Here a link for the article from yahoonews:

news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070509/wl_nm/france_sarkozy_strike_dc

It mentioned that protesting had been going on for 4 days already, and this article focused on students protesting in the Latin Quarter on Blvd. St. Michel. Is this just hype, or is it really getting bad?

I'm concerned since I believe, Sarkozy will be elected into office on May 16, and we will be arriving into Paris on May 21st. I'm guessing there will be even more demonstrations/protests going on when he is sworn in. I'm sure the media exaggerates things, but I am concerned if it's escalating
into a big issue.

I don't know if it's hype, but protests in Paris have been going on a long time for various things, so I wouldn't say you should be concerned. I certainly wouldn't be, but I've been there at various times when protests have occurred.

What would your options be? Cancel your trip? Would you advise someone to cancel a trip to Washington DC because of the periodic protests against the war? They happen every few months, and I live there. I don't leave town.

Last year I was in Paris during the March riots and demonstrations. The entire area around the Sorbonne was baricaded and there were extra troops in the streets. I was staying right there in the 5th - and yet there was absolutely no impact on my trip.

Another time way back in the 70's I was in Paris during really serious student rioting/demos, and again absolutely no impact.

In fact I think there has been something going on almost every time I've visited Paris.

I would no worry about it . . . .

No, we wouldn't cancel our trip, but I did notice that alot of the protests were focused either in the Bastille area or certain areas of the Latin Quarter, and perhaps, we would think before heading out to these areas.

I know many seasoned world travelers would not even bat an eye, but I have only left the US once(back in 2002), and our friend who is coming with us, has never left the US. Along with that, we are all females, and always try to use good judgment so that we are never in a dangerous situation.

Thanks Janisj - hopefully you won't be in Paris when we are

I didn't cause the riots - honest

Paris is a big city. You can easily avoid areas of trouble. They probably won't be demonstrating around museums and tourist areas. Your hotel probably has CNN, its the European version and will contain up to the minute info about what is going on. You might run into a transportation strike and that can be a bummer, but not the end of the world. Take a tourist sight seeing bus or walk, instead.

Transportation strike?

I would think that you would become aware of any undesirable activity soon enough to deviate from that immediate area (by the sound, thickening crowds, more police..). In other words, you can skirt around any protest groups and go elsewhere.

We have happened onto protests on several occasions. Though they all were obviously peaceful at the moment, we always skirted around them rather than heading into/through them.

Another time we were at the Arc de Triomphe and it was very apparent "something was up" with unusual security, dogs, machine guns...we decided to pass on going up that night rather than feel nervous about it and not enjoy the experience.

I think if you use common sense and go with your gut feeling, you'll be fine.

Thanks travenut and klondike!

Anna1013: Yep - now you have transportation strikes to worry about. OK - last year in March there was a one day strike that affected museum staff and transport workers. But not the long distance trains - so that day I went to Chartres.

Strikes are a way of life in many parts of Europe - if there is one it will not ruin your trip. Stuff happens . . . .

Janisj,

You mean strikes in general right? I thought kleroux was referring to an actual strike that will be happening, not just the prospect of one.

OK,now we know why the police presence around the Maubert/Mutualite metro stop (right around the corner from our apartment).so I guess we will walk out the other way down to the Seine from here....

Just go about your plans.

As someone mentioned, should you wander near any protests, there will be a huge police presence, and you can just avoid the area.

Daka,

You mentioned police presence around the Maubert/Mutualite metro stop - if we wanted to go to the Maubert Market would we be hindered from doing so?

Only if there is a riot in progress. They try to keep innocent bystanders and tear gas apart.

Things were calm last night. I wouldn't really expect much activity until the legislative elections.

Thanks Kerouac,

When will the legislative elections take place?

Forgot to add...

Kerouac,

Do you really think it will not be bad when he takes office on May 16?

They are always protesting in Paris about something or other. Hardly a day goes by when there is not some gathering or march or strike or some such lark.

A lot of cars get burned regularly as well.

However, if you are walking around Paris, you'll rarely see any disturbance and often the marches or protests are quite jolly affairs.

We're not talking Beiruit, after all, it's Paris.