Locations: Paris, Champs-Élysées. Travel interruptions due to SNCF strikes. Demonstrations throughout France.
Event: The Arab football (soccer) cup final between Algeria and Tunisia occurs on Saturday, December 18, in Qatar, and will be shown on television at 4:00pm (Paris time). Large gatherings of fans from both teams are expected on the Champs-Élysées around 5:30pm, which may result in unrest. The police will establish a security perimeter in the immediate vicinity of and along the Champs-Élysées from 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 19, 2021. American citizens are advised to avoid the Champs-Élysées area.
Also, due to SNCF strikes, TGV and TER services (among others) linking Paris with west, east and south of France may be impacted throughout the weekend. Delays and cancellations are expected.
Additionally, smaller demonstrations (see below) are expected throughout the country:
Saturday, December 18
PARIS
Place de la Concorde towards Gare du Nord via Place de Clichy and Barbes, at 3:00 p.m. – International Day of Migrants
Place du Palais Royal towards Place Pierre Laroque, at 2:00 p.m.; march begins at 3:00 p.m. – Against the sanitary pass/Florian Philippot
Porte de Clichy towards Place de la Republique, at 2:00 p.m. – Against Sanitary Pass/Gilets Jaunes protest
Place de la Bourse towards Hopital St Antoine, at 10:30 a.m. – Against Sanitary Pass/Gilets Jaunes protest
Place Denfert Rochereau, at 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – against vaccination campaign for children/state of health emergency
STRASBOURG
Place de la Republique, at1:30pm to 5:30 p.m. – Collectif Anti-pass 67
LYON
Metro Brotteaux, at 2:00 p.m. – Against the sanitary pass/“Lyon for freedom”
Place Massena, at 12:00 p.m. – Against the sanitary pass/“Les Patriotes”
Place de la Comedie, Place Louis Pradel, at 2:30 p.m. – International Day of Migrants
MARSEILLE
Vieux Port, at 2:00 p.m. – Against the sanitary pass
La Canebière, at 2:00 p.m. – International Day of Migrants
BORDEAUX
Marché du Grand Theatre, at 4:00 p.m. – International Day of Migrants
Place de la Bourse, at 2:00 p.m. – Against the sanitary pass
RENNES
Place de la République, at 3:00 p.m. – International Day of Migrants
TOULOUSE
Place Arnaud Bernard, at 11:00 a.m. – International Day of Migrants
Sunday, December 19
LYON
Marché de Noël, 13 rue Cuvier, at 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Against the sanitary pass/“Lyon for freedom”
Actions to Take:
- Avoid the areas of the demonstrations
- Exercise caution if in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests
- Monitor local media for updates
- Be prepared for disruptions to public transportation in areas of the protests
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Keep a low profile
U.S. citizens may monitor English-language French media at the following:
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Paris, France
+33 (1) 43 12 22 22
CitizenInfo@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Marseille, France
+33 (1) 43 12 22 22
CitizenInfoMarseille@state.gov
U.S. Consulate General Strasbourg, France
+33 (1) 43 12 22 22
USAStrasbourg@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
France Country Specific Information
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