrests and fast-track convictions.”
The security measures come after a spate of yellow vest attacks across the nation, where protesters have campaigned against rising fuel prices and the high cost of living.
The group has also fought passionately for the resignation of current leader Emmanuel Macron, preferring far-left or far-right candidates.
Riots began in November last year, but have increased to weekly spates of violence which has left French police unable to control the unrest.
Police have been seen using excessive force on protesters, throwing grenades at individuals and hitting them with batons.
But despite the risk of violent outbreaks, French officials are keen to keep the agenda on the historic meeting between the seven nations.
Tackling inequalities and climate change will be key themes at this year’s meeting, which will be Boris Johnson’s first as UK Prime Minister.
The new leader has vowed that Britain will not wander from the international community even when the nation leaves the European Union on October 31.
Mr Johnson claimed Britain will be an energetic partner on the world stage to help solve the most pressing international issues.
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