World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Protests and unrest disrupt tourists' plans in Paris
Visitors to Paris faced protests and street disruption after days of unrest in the French capital.
The Louvre was closed behind barricades, leaving some tourists unable to visit the museum.
The protests grew from demonstrations over the rising cost of living and earlier student calls for better school conditions.
About half a million people protested across France on Saturday, while fires, debris and traffic delays disrupted parts of Paris.
The unrest has raised concerns about the impact on tourism and visitor safety, though some tourists continued their plans elsewhere in the city.
The Yellow Vests movement has called for more protests this Saturday, as the government considers partial, targeted curfews.
Protests and unrest in France have disrupted tourists’ plans, with demonstrations, traffic delays and barricades reported in Paris.
The Louvre was blocked by protesters and visitors were turned away, according to reports on Monday.
Some Swiss travellers cancelled trips, while others planned to avoid crowds or change their itineraries.
Travel companies reported no immediate wave of cancellations, though one said it was too early to assess delayed effects.
Demonstrators have protested the cost of living, the French government and conditions in schools.
- Who
- Tourists in France and protesters. Swiss travellers are among those changing or reconsidering their plans.
- What
- Unrest has disrupted travel and sightseeing, including access to the Louvre. Some travellers have cancelled trips or altered their plans.
- When
- The protests and disruptions were reported over the weekend and on Monday, October 19, 2026.
- Where
- France, including Paris and other cities.
- Why
- Protesters are opposing the cost of living and the government; earlier demonstrations by students called for better school conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
American tourist Ashley Wynn said her train travelling from Barcelona towards Paris stopped for hours after the train lines were cut.
Roughly half a million people turned out across France to protest the cost of living.
A small group of protesters blocked the Louvre entrance, and tourists were turned away.
- Protests
- Roughly 500,000 people turned out across France on Saturday
- Louvre
- Protesters blocked the entrance to the museum’s glass pyramid
- Ashley Wynn’s train delay
- About three hours
- Swiss travel advice
- France remained generally safe to visit, but authorities warned of demonstrations, unrest and transport disruption
- Travel companies
- DERTOUR Suisse reported no changes in new bookings for France so far
4 sources
«Unsere Sicherheit ist wichtiger als jede Sehenswürdigkeit»
Terrified American model reveals nightmare of being stuck in France during riots... trains going backwards and chaos that has made Paris so terrifying she's sticking to villages instead
Tourists trade cafes for barricades in France gripped by unrest
Reputatie van toerismemagneet Parijs krijgt klap door rellen, reisadvies op geel: ’Blijf uit de buurt van mensenmassa’s’
What people are saying
Stay home!
It was terrible – debris from fires everywhere, glass on the pavement
We don't want to get involved. We want to stand back and get away from them
Our safety is more important than any sight