30 MAR 2023

Spring 2023 In Paris Expectation Vs Reality

AYAAN PAUL CHOWDHURY

the end of winter

Paris transforms into a new world as the winter months come to an end, and the flowers start blooming everywhere.

Photo: Getty Images

renewed life

The city comes back to life, with the crowds returning to its streets and the magic of Paris revitalised.

Photo: Getty Images

springtime attractions

The grey skies disappear, and the city is filled with the beautiful scents of springtime flowers, creating a delightful atmosphere.

Photo: Getty Images

a reality check

However, the Spring 2023 in Paris is quite a different picture of the city.

Photo: Twitter/hugh_mankind

viva la resistance

Paris has experienced an array of protests, with demonstrators blocking airports and railway stations and even setting the streets on fire.

Photo: Getty Images

a city in standstill

These protests have disrupted essential services, stalled oil and gas deliveries, and closed tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower.

Photo: Getty Images

strength in numbers

Over two million people participated in the strikes, with 1,19,000 people marching through Paris and its chaos flooding social media.

Video: Twitter/RadioGenova

the damage

More than 441 police officers were injured and 475 people arrested, placing renewed pressure on President Emmanuel Macron to find a way out of the conflict.

Photo: Getty Images

the new pension reform bill

The violence erupted in opposition to Macron's divisive new pension reform bill, which includes raising the legal age of retirement from 62 to 64.

Photo: Getty Images

forcing the bill

Macron forced the bill through parliament without a vote, invoking a constitutional article that curbs parliamentary oversight in emergency conditions.

Photo: Getty Images

postponing the royals

With the protests unlikely to go away unless Macron withdraws the bill, Britain's King Charles III has postponed a visit to Paris planned for this weekend.

Photo: Getty Images

a royal stay

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla were due to visit the Musee d'Orsay, lay a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe, and attend a lavish dinner at Versailles.

Photo: Getty Images

bad decision

This display of wealth, privilege, and power may prove in poor taste given the chaos erupting in the French capital.

Photo: Getty Images