I pumped the brakes while descending steep cobblestoned streets, weaving through shoppers, and passing others sampling Corsican beer.

Last month two villagers and three men of North African origin were hurt in a brawl on a beach in the Corsican village of Sisco.

However, town hall authorities in Nice and Frejus, as well as in the Corsican village of Sisco, have vowed to keep the bans in place.