Paris Police Mobilize 70,000 as Protests Close Museums

Paris police mobilized 70,000 security personnel on Oct. 24, firing tear gas and sealing off iconic cultural sites as fresh nationwide protests over the high cost of living triggered widespread property protection measures across France.

Museum Closures and Cancelled Cultural Events in Paris

Disappointed tourists encountered locked gates across the French capital on Saturday as cultural institutions shut down ahead of the demonstrations. The Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Orangerie, Jeu de Paume, and Picasso museums closed their doors as a precaution. The entire Tuileries Gardens complex leading out of the Louvre was sealed off, and the Paris Opera shuttered both the Palais Garnier and the Opéra Bastille.

Organizers of the Art Basel Paris fair cancelled their weekend programme. Italian social educator Selena Bertoni, 31, paid €50 for two tickets to the Musée d’Orsay only to find it locked. “Bad timing,” she said. French visitor Heidi Rosar, 21, added, “This is the third museum we have come to that is closed. They should’ve warned us.” Canadian visitor Don Nowschuk suggested local authorities might be overreacting to the threat. “There is so much security that you would think it would be enough to secure the museum,” he said. “It’s a bit weird to see so many cops with guns around Paris. We are used to guns but not like this.” How could we have known? We didn’t think a museum could be closed. We are a bit naive, 59-year-old French woman Catherine Sebbagh said.

French Luxury Stores Increase Security Amid Riot Fears

Retailers across major French cities prepared for potential street violence following severe rioting the previous weekend. Luxury boutiques in Paris boarded up their windows and added private security guards. A Rolex retailer and a De Beers store near the Place Vendôme remained closed, while staff at LVMH brands Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Bulgari increased security presence.

In Lyon, police fired tear gas to disperse roughly 150 protesters near the city center after demonstrators briefly tried to block a road, where demonstrations had been banned. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated on Friday that authorities would not tolerate any unrest. Protesters and student groups, including the Yellow Vest group and France’s main student union UNEF, organized the fresh demonstrations to denounce rising living costs and cuts to public services.

Arrests and Economic Impact from Previous Unrest

Last weekend’s nationwide demonstrations resulted in 2,700 arrests as protests over public services and living costs descended into property damage and looting. The retail sector reported that shop owners sustained damage and stolen stock totaling hundreds of millions of euros. Emmanuel Macron attributed the worst of the violence to ultra-left groups.

Cambodian tourist Jerry Lay, who visited Paris on a shopping trip, expressed hesitation about returning. “We do enjoy shopping in France, but after experiencing the protest (last Saturday), I’d say it’s 50/50 whether I would consider coming back next time,” he said. Hermes finance chief Eric du Halgouet stated that the company increased security measures at its French stores.

Human Rights Watch Defines Police Responsibilities During Protests

Police have a responsibility both to ensure that protests can take place peacefully and safely and to protect the public from violent disorder, said Eva Cosse, senior Europe researcher at Human Rights Watch.

More on this story: France Deploys 70,000 Police Ahead of Nationwide Protests · French Government Plans Massive Security Operation for Saturday