The past 5 weeks in France

Just a quick note regarding our travels over the past 5 weeks in France. We had just picked up our rental car in the Loire Valley the day the stikes began ( November 17). We encountered the Gilets Jaunes first in Dinan, Brittany. We were delayed in the major roundabouts, but were able to get through. As the week progressed, there were more yellow vests not only in the roundabouts, but folks were showing their solidarity by displaying their yellow vests in the dashboard of their cars. We had to change our travel plans and lost our reservation at Mt. St Michel since the roads leading to Mt. St Michel were closed. (the hotel did not refund, planning on disputing ) Traveling up to Normandie, then to Caen, we used Waze to avoid the major roads, which were closed. While in Bayeaux, we witnessed a mini protest with at least a dozen large tractors driving down the tiny cobblestone streets! Quite a sight! We were very happy to drop off our rental car in Caen on the 24 of November , then relying on trains. We arrived in Paris and stayed in the Maris district. We were here for the 2 big Saturday protests. December 1, the protests were localized around the Champs Elysess, so there were plenty of other sights for us to see. Last Saturday, the 8 December, when everything was shut, many of the shops in the Maris and all the banks were boarded up. We visited the Pere Lachaise Cemetery (the only sight not closed) (it happened to be Jim Morrison's birthday!) We could hear the cacophony of the protests below, a little harrowing! It was a little tricky returning to Maris since the metro stations were closed and the roads were closed so we could not take the bus. Also the Velib (bike rental program) had closed many of their stations due to the protests).Interestingly, the neighborhood around the Pere Lachaise cemetery, it was business as usual, shops were open, cafes filled with folks. We arrived safely in the Maris about 5pm. Soon, we heard a marching band and chanting! There was a large group of very jovial protesters headed down our street! I think there were part of the Enviromental Protest which was happening that day which the press did not cover.
To sum up: We were fortunate enough to have the luxury of time, so a day "lost" was no big deal. We witnessed history here in France which is something you cannot put a price on. As RS says: BE FLEXIBLE IN YOUR PLANS! ( and IMHO, spend as much time as possible!) Although we had to endure a rainstorm here and there , traveling off season is the only way to go. No lines ANYWHERE! and the locals were all very friendly and helpful.
Merci Beaucoup and Via La France!