On the eve of the kick-off of the Francophonie Summit, which will take place this Friday October 4 and Saturday October 5 in Villers-Cotterêts (Aisne) and in Paris, the Police Prefecture has set up, from this Thursday evening, a security device. Traffic disruptions are expected.
Starting this Friday, October 4, and for a period of two days, until Saturday, October 5, France is hosting the 19th Francophonie Summit, in Villers-Cotterêts, in Aisne, but also in the French capital , Paris.
Consequently, and for the smooth running of this edition, the Police Prefecture indicated, this Thursday, October 3, the establishment of a security system, which will come into force at night.
In its press release, the Police Prefecture informs that “traffic ban measures will be instituted on Avenue Winston Churchill in the north-south direction for the purposes of setting up the summit in Greater Paris”. This ban, valid from the night of Thursday to Friday, will remain in force until Saturday October 5 inclusive.
In addition, the Quai d’Orsay will be closed this Thursday “between the Pont de la Concorde and the Pont Alexandre III from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.”. Rue Esnault-Pelterie, in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, will also be closed at the same time.
Concerning the day of Friday October 4, the Police Prefecture advises, “as far as possible (…) to avoid the route taken by processions from Paris towards Villers-Cotterêts”. This axis extends from Place Saint-Augustin (8th arrondissement) and Boulevard Malesherbes (8th and 17th) towards Porte d’Asnières (17th), then the ring road and the A1 motorway.
Gatherings of a protest nature prohibited
Also from this Friday, heavy goods vehicles are prohibited from driving on the national road (RN) 2 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., from the intersection between the RN2 and the RN330 in the commune of Plessis-Belleville until the intersection between the RN2 and the RN31 in the commune of Soissons, in the direction Paris towards Soissons and, in the opposite direction, from the intersection RN2 and the RN31 in the commune of Soissons to the intersection between the RN2 and the RN31 in the town of Plessis-Belleville.
Saturday October 5, the Summit takes place at the Grand Palais in Paris. Therefore, the Police Headquarters recommends that motorists avoid the area. “An anti-terrorist protection perimeter (SILT) will be set up around the Grand and Petit Palais,” said the prefecture.
Within this perimeter, gatherings of a protest nature, the carrying, transport and use of fireworks, pyrotechnic articles, firearms, ammunition and any other object that may present a danger to the safety of people and goods are prohibited, as is access for dangerous animals.
