Guests checking into Rosewood’s Hotel de Crillon this week were likely visiting Paris for all of the city’s enduring attractions: the food, the romance, the museums, the fashion. But on Thursday night, their $2,450-a-night rooms became the doorstep of a massive protest on the adjacent Place de la Concorde, in which thousands of citizens protested against the government’s use of a constitutional provision to pass its pension law, which failed a majority of MPs in the gather French House of Commons. Garbage collectors have been on strike since March 6 in response to the reforms planned by President Emmanuel Macron. Garbage is piling up around Paris as garbage collectors protest against the raising of the retirement age in their industry from 57 to 59. Strike to run until at least March 20 but could last longer.
Until this year, the city was last hit by protests of this magnitude in late 2018 and early 2019, when yellow vests in cities across France clashed with government forces, sometimes violently. Tourism has been hit significantly; Public transport and hotel companies like Accor SA saw stocks plummet and tourist attractions like the Louvre and Orsay museums were closed for security reasons.
So far, the protests in Paris have not been dangerous for tourists. There’s no indication that travelers should consider canceling their plans, and the US State Advisory remains at a default Level 2 — the same as virtually any popular travel destination in Europe or the Caribbean. However, there are some signs of rising tensions. Police on Thursday used water cannons to disperse protesters in the Place de la Concorde, just across a bridge from France’s National Assembly.
The stakes are high. In 2022, France’s international tourism spending reached 50 billion euros ($53.4 billion), exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 1.2 billion euros and accounting for 10% of France’s GDP. France also remains on track to regain its pre-pandemic title as the world’s most visited country by 2025, according to Global Data. National carrier Air France is also ramping up service to pre-pandemic levels this summer ahead of expectations of a surge in demand and the return of Chinese travelers.
difficulty moving about
But that doesn’t mean visitors will find Paris untouched. Some sidewalks in the city have become impassable, full of garbage bags, with rotting food and broken bottles spilling out onto the sidewalk.
Although France’s interior minister has promised to commandeer garbage collectors to dig up the debris, there was still no evidence that many in the strike-hit neighborhoods were back to work. Meanwhile, the arrival of spring break Americans and other international travelers has prompted visitors to share photos, posts and comments about the rubbish heaps around Paris.
How to plan ahead
These stacks could quickly disappear if collectors are actually forced back into the job. On the other hand, there isn’t much for residents and visitors to do – except maybe pinch their noses. But there are a few precautions travelers can take to ensure their travels are otherwise unaffected by the political unrest.
In anticipation of possible transit strikes that took place during the 2018 and 2019 protests, it might be wise to book an airport transfer through your hotel. Not only will you bypass unplanned public transit changes; The hotel is responsible for guaranteeing your service or communicating clearly about expected challenges in case taxi drivers suddenly join the garbage collectors.
Before setting off on a romantic walk through the city, report to reception or the concierge. They probably know where and when protests are planned so you don’t accidentally get dragged into a demonstration. Note that the next big day of strikes and protests is scheduled for March 23.
Gail Boisclair, founder of furnished rentals firm PerfectlyParis, has told clients to avoid the Republique and Bastille areas on Saturdays because of the demonstrations, but says strikes come with the territory. “Everyone knows about the French strike and if you come to France you might get a strike,” she notes. “But it’s not always with our garbage.” Boisclair says she saw heaps of rubbish around the 9th and 17th arrondissements.
Lindsey Tramuta, journalist and author of The New Parisienne, recommends visitors to download the Citymapper app. “It’s great to know if public transport is disrupted and which routes in particular, or in the case of large demonstrations, if certain stations will be closed for security reasons,” she told Bloomberg. For those who don’t speak French, she also advises keeping an eye on English-language media such as France24 and The Local France for the latest information on strikes.
And while it may seem obvious, check the social media of destinations like museums to make sure they’re open. You don’t want to wander around a city only to find out that museum workers are also on strike. The Paris Tourist Office Twitter account (@ParisJeTaime) is also a good source for closures, as is local guide @paris_by_elodie.
But most importantly, tourists should exercise patience and allow extra time to get around. Subway services, train schedules and even airport operations have all been disrupted during the recent protests.
This story was published from a wire agency feed with no changes to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
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