Following the past few weekends of “Yellow Vest” protests, a number of people have been asking us, not just if we’re OK in Paris (we are!) but also if it’s safe to come here. The short answer is yes!
When protests like these take place, news coverage can often lead to misinformation or a distorted view of the facts. The reality is there were a few protests confined to a small area of the city, and it has been relatively easy to steer clear of them. Protesting is part and parcel of French culture and has been since the French Revolution, and while these protests have been tied to more destruction than most (a complicated relationship we’ll get into a bit more below), there’s no need to worry about the safety of any friends or family traveling to Paris. The city is well and ready to welcome you – and even better, it’s all dressed up for the holidays!
If you’re interested in knowing more about what’s been going on in Paris, however, here’s the insider scoop.
Why Are People Protesting?
As a Socialist country in the largely capitalist West, France walks the fine line between encouraging economic growth and providing rights for its employees. And while some draw comparisons (however flimsy) to the 18th and 19th century French Revolutions, the act of protest is deeply rooted in French culture, especially when people feel their rights are being threatened.
The “Yellow Vest” demonstrations first began as a protest against an increased fuel tax on the part of working class people who already struggle to make ends meet. Over the last few weeks, the movement has expanded to highlight other issues facing France: an ever-deepening wage gap, recent tax cuts for the rich, unemployment, and low economic growth over the past decade.
What’s it Like in Paris?
The French have the constitutional right to protest, which they have long used liberally. It’s not infrequent to witness demonstrations in Paris, usually on Saturdays confined to the city’s largest squares, like Place de la République.
The past few Saturdays, protesters have been assembling instead in ritzy neighborhoods of Paris, such as along the Champs-Elysées, wearing the yellow vests that all are required to keep in their cars in case of emergencies. While the protests have been largely peaceful, there have been some cases of people (who are not necessarily associated with the movement) resorting to acts of vandalism. The news media has been conflating these images with images of the protesters, leading many people – both in France and abroad – to come to the erroneous conclusion that this is a violent protest.
What Does This Mean for Visitors?
Paris is a safe place to live and visit, even during the protests. Most inconveniences can be avoided simply by staying away from the areas where protests are taking place and not engaging with (or photographing!) protesters.
Inconveniences linked to the protest have been confined to protest days – namely, Saturdays. On the past few Saturdays, as a precautionary measure, the city of Paris has closed a handful of metro lines and stations, mainly near the Champs-Elysées, Opera house, and République. In addition, last Saturday, the city of Paris decided to shut certain museums and monuments for the day and encouraged small businesses not to open. The city has been posting monument closures and other information on its website to minimize the effects on people’s daily lives.
While there have certainly been some instances of vandalism, for the most part, these demonstrations have been relatively peaceful, and they have not stopped Parisians from getting on with our lives – or visitors to Paris from enjoying the city.
So please come pay us a visit – we’d love to show you around!