French election
 

I've been reading that the first round of elections could result in riots and violence. We're supposed to arrive in Paris next Wednesday.

Does anyone know if we should be concerned?

You should be concerned about the news outlet that is telling you this misinformation and start reading different ones. Try the BBC online if you don't speak an French. It's quite an exciting election, so you might want to learn more about it if you plan to stay in Paris until Sunday.

Thank you! American news is the worst. All doom and gloom all the time.

France 24 on line will keep you up to date too. There is a France 24 debate on the site that is always interesting.

People generally get the news they deserve, based on which media they are using to get it. There is plenty of intelligent news reporting out there, yes, even in the US. Most people don't want it though so they look at garbage like CNN or worse, and never read a good newspaper, either, nor listen to NPR news. NPR is biased in its national political viewpoint, but at least they report more on international news and do it pretty well. They had a long story this morning on this subject (on the BBC news segment on NPR).

That doesn't mean this is necessarily wrong, though, given that election. What do you think would happen if Le Pen were elected? They've already arrested some people planning terrorism due to that. SO don't just presume some stranger on Fodors telling you France is perfect and nothing bad ever happens, blah blah is correct. It is a fact that a couple men were just arrested in Marseille plotting terrorist attacks related to the election. In fact, Fillon has criticized the govt for not doing more about the violence surrounding this election.

but no, I don't think you personally have anything to worry about and it certainly isn't going to be at the level you are implying that would disrupt the entire city, how would that happen.

I was there last election and was fascinated by the whole process. So much more civilized than how we do it. The results were in by 8pm and they were out of office the next week. Not a long dragged out process. Just use common sense. I would not wade into a big crowd. I am watching the news now of the shootings in Paris. More to come? Who knows. You can expect armed police more but would not be overly concerned. Maybe we are getting numb from it all.

Nobody "deserves" today's media, and there is a real paucity of intelligent reporting, even at the "respectable" news outlets. Witness their utter shock at everything going on this year and their repeatedly wrong analysis.

What one also needs to be on the alert for is somebody like Christina on the internet twisting other people's words because of her own unhappiness. If you can read (apparently Christina has trouble with this) you can plainly see that no one on Fodor's has told you "France is perfect and nothing bad ever happens." What someone told you -- me -- is that neither police nor most people are expecting riots and violence following the election results.

There is a perpetual risk of terror attacks in France, as in the United States, Great Britain, Germany -- etc. One happened tonight in France. That isn't what you asked. You asked if you should worry about post-election riots & violence. Lke Christina, I don't think that is a worry.

<i>I've been reading that the first round of elections could result in riots and violence.</i>

Exactly where have you been reading this?

'What one also needs to be on the alert for is somebody like Christina on the internet twisting other people's words because of her own unhappiness'

Totally agree.

OP was candid and certainly doesn't 'deserve' the kind of post she got here from 'garbage like' some posters.

I have been participating in French elections in Paris for more than 40 years, and not once have there ever been riots and violence related to the election even when half of the country was not happy with the outcome.

Security will in force at all polling stations - this includes schools and other government buildings.
I would just plan to avoid these areas and possibly places like Place de la Republique, Place Bastille and Place de la Nation - because crowds usually gather there to celebrate the victory after the polls have closed.

"I've been reading that the first round of elections could result in riots and violence. "

Where?

It is amazing: somebody reads the word "could" anc changes it to "will." They also refuse to cite anything concrete.

Yeah, I'd be VERY concerned they might end up in Paris, TEXAS!

Wow! I'm sorry I don't check this site every hour to see responses. I read it in a magazine in a doctors office, I believe it was a Forbes article. I'm sorry I asked the question. I was not expecting to be met with with so many rude responses for a simple inquiry.

I admittedly don't follow world news as I stay home with two toddlers and don't like to have it on around them because it's full of violence. I do appreciate you attacking my intelligence though. Thank you.

Not so much your intelligence as your common sense. 1. Where have there ever been election day riots in the developed democratic world. 2. When an election takes place on Sunday, wouldn't you have time to cancel your trip before Wednesday to avoid riot-ravaged Paris?

Well people have rioted over much more trivial events (i.e. Their sports team not winning the championship) so I don't think it's totally out there to think it might be a possibility.

Even if you think I'm being ignorant, you didn't have to comment on the thread. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything. I do wonder if you act like such a condescending ass to people you know in person or if you reserve that for people on the internet that you don't have to actually interact with.

The last French riot I saw was when the first McDonald's opened on the Champs.

cdy0115, I'm sorry if you feel offended, especially if that came from Christina's snap (post above, she was the first one who mentioned "intelligent"). Christina are known here for her out-of-place criticism, but I'm sure she means no harm. Be tolerate with us :)

'I do wonder if you act like such a condescending ass to people '


You did lose me here.

Internet is public, if you don't like to be told things, don't ask questions that may attract snarky comments. If you choose to take care of your toddlers that is your choice but the world doesn't stop because of that.

And frankly your analogy with championship sucks.

And I was one who was friendly to you...

Ps : don't come to Paris with that attitude, if you think we are rude on internet, you've never seen us live when an american bully comes and demands (demands as in English, not as in French) something without even bothering to say hello.

Did you say hello, and/or thanks by the way ?

1. I obviously wasn't referring to your post 2. The first thing I said was thank you to the first person who replied. Then I came back and had responses like "you'll probably end up in Paris, Texas" and "you get the news you deserve" and telling me I have no common sense.

You are right in that I should not have dismissed the posters who were kind.