NEWS
The Eiffel Tower and Several Paris Landmarks Set to Close on Saturday
Source: iStock
Tourists looking to visit the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre on Saturday will be out of luck with French authorities making the decision to close dozens of museums, shops and tourist sites due to fears violent protests against French President Emmanuel Macron will take place once again.
According to Reuters authorities, fearing a repeat of last weekend’s violence, have requested dozens of shop and restaurant owners around the Champs Elysees and Bastille areas of the city to close on Saturday. Paris Police have also requested local authorities remove anything that could be used as projectiles.
“We cannot take the risk when we know the threat,” Culture Minister Franck Riester told RTL radio, Reuters reports.
At least four first-division soccer games set to take place this weekend have also been cancelled. The Paris Opera has cancelled planned performances, two theatres also plan to close and two music festivals taking place this weekend have been postponed.
According to the Associated Press the protests began three weeks ago in response to green taxes on diesel that had pushed up the cost for many drivers, with another hike planned for next month. The subsequent riots were the worst the country had seen in decades. Earlier this week President Macron surrendered and cancelled the fuel tax hike, however protests are still being called for by many across social media who are fed up with the increased cost of living both in Paris and across France and feel “eilitist” Macron is “out of touch” with the common people.
