Paris Under Seige...
 

sadly breaking news with several attacks in Paris just a short time ago - one at Stade de France during a Germany-France match and as MSNBC reports at a place where young folk gather.

Chaos in Paris - when will this sickening stuff stop.

Ongoing reports of a shooting at the Cambodge Restaurant in the 11e, and near the Bataclan arts centre too, as well as a bar near the Stade de France.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34814203

Live pictures from French TV right now on MSNBC and probably CNN.

I just saw this on CBC as breaking news. Not many details yet.

Stade de france is a rotten area.
Then with journalistic exaggerations it can and does make the news.

Sadly, reporting at least 40 deaths known so far. No indication yet who is responsible.

Sorry pariswat, but have you actually followed what has been going on? Stade de France is just one location. A minimum of 18, possibly 30 dead. A hostage situation too.

Oh yea pariswat, high powered rifles, explosions, hostages, shoot out at a concert hall, hostages....yup, just a bunch of Paris punks from a bad area of town.

You called it again, please keep us posted.

MSNBC says 40 deaths so far too and gun fights still going on. One suicide bombing apparently near the Stade where French President was watching a 'friendly' match. three locations - stadium - in bar near stadium - two suicide bombings and a popular nightclub with young folk with up to 50 perhaps killed there with 100 hostages still inside and one other place in Paris.

So so triste,

Why is Paris such a target over other countries? Hopefully will not start an even more anti-Moslem feeling than currently.

Still people being held hostage in theatre in 11th arrondisement. Perpetrators heard to shout, " This is for Syria!".

Ugh. WHY????? The Bataclan? WTF???

This is so awful. My heart is breaking for all the innocent people involved in this senseless bullsh**.

There is another small live-venue theatre near the restaurant Cambodge that came under attack. Hard not to wonder if a plan to attack that theatre was thwarted, and gunmen just opened fire on the nearest large crowd. Cambodge is a very popular restaurant, where people queue to get in.

Theory is places where ordinary French folk gather was the target - not tourist areas.

I want to clarify the writing in my post:

Very near the restaurant Cambodge, which came under attack and many people died, there is a small theatre venue. It DIDN'T come under attack, but I am wondering it was the intended target.

Now reporting at least 60 dead and many injured; not good!

Also, many obvious terrorist targets in Paris are guarded by militarised, highly armed police. These apparently not.

Hollande was at the game near where the suicide bombings occur, and I don't think that was a coincidence.

Just said there was an American band scheduled to play that venue.

More than 60 dead now.

My condolences to the people of Paris.

Unfortunately the French government was as responsible for the growth of the suicidal, jihadist fanatics in Syria as were some of the other major EU country governments, United States and Turkey.

Are we looking for a different tyope of refugee situation in the future, when people start leaving large cities or their countries in EU? But for where?

Violence continues to breed and drag people into the maelstrom indifferently and globally.

I hope that these issues are seriously discussed at the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey this weekend.

But the solution is in the hands of the people and not the leaders.

Hollande declares state of emergency and , "closes borders", whatever that means!

No Crefloors, I was dining, so I was under reacting.
I find your reaction a sordib and a stupid one in a time when people are dying by the dozens.

So thanks to give me a target to turn my anger to and go to hell.

Holy $hit. Prime suspect is ISIS (Daech in french) which is held responsible for blowing up the plane in Sharm al Sheik and another attack in Lebanon.

We'll know more tomorrow...

France is closed! Wow.

Good luck to everyone in Paris tonight... Any Fodorites there?

Yes there are...

Kerouac, Sarastro, Fuzzbucket and who knows who else.
And a lot of my colleagues and friends.

Going to Pzris on monday as every week - will see what happens.

Assault would be launched right now on the Bataclan.

If there are Fodor's posters who are traveling in Paris and France right now who come here looking for information, they should be encouraged to follow the news on the BBC online and The Guardian UK online.

People in Paris have been asked not to leave their homes or wherever they currently are. The gunmen are at large. (Some Parisians have taken to Facebook and Twitter to offer shelter in their homes for those stuck in restaurants, etc).

Significant military presence has been sent into areas of Paris where it is believed the gunmen might be. Anyone in Paris should be prepared to follow instructions from authorities instantly, and have your passport with you.

Hopefully there will be a fast and least painful resolution to this situation. But people must take maximum caution.

Also hopefully the Paris residents who regularly post on Fodor's will soon show up to reassure us they are safe.

My heart goes out to all in Paris.
A terrible tragedy for all the citizens of Paris and for the beautiful wonderful city of Paris.
I will pray for all and hope this madness ends soon and those responsible are apprehended.

There is a significant hostage situation in the concert hall - more than 100 people - and per the news a few moments ago they are hearing automatic fire from inside.

I think it will be many hours before this has been sorted out - but fear this is a major tragedy that may well affect life in paris in many ways.

Heartfelt thoughts from Boston Ma USA

My heart aches for Paris.

Thoughts and prayers for the people of Paris.

My heart is breaking for the people of Paris.

This is a horrific nightmare. My heart goes out to all the families suffering and to everyone in Paris.

Watching from Australia in horror, poor poor Paris and its people - my thoughts are with you. Hoping for as swift a resolution as is possible :(

So sick about this latest horror. My love and condolences to the people of Paris and to anyone who had a loved one in this despicable mess. Paris is still my favourite city in the world!!!

Les Halles Mall? They mentioned shooting there. We always take the metro in the mall. Just horrible. Prayers for Paris.

I can't speak for all the "usual suspects" on this forum, but I believe that most of us were safe in our own beds when the attacks took place. The people I've heard from are all fine.

There are lots of sirens in the Marais (probably ambulances and police vehicles) but otherwise, the streets are deserted.

We'll know a lot more tomorrow morning. The "live news feeds" so far have been pretty contradictory, so I would recommend not becoming obsessed by them.

There has been a mention that the French borders are now closed.

Anyone planning to arrive on Saturday or afterwards should definitely check with official US government websites and stay in touch with their airlines.

Better to do that then waste time on travel forums or social media, where people will just be making "educated guesses".

That should read "official government websites", obviously.

So so so sad.

News reports that I have read suggest that the "closing" of borders simply means that the previously control-free Schengen borders are now being controlled and monitored, as much to keep the culprits from escaping as to prevent any more bad guys entering. I don't think that "closing" the border means that all traffic will stop.