Clashes broke out in Paris and Marseille on Saturday, 24 October, during another day of demonstrations across France, while the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and more than 20 Paris Metro stations were closed.
The museum closures were precautions taken for Saturday’s protests. Shopkeepers also boarded up premises ahead of the demonstrations, following violence and looting the previous weekend.
Peaceful Marches Gave Way to Clashes
France’s Interior Ministry estimated that 410,000 people protested nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris. Unions put participation substantially higher.
The demonstrations centred on rising living costs, inequality and demands for better public services. Authorities deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country.
The Paris march began peacefully. Near its endpoint, masked protesters threw objects and fireworks towards police, who responded with tear gas and water cannon.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police made nearly 1,000 arrests nationwide, with the tally expected to increase.
Reuters also reported clashes in Marseille, where youths burned rubbish bins and threw rocks and bottles at security forces. Police said several shops were ransacked.
Museums and Metro Stations Closed for Saturday
The Louvre’s official notice specified an exceptional closure on Saturday, 24 October. It said reservations for that day would be refunded automatically.
The Paris tourist office also listed the Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie, Picasso Museum and Grand Palais among the cultural venues affected by Saturday’s closures.
Its transport notice listed 24 Metro stations scheduled to close from 9am on Saturday, including Concorde, Tuileries and Charles de Gaulle-Étoile. Trains were to pass through the closed stations without stopping, with transfers unavailable there.
Parts of Metro lines 2, 6 and 12 were also scheduled to have services suspended.
Check Updates Before Travelling
For visitors making plans for Sunday, 25 October, the tourist office advises checking individual venues’ websites and live transport updates before setting out.
Saturday’s closure notices should not be treated as confirmation of Sunday’s arrangements. Travellers can check the RATP and Île-de-France Mobilités apps for current services.
