Yellow Vest Movement

Shortly before the start of our Year 4 in Paris, a protest movement began across France, the Yellow Vest Movement.  Every Saturday since the protest's first Saturday (November 17, 2018), protesters have marched in French cities and towns, including Paris.  It's been going on for 18 weeks.  Thousands of demonstrators participate, and thousands of police are also present.  (You can learn about the movement, including why the protesters are marching and why they wear yellow vests (gilets jaunes), by clicking here.)

The protests are sometimes peaceful and sometimes violent and destructive.  There have been fatalities and serious injuries related to the protests.  Consequently, family and friends expressed concern about our living in Paris.  We have been very cautious about where we go in Paris on Saturdays.  We avoid the Champs-Elysées because protesters gather there every Saturday.     

Last Saturday (March 16), the protest on the Champs-Elysées was violent and destructive.  The day after, we were headed to our church, which is located very near the Champs-Elysées,  As we emerged from the Metro, we could smell burnt wood and then we saw why.  Most of the newsstands on the Champs-Elysées were destroyed by fire during Saturday's protest.  

Many of the shops along the Champs-Elysées were damaged.  

The famous restaurant Fouquet's was damaged by fire.

We also saw one of the cars that had been set on fire.

Where we live in Paris is not terribly far from one end of the Champs-Elysées.  Each Saturday, the nearby streets are blocked to vehicular traffic.  Plus, there are two sets of barricades and a lot of police between our neighborhood and the Champs-Elysées.  Still, we remain cautious and avoid any areas where the protesters might march. 

We appreciate your concerns and we hope for a peaceful resolution of the protests.  

P.S.  Within two weeks, some of the destruction on the Champs-Elysées was already repaired.  All of the newsstands, like the one pictured below, were repaired or replaced.