Thank you all for responding to our query concerning traveling to Paris with the Yellow Vest demonstrations continuing to occur. Our concern now is the possibility of major sites being closed during the first week of January 2019 due to ongoing Yellow Vest activities. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
Happy Holidays,
David/Ellie
Posted by
Chicago
7910 posts
Most tourist sites have a website listing hours open and closed or announcing a closing; before you go to one you can Google each one each day or ask your hotel/lodging host if something is closed
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks. Will do, but we are concerned that several may be closed when we arrive. Don't know if we should go or cancel all.
David
Posted by
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
2349 posts
On one trip the musee d'Orsay was closed due to strike. I was heartbroken. The Picasso museum was closed for renovations for two or three years and I missed going there during two trips. On my last one, the Carnavalet museum was closed for renovations. We took a boat ride but the water was too high and the top deck was closed.
Van Gogh painted three of "The Bedroom." The people who went to see the Paris or Amsterdam versions were disappointed one year when they were on loan elsewhere. But I was thrilled, because I got to see all three of them together in Chicago.
These things happen and there's nothing you can do. Go to Paris, and check websites frequently. Be flexible. A closed museum just means that you have to go back!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
784 posts
I was in Paris on December 8 when the "manifestations" took a violent turn. There was a plan for a march of yellow vests from La Bastille to the Arc du Triomphe and most, if not all, attractions along the route as well as around other gathering spots (Opera, Concorde, Eiffel Tower) were closed for the day. Bus routes were interrupted and some Metro Stations were closed, but the Metro was running as usual. This was all announced a day or so in advance (note, also, that so far all demonstrations have been limited to Saturdays). I had pre- booked two events for the 8th and both notified me by email that they were cancelling and offered either to reschedule or a full refund. The Left Bank (south of the Seine) was largely unaffected as most of the activity was on the Right Bank where I was staying. I went to Montmartre that day, as did a lot of other people, where it was business as usual. Northeastern Paris was also unaffected. It is fairly easy to avoid the areas where the "manifestations" are taking place - mostly Champs Elyses, Arc du Triomphe, Opera, Blvd Haussmann, La Madeleine, and La Concorde. If you are staying in a hotel, the staff should be able to advise you, and I found good current information on the English France24 news channel.
I was also in Paris the following Saturday, December 15, when the demonstrations were mostly non- violent. That day I went over to the Left Bank. I was in a taxi, returning to my hotel, when faced with a fairly small group of yellow vests marching toward us. They were chanting but peaceful and I did not feel threatened or in danger as we made our way through them.
There is a large police and military presence in Paris, and they have figured how how to control the demonstrators by barricading streets and keeping non-demonstrators out of the affected areas.
Do not cancel your trip. Go and enjoy.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2554 posts
As you are familiar with the gilet jaune demonstrations, you probably already know that they only occur on Saturdays. Last Saturday, very little in the city was effected and most museums were open. Only the area of the Champs Elysées continues to be a concern.
Le musée Carnavalet is closed until the end of 2019 for renovations.