Anyone in Paris?

[fiftysth]

We're due to visit for a short break and I wondered if anyone is there at present who can advise on what it's like re the riots.

TIA

I’m in the same boat, was meant to be there over Easter. I’m strongly considering rescheduling if I can, massively disappointing but even if the riots have settled down I don’t think they will have dealt with all the rubbish.

Was wondering the same!

There right now and it's fine. I live in France anyway but not Paris and some friends were fretting about me coming for the weekend but it is absolutely.

Over dramatised tv

It looks awful on the media doesn’t it

Yes I would agree, I was there earlier this week and it was fine. And when I left there were loads of trucks starting to collect the rubbish so that side of it should be OK.

There is a small village I know, just between Quimper and the sea. it’s not quite Paris. That’s why I go there.

Thanks. That's reassuring.

I'm going next week. We are very good at clearing up our demonstration mess.

Why do the British (press) so love bigging up any bad in France? Is it to stop the Brits noticing what's happening at home?

My friend is there now and she’s sent photos of rubbish piled up in the streets. She’s avoided the demonstrations as they’re largely contained in one area, she hasn’t felt unsafe.

DH came back a few days ago - rubbish situation pretty grim but protests not really anything to stress about. So I'd say depends where you're going, if somewhere the rubbish will impact may want to consider, but they are slowly starting to clear it

We are due to go to Paris the week after next so this is a helpful thread, thank you. Does anyone know if the strike / protest days are likely to mean certain attractions etc won’t be open, eg Eiffel Tower, Louvre?

I am in Paris at moment. Went to Louvre today. No issues. On our walk to there I saw a few smashed windows other than that nothing.

I'm here. It's fine. They've started collecting the bins. I'd just advise avoiding the end of the marches, that's where and when things kick off.

@JacketPotatoQueen Museums are normally not affected by the strikes - but sometimes are - https://www.francetvinfo.fr/culture/arts-expos/greves-en-france-le-chateau-de-versailles-la-tour-eiffel-et-l-arc-de-triomphe-fermes-au-public_5728121.html

Best to check on twitter for each place you're planning to go.

Thanks all, this is all v helpful.

In my experience, yes.

Protesting is part of the French way of life. Big protests like this usually have a dramatic bit right at the beginning with the usual twats suspects setting fire to stuff, and then it will die right down. There will be a small band of committed but entirely peaceful protesters who will carry on for months.

People in France will have largely forgotten about the protests but the UK media will still be publishing dramatic articles implying that France is an ungovernable basket case where civilisation has completely broken down.

I expect they'll get the bins emptied some time this week and Paris will look pretty much back to normal. (Normal is admittedly not particularly clean.)

I'd be more worried about getting there - planes, trains and boats all affected on an off this week

Good point, some in French Air Traffic Control are taking action early this coming week.

As a result for Tuesday/Wednesday DGAC (French version of the UK's CAAs) have already ordered 20% a reduction of flights into/out of Paris- Orly (and also FWIW Marseille, Toulouse and Bordeaux)