Paris riots and non-refundable stays
Dec 8, 2018, 9:02 pm
#31
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Dec 8, 2018, 9:09 pm
#33
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Dec 8, 2018, 10:14 pm
#34
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While I realize that the majority of Paris is not affected by the protests, as a tourist, a lot of the sites I would want to visit are closed. Maybe that is one of the things the OP is referring to as well. My guess is that this was done on purpose by the protesters to increase pressure on leaders in France.
The closure of major tourist attractions in Paris could definitely affect a vacation. I went to Berlin a couple of years ago, and planned day trips via train to Potsdam and Poland. Then when I got there, there was a Deutsche Bahn strike. While I appreciate there were bigger issues at stake for the locals, it was a big disappointment to me. The train I was going to take from Amsterdam to Berlin was cancelled, I had to buy a last minute flight at top prices, and I wasn't able to go to Poland.
The closure of major tourist attractions in Paris could definitely affect a vacation. I went to Berlin a couple of years ago, and planned day trips via train to Potsdam and Poland. Then when I got there, there was a Deutsche Bahn strike. While I appreciate there were bigger issues at stake for the locals, it was a big disappointment to me. The train I was going to take from Amsterdam to Berlin was cancelled, I had to buy a last minute flight at top prices, and I wasn't able to go to Poland.
I received an email notification from Ryanair on May 6 evening, 36 hours before our flight CTA to MXP on May 8th, no reason given. Went on Google flight and I found out there was NO flight that date - normally there are 4 Ryanair and 5 EasyJet flights flying this route daily between May and Sept. Frantically searched alternative from every possible city pairs I could think of for May 7th, a day before as our MXP-JFK was in the morning of May 9th. Almost had settled AZ had flights to LIN but it costed 650 euro per person. AF had a CDG connection that was at 450 euro... Then Google flight suggested me to use Turin because it is one hour train to Milan... It did not dawn on me during the panic despite we actually had been in Turin a few years ago and later went to Milan by train...
The CAT-FCO-TRN was a "bargain" at 165 euro per person... My heart was pumping watching the circle kept circulating on the screen after I entered my Chase Visa payment information... It was such a relief to see the PNR together with the itinerary information popped up on the iPad...
Travel insurance does NOT cover new costs, only the already incurred costs. So thanks to this strike we incurred additional 500 euro cost - the new air tickets and the train tickets to Milan Centrale and MXP, plus lost our planned day at Catania plus the BnB cost as it had passed the cancellation deadline and the owner would not budge.
Ryanair did refund the airfare of $90 total, and Chase credit card travel interruption coverage paid for the $85 BnB cost after an annoying process of claim approval.
A few years ago we were almost stranded at Monaco by the SNCF impromptu strike and would have missed our cruiseship docked at Cannes...
While the locals have their reasons to strike to cause interruption to service therefore putting pressure to the government, as tourists we often became the victims of such tactics and suffered financial losses that no travel insurance would cover, not to mention the loss of the opportunity to see places as a trip is all about.
Just look at the closure list - virtually all the iconic places are closed.
Therefore I feel OP has very legitimate reason to post his concern, and should not be mocked about by those who currently live in Paris.
Dec 9, 2018, 11:13 am
#35
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Good lord, you guys, I really give up. They were asked to close for ONE, I repeat ONE day, Saturday. Today Sunday everything is open and fine. I had lunch at a restaurant just by the Champs, went to a dept store, walked around and everything is fine.
The manifestations are allowed ONLY on SATURDAYS.
If your trip happens to be on Saturday, plan on doing something besides the major tourist spots. Someone listed lots of fun places. Then Sunday go back to your normal tourist stuff.
I really do give up. If you can't get it that it is ONLY on Saturday then there is nothing else I can do to convince you. SMH.
The manifestations are allowed ONLY on SATURDAYS.
If your trip happens to be on Saturday, plan on doing something besides the major tourist spots. Someone listed lots of fun places. Then Sunday go back to your normal tourist stuff.
I really do give up. If you can't get it that it is ONLY on Saturday then there is nothing else I can do to convince you. SMH.
Dec 9, 2018, 12:58 pm
#36
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Just got back from a week in Paris (Ambassador Opera—great property!) and were not affected at all. Felt safe as always—safer than in most big US cities! We were not affected by anything and we were everywhere. Like any big city, just stay aware of your surroundings and move away from anything that seems off! We had a great time...again!
Dec 10, 2018, 3:24 am
#37
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Our family had 1 day in Paris (Saturday) scheduled after traveling through the Alsace area. The Sheraton CDG Airport did offer to let us cancel on a prepaid rate, but we decided to keep the stay but travel outside of Paris for the day. Thankfully, the Louvre proactively refunded our prepaid tickets.
Kudos to tacky Marriott to let people make adjustments. I also echo the sentiments to not let the news cloud opinions of Paris being generally safe.
Kudos to tacky Marriott to let people make adjustments. I also echo the sentiments to not let the news cloud opinions of Paris being generally safe.
Dec 10, 2018, 4:03 am
#38
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Just got back from a week in Paris (Ambassador Opera—great property!) and were not affected at all. Felt safe as always—safer than in most big US cities! We were not affected by anything and we were everywhere. Like any big city, just stay aware of your surroundings and move away from anything that seems off! We had a great time...again!
Did you see the Xmas windows of Le Bon Marché? Wonderful, dancing xmas trees. Not to be missed, even the jaded adults love it.
Am going to see the other 2 Grands Magasins today.
Dec 10, 2018, 7:12 am
#40
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So I did a media search. As far as I can tell no one was killed this weekend in the Paris Riots. I also saw no reports of the use of guns by those doing the protesting.
However, one person was found dead in Detroit, one person was carjacked and stuffed in a trunk and one young boy was shot in drive by shooting
I am going to Paris
However, one person was found dead in Detroit, one person was carjacked and stuffed in a trunk and one young boy was shot in drive by shooting
I am going to Paris
Dec 10, 2018, 10:30 am
#41
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So I did a media search. As far as I can tell no one was killed this weekend in the Paris Riots. I also saw no reports of the use of guns by those doing the protesting.
However, one person was found dead in Detroit, one person was carjacked and stuffed in a trunk and one young boy was shot in drive by shooting
I am going to Paris
However, one person was found dead in Detroit, one person was carjacked and stuffed in a trunk and one young boy was shot in drive by shooting
I am going to Paris
Come to Paris, you will LOVE the lights and the festive atmosphere, and on Saturday- if there are manifestations- then spend your day in Montmartre. If you need places to eat/drink let me know. Oh visit one of the secretive museums and enjoy the gardens. You will feel like you were transformed to Monet's era.
Dec 10, 2018, 2:00 pm
#42
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My sister was in a cafe in the 7th arrondissement on Saturday and had a 'yellow vest' guy walk up to the cafe and smash out a window.
I have pics of the cafe and the guy who smashed the window. A bit scary.
When it happens to someone you don't know it is different than if it happens to your own family.
I have pics of the cafe and the guy who smashed the window. A bit scary.
When it happens to someone you don't know it is different than if it happens to your own family.
Dec 10, 2018, 2:37 pm
#43
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Dec 10, 2018, 4:25 pm
#44
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My sister was in a cafe in the 7th arrondissement on Saturday and had a 'yellow vest' guy walk up to the cafe and smash out a window.
I have pics of the cafe and the guy who smashed the window. A bit scary.
When it happens to someone you don't know it is different than if it happens to your own family.
I have pics of the cafe and the guy who smashed the window. A bit scary.
When it happens to someone you don't know it is different than if it happens to your own family.
Dec 10, 2018, 7:15 pm
#45
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<div style="text-align:left;"><br /><br />That is completely understandable - anyone is going to take a lot more care when something affects them or their families personally. I am one of those people not personally affected (despite living in Paris) and do have to point out that same day as a window was attacked in Paris about 50 people were murdered in the US.</div><br />