Riots in Paris….

You're going to be fine.

Do you plan on traveling to Nanterre?

Of course Nanterre is not on our list but the situation could escalate. Check about 2005 Riots in France for a similar situation.

We have cancel our last year trip but it was for something totally different. .

If this unfortunate incident had occurred next week instead of last night you would already be there and you would need to manage somehow. The high profile tourist areas are not in Nanterre. Carry on and stay aware via legitimate sources.

It’s impossible to predict what will be happening in Paris next week. That’s true at ANY time. However, it’s a huge city so the chances of any riots directly impacting on your trip are small. Please stop worrying.

A recent updated travel advisory from the Government of Canada for a certain friendly, neighbouring country:
https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states

Gun violence The rate of firearm possession in the US is high. It’s
legal in many states for US citizens to openly carry firearms in
public.

Incidences of mass shootings occur, resulting most often in
casualties. Although tourists are rarely involved, there is a risk of
being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Familiarize yourself on how to respond to an active shooter situation.

Active Shooter Event Quick Reference Guide - Cybersecurity and
Infrastructure Security Agency https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/active-shooter-event-quick-reference-guide

I understand that Australia and New Zealand to name two others also have this type of warning on their government travel advisories. I'm not pointing this out to trash on my neighbours, but to point out that even places we are familiar with have certain risks.

Hi, just spent the day in Paris with my son. We visited Les Invalides and walked around Monteparnade and had dinner in Butte aux Cailles. We did not hear/see/feel anything dangerous.

So unless, as mentioned, you are going to Nanterre dont worry about it.

I’ve been in Paris since Saturday and nothing is going on. I’ve actually forgot about all the news about riots in Paris back in the spring. The crowds are huge, especially at the major sights but that’s to be expected.

Bus and tram services in Paris and the wider region will stop at 21:00 tonight.
This was in a BBC article.

We were in Paris for a month in May. We were in the 11th Arrondisement for the May 1st demonstrations. We were fully informed of the starting point and route and ending point of the demonstrations which were relatively near us (we stayed near the Bastille). We were inside most of the day, and watched the protests on TV. They had large police presence and did turn violent not only in Paris, but other locations as well. BUT we felt totally safe. As others said before we left for France, you would clearly know where demonstrations would be and just avoid the area. We never felt unsafe. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

We live in Portland Oregon which, as you may recall, had some similar incidents happening back in 2020. We live in Portland proper (but not downtown), and had we not attended some of the marches in solidarity with the cause at hand, our lives would've gone on as usual, uninterrupted. We are currently in Lyon and are driving to Paris tomorrow where we will stay in the 8th. We have no concerns at all. That’s my .02

To quell the situation in the different places and cities where rioting has taken place, a curfew of 9pm has been set through Monday night in those areas. Publis transportation to the suburbs will stop at that time. The officer who shot the 17 year-end has been charged.

Unfortunately there were some storefronts near Châtelet/ Les Halles that were destroyed last night. That area always seems to get hit by les voyous - who most likely were there not for the cause but to cause chaos.

The city was quiet when I came back home at 9.30 PM yesterday, but trouble started later at night in specific areas (Châtelet and around train stations).
It is light until 10 PM currently, and I still wouldn't worry about running into trouble in the daytime.
If you're still at that Airbnb near Porte Saint Martin, I would perhaps avoid the nearby place de la République if you see hints of a gathering, but otherwise, I would proceed with the trip. Personally, I live here and I haven't made escape plans.

Things are definitely heating up. Buses and tramways will end their service ar 21h00 tonight- but the métros are still going - for now. There's talks of curfew. Mylène Farmer's 2 concerts at the Stade de France have been cancelled this weekend and I just heard the Eiffel Tower is closing as well.

Just a small clarification on Alexander's good information -- buses and tramways have to be back in their depots by 9 pm, so they will start wrapping up service earlier than that in order to meet that directive.

(Or wherever trams go to sleep for the night)

For example, I am leaving Concorde station now (a few minutes before 8 pm), and the screens showing service tikes for the five buses that stop here (in two different directions, so ten different bus "lines") all currently read "Service terminé" (i.e. service finished for the evening)

Actually, transportation has been stopped in many cities to be sure it DOESN'T heat up. Our buses and trams headed back to the barn starting at 6:30. This will be the case every evening until Monday. Consequently, shows are being cancelled all over the country. Further, it was announced that most of the nearly 1,000 arrested yesterday were 14-18 year olds. They film, share on social media and try to outdo each other. The government is working with the platforms to identify the uploads.

The areas affected by the rioting are mainly where these kids live. The people affected were their neighbors. Stopping the transportation to protect the vehicles has consequences for everyone and every business. The rioting has consequences and the government is letting people know what they are.

Many thanks to those of you who live in France for keeping us up to date on actualities.

VERY HELPFUL

Posted by Bets
L'Occitanie, France
06/30/23 08:00 PM
9506 posts
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Actually, transportation has been stopped in many cities to be sure it DOESN'T heat up. Our buses and trams headed back to the barn starting at 6:30. This will be the case every evening until Monday. Consequently, shows are being cancelled all over the country. Further, it was announced that most of the nearly 1,000 arrested yesterday were 14-18 year olds. They film, share on social media and try to outdo each other. The government is working with the platforms to identify the uploads.

The areas affected by the rioting are mainly where these kids live. The people affected were their neighbors. Stopping the transportation to protect the vehicles has consequences for everyone and every business. The rioting has consequences and the government is letting people know what they are.

Currently in Lyon. We were at dinner last night and four groups of people from another part of the city came in to eat. There was tear gas going off near the restaurant they were eating at in another part of the city so they came to the old town where we were. After the meal (around 9:30) we left to walk back to the hotel. Lots of smoke in the distance, sirens, etc.... Didn't really feel safe. Morning now... city looks calm.

Lyon? A poster above implied that this was only going on in Nanterre?

Today´s demonstrations move to the Champs Elysées, late this morning, the first in Paris. This is a planned demonstration, not a riot.

Let´s see how this goes before anyone gets too worried.

I live in le 16ème while I'm here and went to dine at l'Intial in the 5ème last night and all was right ad rain.

Keep your head on a swivel and listen to your gut.

I know that the British government is warning its citizens (edit) about travel to France right now. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66073996?zephr-modal-register

I lived in Minneapolis several miles away from where the majority of the rioting was after George Floyd was killed, and my daughter and son-in-law lived even closer, so I know how the mob mentality can escalate and get out of control quickly. During that time, if anyone I knew was planning a trip to Minneapolis, I would have told them to stay away. It was a very frightening time.

It sounds like the rioting is escalating, so if it were me, I would probably elect to stay home or travel someplace else till it calms down. But as I said, I've lived through rioting and I would not take a chance. YMMV.

Lyon? A poster above implied that this was only going on in Nanterre?

It's happening in almost every town and city in the country. I am currently near Châtellerault, and some shops were burnt down in the less-privileged outskirts the other night (Thursday or Friday, not sure). Same in Poitiers.
I am still confident that there is no risk for personal safety for now, but I guess that you do have to be more alert than usual at night.
And the situation can evolve quickly.

New York Times Article…Traveling to France? What You Need to Know About the Protests.

Mardee : the UK don’t say to not travel in France they say to be cautious and to avoid riots….and to not forget to get an insurance.

Mardee, the article you've posted says Britons are advised they "may face disruption", not that they shouldn't travel.

Having been in Paris during previous unrest, including heavy police deployments and clashes (at one point literally in front of our apartment), I really don't feel there's any need to postpone travel, but obviously everyone has different risk profiles.

Balso: we still going with our trip (arrivai in Paris is wednesday). We are a bit worried about all this but I guess our next 33 days (after our 6 nights in Paris) should be ok (Honfleur, Bayeux, Dinan, Quimper, Puy du fou, Sarlat, Puy en Velay, Thônes and Lyon)

Balso: we still going with our trip (arrivai in Paris is wednesday). We are a bit worried about all this but I guess thé germain if 33 days (after our 6 nights in Paris) should be ok (Honfleur, Bayeux, Dinan, Quimper, Puy du fou, Sarlat, Puy en Velay, Thônes and Lyon

Take care in Paris at night and the rest should be smooth-sailing!

Bets, Balso, thanks for the assistance. You two are when the forum works

My advice-go but be aware and not stay out late at night. It seems for most strikes and riots in Europe and at home, things kick off after dark with agitators.

Unfortunately this kind of thing will keep happening-with the French police.

This is the French 24 hours news channel in English:> https://www.france24.com/en/

Local French news mentioned curfews and public transport ending at 2100, so just avoid going out in the evenings.

Having worked riot control twice the thing is you often don't know where the next flash point will be, and a firework, bottle, or what have you can fly in from anywhere without warning. Drinking or drug use is common.

Local French news mentioned curfews and public transport ending at 2100, so just avoid going out in the evenings.

To clarify, in Paris it's just surface transport that stops at 9 sharp. Metros still run. And there's good daylight until 10 right now.

I live in the Twin Cities of MN. During the George Floyd riots, we could easily avoid the area, though we had friends that went and helped with food and beverages, during the day. I would have advised travelers to the Twin Cities to avoid the area at night, also I might have suggested alternate areas to visit that are close to the Twin Cities.

In regards to France, if I were traveling there now, and will be in a few months, I'd have some alternate plans ready to go. There are so many great places just an easy train ride from Paris.

Now with the attempted assassination of the mayor, seems the situation is starting to become more violent.

I thought you meant the mayor of Paris but it's the mayor of L'Haÿ-les-Roses. Not that an attack on any official and/or their family is condoned.

Link to the BBC story:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66079408

Yes he is the mayor of a suburb of Paris. But does not make any difference in my book, still a significant escalation.

As opposed to Carlos’ alarmist declaration, in my city nothing happened last night. No new arrests, no further destruction, damage. So take written outbursts with a balanced grain of salt.

As opposed to Carlos’ alarmist declaration, in my city nothing happened last night. No new arrests, no further destruction, damage.

My impression is that the violence is mainly center in the Paris area, not Occitania.

“Yes he is the mayor of a suburb of Paris. But does not make any difference in my book, still a significant escalation.”

It makes a difference because I’d presumed (possibly wrongly) that Anne Hidalgo would have some sort of security detail.

The BBC piece annoyed me too because it said the attackers fired “rockets” at the mayor’s wife and children but later in the story it said “firework rockets”. In no way does it diminish the fear and pain endured by Mrs. Jeanbrun and her children but there are magnitudes of difference between a weapon called a rocket and a firework rocket.

My impression is that the violence is mainly center in the Paris area,
not Occitania

It's true, in my village tourists come and go quietly and drink at the café terraces as usual.

There are concerts in the town hall park and nothing was burned except maybe a few ribs and sausages in BBQs.

I wouldn't downplay this.

French police say ‘we are at war with vermin’ as they threaten revolt over rioting.

What happened last night is irrelevant.

https://dnyuz.com/2023/07/01/french-police-say-we-are-at-war-with-vermin-as-they-threaten-revolt-over-rioting/

The violence has been in spots everywhere in the country, not every city and suburb, though. In a village, every kid is known and would be caught pretty quickly.

L'Hay des Roses is a lovely, upper middle-class suburb outside Paris to the south with beautiful rose gardens. Stay tuned as I'm sure there's more to this story.

The kids have been shooting rocket fireworks, which also started the apartment building fire in Nanterre. The rocket fireworks have become a real fire menace.

The police quote was not "the police" but one person who was then criticized. There's also some tough-stuff talk to hold voters who might drift to the extreme right.

Many fewer arrests in the whole country last night, Sunday 167, as opposed to Saturday 400.

Thank goodness, no firearms. Could you imagine armed 14-18 year olds pillaging. BTW, school is in session for them until Friday.

How do we, the average citizens feel: tired of it all and we'll be glad when they get them calmed down, but we're going about our normal business. Of course the Blackbloc is ready to destroy whenever the opportunity arises.

I thought it interesting to learn that Go Fund Me pages have been established for both the policeman and the victim’s family involved in this unfortunate situation. I do not have the total of the family’s fund, but the policeman has contributions, as of this afternoon, in excess of 1,000,000€.

https://www.liberation.fr/societe/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-deux-cagnottes-de-soutien-lancees-et-pas-mal-de-questions-sur-leur-legalite-20230702_ZNHR7GZOBVBHDFQWXOZYPJ34N4/

Yes, and there is quite a scandal concerning the purse for the police officer, as it is supposedly sponsored by some figure from the far right.

But this is getting a bit afield of any concerns for tourists ...

It seems to me that there is more TV news coverage of the unrest in France than there is of mass shootings in the U.S.

It seems to me that there is more TV news coverage of the unrest in France than there is of mass shootings in the U.S.

Well frankly mass shootings have become an everyday occurance in the USA. What's going on in France is more out of the norm.

That's why all the major news were so focused on that Titanic submarine with the 5 rich guys, while sadly no one really reported on the 100s of migrants who also perished that same week when their boat went down in the Mediterranean.

@Carlos

Seems that sinking boats are our mass shootings. Happens too often. It is so sad :-(

Carlos. The boat sinking was covered!

Things do seem to be easing up throughout the country. I do not think you will notice any disruption if you arrive in Paris this week. Of course it could still flare up again, but I see no signs of that.

Thanks Balso ! Our flight leave tonight we will arrive tomorrow . We are a bit excited !

I love the helpful news and advice we get from our local on-site friends! We leave tmrw for our cruise…stops in Marseille on the 9th. Selfishly not concerned for cruise tours…..but hoping for some peaceful resolution there.

Did the Alcazar library really get burned?

Interesting as everything that says the "library burned down" was from non-official sources and I guess "influencers". Nothing from a news source indicates this which supposedly happened on June 29.

This is what the library website says:

"Bibliothèque de l'Alcazar : le 1er étage du département jeunesse est fermé ce jour. Merci pour votre compréhension

"Alcazar library: the 1st floor of the youth department is closed today. Thank you for understanding"

https://www.bmvr.marseille.fr/

Did the Alcazar library really get burned?

Stop getting information from unreliable sources.
The video that was released supposedly showing the Alcazar Library on fire is not from France but from the Philippines. The building engulfed in flames was the Manila Central Post Office.

The Alcazar Library reopened yesterday.
Only a few windows and the entrance hall have been damaged.

Pretty aggressive response to a simple question with the hope one of our French locals might have something on. I guess the forum is no place for questions?

Still, it was good to hear the demonstrators simply broke the windows and tried to burn down the entrance to the building without doing more damage.

A very sure sign that things are back under control: Paris public transport is back on a normal schedule as of tonight!

It gets tiring to see everything from sensationalized news from western sources to outright lies patched together by anti-democratic organizations. It's a complicated situation with a long history that's being cut down to sound bites and headlines, so I understand Jolui 's outburst.

These sorts of threads can be difficult for moderation. It seems this discussion has run its course. I'm closing it. Thanks, everyone.