Gilets Jaunes
We returned from France via Cherbourg in mid-November last year, the weekend of the first 'Gilets Jaunes' protests. It was a mild inconvenience as they let us through roadblocks to get to the port. It escalated later and since then it appears to have got nasty, with the original limited aims rather submerged in the process. Information about the continuance seems hard to come by, reporting mainly on Paris events. What is the situation as of now? Does the absence of information suggest that it's rather fizzled out? Every concern seems to be about what happens after Brexit, but it will be no us getting there with all relevant documentation if we're to be stuck at every roundabout!
Comments
-
We have a house in France, and according to friends, there is still the odd focus of protest going on - in Toulouse and in Paris (as you say) and in one or two other cities. The current protests are seen to be due to anarchists and those with a bigger agenda, rather than the original spirit of the movement which was broadly supported by a great number of French people. However, there is still a lot of underlying anger amongst the French about the economy, taxes, prices, jobs, pensions etc. The French economy is in real trouble and it is affecting real people - once they get back out of their homes into the warm sunshine when the weather improves who knows what could happen.
We were supposed to be in France now but circumstances at home have postponed this, but we are going back as soon as we can after a family wedding on the 30th March, Gilets Jaunes or not! It won't put us off going at all. I think, as you said it will be no more than 'a mild inconvenience' - and a smile and a toot as you drive past will probably elicit a cheer!1 -
Gilets Jaunes still quite active in cities. Read www.connexionfrance.com for latest news
1 -
Perhaps the answer is to wear it rather than drape over the back of your seat.
1 -
A contact in France remarks that protesters against economic conditions and fuel prices have destroyed or vandalised 75% of the roadside speed cameras - this allows drivers to go faster and thus spend more on fuel, will cost the country €500 million to repair the cameras, and has seen a January increase of 3.9% in road deaths.
0 -
I read La Provence newspaper most days and the Gillet Jaune actions seem to be mostly in the larger cities with a weekly, often Saturday afternoon march. There have been occasional and sporadic actions slowing down traffic at some Motorway junctions, but these can be avoided if you take a look at road conditions from Google Maps. Overall I would say its not something to cause too much worry for a tourist traveller.
1 -
We are going to France via St Malo, and don't expect any trouble in that area. But if we co come up against any Gilets jaunts demonstrations, apart from delays at road blockages, I don't anticipate any anger being directed at us - as English visitors, there is no cause for grievance either way.
0 -
We came back through France last week from Spain, using the west coast Autoroutes via Bordeaux, Le Mans and Rouen to the tunnel.
The only protest we saw was at a roundabout approaching Rouen, where there were a few very cold looking peeps more interested in warming their hands on the fire they had going, than stopping traffic.
Paul
1 -
Drove home from Spain in last 2 weeks and no problems with the protesters. Spotted a few "camps" at roundabouts that are still maned but none stopping the traffic. We went to Spain via Calais in mid December more protesters but again no problems and fuel prices still high, so that's a shame.
2 -
There was rioting in Le Mans a couple of days ago and the A28 autoroute on the north side of that city was blocked for a time. Anyone going that way needs to check locally. Things continue to flare up .
0 -
According to BBC website, it was french fairground workers protesting because the mayor had moved the area they could set up stalls away from the town centre. The rioting was yesterday (Monday), but the protests had been going on for 4 days.
We will be going thro' Le Mans Sun 28th April - hopefully!
0 -
just came up through France this week via Biarritz, Bordeaux, Royan, Nantes and then Cherbourg....not a hint of any issues, anywhere.
great weather, too..
2 -
Spent the weekend in La Rochelle which was the venue for a regional ‘manifestation’. There were about 200 cops in full riot gear like robocop - probably outnumbered the ‘gilet jaunes’ protesters. They were very intimidating especially the plain clothed ones with machine guns! Centre Ville was effectively in lock down and all the cafe tables & chairs taken inside. We saw the protesters who were a motley assortment of anarchists, great unwashed and ne’er do wells. Some fairly ordinary folks as well. There were some nasty looking characters amongst them wearing balaclavas seemingly looking for trouble. Thankfully the whole thing passed off without serious incident. Biggest problem was the inconvenience for visitors, train station was closed for several hours and buses from town centre cancelled - we had to walk 3 miles back to our campsite. It made me appreciate the relative calm of the UK and our low key policing.
0 -
Must be something about La Rochelle. Last time I was there, I passed one of their CRS guys patrolling with his dog. I'm not sure which one looked most likely to rip your throat out. Both looked pretty scary.
0 -
There were a group stood around near the slip road to jun 41 of the A9 near Perpignan on May 1st ( national holiday in France), but were just chatting to each other. No issues when we passed by to join motorway.
1
