Thanks Kerouac, I appreciate the photos as the coverage of the story in the US is limited (any story not in New York or Washington seems to be). So sorry to see this destruction in Paris. Brave little Brioche Dore from our first trip to Paris.

The photos and video of the Arc de Triumph are terrible. I don't get it - if they are opposed to a gas hike increase they must be opposed to increased taxes to pay for the damage or that funds will be diverted from other needed services - the need for the damage/increase being created by their destruction. We have gas hike increases all the time here in our city (some imposed by the state, some local) and we've never had such extreme riots. What is going on?

They didn't think it through. People rarely do.

THe official version is that evil-doers infiltrated the demonstration to cause havoc.

But plenty of the 'normal' demonstrators were happy to join the violent mob. It is a well known phenomenon..

The state has a long history of backing down when things get noisy on the streets, not all the time, but enough to make it worthwhile.

Macron is delaying the protested fuel tax increase for 6 months. Let's see what happens Saturday.

kerouac, You were so right. We took the metro and the bus to Suresnes American Cemetery today. The driver announced something and people started squawking and some were like what did he say? Many got off but we stayed on and he skipped five stops due to protesting. We were lucky our stop was after those he skipped. Looks like we won't be going near the 8th this weekend. I just heard they are closing down many museums on Saturday. We are by the Eiffel so close to the 7th but in the 15th.

The cemetery was a good stop.

I am unaware of any protests today other than in a few high schools.

I saw a few gilets jaunes at exit 14 on A1 today - they were distributing free tickets for the highway. Since I have a telepass, I just shrugged and smilled.
Some museums and Eiffel Tower will be closed on saturday and every major (responsible) politician, union leader asked for NO violence. Melenchon didn't say anything and Le Pen said there should be no violence but if there was, it was Macon's fault.
All in all, a typcial french situation. Can either defuse (most likely) or spread.

I saw a few gilets jaunes at exit 14 on A1 today - they were distributing free tickets for the highway. > did they buy those passes - how come free - sounds expensive and don't understand rational for that. Please explain?

They just let drivers through without paying tolls. They have also told drivers with electronic passes to deactivate them when driving through to avoid being charged automatically, but I think the most such people like thibaut think it is more trouble to do than it is worth.

Plus i am not a thief. I pay my dues...
I heard a lot on the radio about yellow jackets saying they would not go to Paris this saturday since they don't want to be associated with the riots. The guys you see at roundabouts, tolls etc in the provinces give an impression of 'bon enfant' : they protest, but pacifically and nearly democratically. they are not there to burn cars or smash windows, they say - and I tend to believe them.

Yes, we had no violence in St Louis and the surrounding villages, just inconvenience.

"nearly democratically" LOL

I am sort of hoping that it rains as hard tomorrow as it is raining now.

Yup. To be on the safe side, I booked a hotel before taking my flight in 2 weeks - I was thinking I'd go in the morning but don't want to be stuck in traffic jams - I don't find it a bad precaution when you have a transatlantic flight to book a room at the airport. (I went to Ibisstyle).

We had the visit the Dorothea Lange exhibit today at the Jeu de Paume because the space will be closed tomorrow.

Gorgio Armani, Chanel, Louis Vuitton all boarded up or metal fencing up.

Military personnel all over the Champs Elysees today.

We were going to visit the Nissim Comondo Museum tomorrow, nowhere near the Champs, but it is closed. Even Basilica of St Denis is closed. Sigh.

Thin

Time for a cruise on the Canal Saint Martin then.

We watched them boarding up all the stores this afternoon. I am not sure what we will do on Saturday. I have the dam tv working so at least will know what is going on. Police everywhere and army patrols. It did pour down raining. Hoping nothing happens. Glad you are doing ok Thin.