First Paris Métro Closure for the Olympics Starts Tomorrow, May 17

I have to feel for Paris residents.

I wonder why they’re starting Metro closures so early?

Priscilla, we were there mid-April. Place de la Concorde was already blocked off and set up with venue seating, so at some point the metro has to close because it's all in the same area. Crowd control.

KD is right -- because they are building these massive temporary stadia in highly trafficked spaces, they get to a point where the building site takes over the normal use of the space. It is pretty wild looking at spots like Trocadéro, Invalides, Champ de Mars, and Concorde. It's all due to the French decision not to build a bunch of white elephant facilities that will be left standing for decades. Instead they are building these temporary facilities in the heart of the city.

Thanks for keeping us updated, Kim!! Much appreciated.

there is also a lot of work being done on the metro and so there are short closures here and there. the end of line 7 was down when we were there for track works. Last fall Line 14 'our line' for that trip was down for two weeks and I noticed it will be again. So a lot of infrastructure work happening as well as Olympic closures like those for Concord. I have a friend who works at the Embassy and I feel for people working in the area who have to deal with this daily.

Oh yes -- I am not even talking about the regular intermittent closures for repairs / construction !!

Thanks for letting us know, Kim. Your knowledge of what is happening in Paris is invaluable to those who will be traveling there this year. I feel sorry for first timers to the city who will have no idea what it really looks like.