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CHAMPS-ELYSÉES

Paris: Champs-Elysées to go car-free on Sunday

One of the most famous avenues in the world - the Champs-Elysées in Paris - is set to be pedestrianized on Sunday, September 4th.

Published: 2 September 2016 17:16 CEST
Paris: Champs-Elysées to go car-free on Sunday
Photo: AFP
It's part of what was meant to be  a monthly series of car-free days, but which was actually cancelled in August due to heightened security measures. 
 
But this month's day is to go ahead as planned, the government said in a statement on Friday. 
 
The road will be open to pedestrians from 7am to 8pm.
 
There will also be a drone festival for anyone keen to see some high-flying action. It will see drone enthusiasts racing their wares at speeds of up to 130km, and will be help between Rue Lincold and Avenue George V between 2pm and 6.30pm. 
 
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has said in the past that the experience will be repeated on the first Sunday of every month, partly to “bring Parisians back to this emblematic place which belongs to them” and partly to reduce pollution.
The boulevard attracts an average of 300,000 visitors every day, including many tourists. Vast crowds gather there for special occasions, when the road is also closed to traffic, including for New Year celebrations
 
Hidalgo, a Socialist, has made fighting the smog that periodically shrouds the French capital one of her top priorities.
 
The World Health Organization says fine-particle air pollution is responsible for about 42,000 premature deaths in France each year.

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CHAMPS-ELYSÉES

Traders say 80 businesses hit in ‘yellow vest’ rampage

Some 80 shops and businesses on the Champs-Elysées avenue in Paris were vandalised this weekend when "yellow vest" protesters went on the rampage, with about 20 looted or torched, retailers said on Sunday.

Published: 17 March 2019 14:32 CET
Traders say 80 businesses hit in 'yellow vest' rampage
The handbag retailer Longchamp was badly vandalised. Photo: Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt/AFP
Saturday's demonstrations were characterised by a sharp increase in violence after weeks of dwindling turnout, with hooded protesters looting and torching shops along the famed avenue.
 
It was the 18th consecutive weekend of demonstrations which began in mid-November as a protest against fuel price hikes but have since morphed into a potent anti-government movement.
   
“There was a wave of violence, we're dealing with the aftermath of the chaos. We're trying to reassure all the employees and then there are those who live here, too,” said Jean-Noel Reinhardt, head of the Committee Champs-Elysées, a local association with 180 members, most of them businesses. 
 
He said residents and business owners were pushing for talks with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe “to share our exasperation and explain our complaints. 
 
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“The authorities must put an end to this situation,” he insisted. Since the beginning, the prestigious avenue, which is known for its shops, cafes and luxury boutiques, has been the focal point for the demonstrations which have often turned violent, sparking running battles between police and protesters. 
   
On Saturday, the police appeared overrun as protesters swarmed the area, vandalising and later setting fire to Fouquet's brasserie, a favourite hangout of the rich and famous for the past century — as well as luxury handbag store Longchamp.
   
Clothing outlets Hugo Boss, Lacoste and Celio were also damaged, as well as a bank, a chocolatier and several newsstands.   
 
“Enough is enough. And this Saturday went too far!” raged Bernard Stalter, president of CMA France, a national network of chambers of trades and crafts. 
   
He also demanded a meeting with top ministers “this week in order to find solutions which will put an end to a situation which has become as volatile as it is unacceptable.”
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