We will be traveling to Paris and throughout France in the beginning of May. We are wondering if there have been any disruptions from protests or riots that we need to be aware of while traveling?
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
59 posts
From what I have read, any disruptions are easy to avoid. Most if not all demonstrations have ceased. I would not worry about any riots or demonstrations and worry more about all the weight you can gain from the wonderful food and wine. Seriously, enjoy this trip you two. Here's to many more travel adventures in your retirement. (T & K)
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, United States
149 posts
We are in Paris at this time. May 1st is Labour Day and traditionally a day of demonstrations. But because of the most recent retirement change, today will have a major demonstration with all unions coming together. That hasn't happened since 2009. Protest is expected from 2-7 in the 11th Arrondissement (where we are staying!). But there will be 12,000 police and although some metro lines are closed, we are still comfortable how everything is being handled - all planned!
We will try to find out about future demonstrations and will attempt to keep this thread updated.
My point, as has been mentioned on numerous posts and from what we have heard here, although there may be disruptions for travel, the situation is manageable, planned and you should be able to avoid areas of demonstrations.
Posted by
Mashpee, MA
60 posts
Thank you for this!
Posted by
31 posts
Marna----what did you experience with the protests May 1 and today, May 2?
Posted by
Chicago
8551 posts
We steered clear of the labor day parade this year -- we have been to several and enjoyed the spectacle, but last year we got caught up in the tear gas used on the black block and decided this was the year to give it a pass.
Our only issues have been having our metro trip derailed a couple of times. We were late for dinner with friends because a manifestation shut down our metro line around Gare du Nord and so we got off at Chatelet and did a work around. Today we were at the Tuilleries enjoying the beautiful day and tried to get on the 7 at the Louvre -- the 7 and 1 station was shut down due to Manifestations somewhere and so we found a bus which took us to Bastille where we caught the metro 5 back to Place d'Italie near where we are staying. So inconvenience, but other than that no issues.
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, United States
149 posts
On May 1st we watched live TV from our apartment which was about 2000 meters from the end of the demonstrations and where there was violence. Nothing impacted us close to home. It was clear, with research which metro stops were shut down and we did take the metro (from Bastille) and had no issues. I didn't see anything happening on May 2nd.
In looking towards the future, this is what I just found: The struggle continues: the eight trade union organizations have again called for a new day of strikes and interprofessional demonstrations, scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
This would appear to include all major unions, as it did on May 1st. It appears until then, we are good to go! But truly, I believe any demonstration is manageable, from what I have seen and researched. Wishing everyone the best.
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, United States
149 posts
I saw this the last few days here in Paris on SortisaParis:
The latest, the May 1 demonstration, brought together 2.3 million people throughout the country, according to the unions. The struggle continues: the eight trade union organizations have again called for a new day of strikes and interprofessional demonstrations, scheduled for Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
SO - we are here month of May and we aren't expecting strikes! Fingers crossed!