Shops across French cities brace for protests with barricades and closures

As a nationwide protest approaches, retailers in major French cities are taking defensive measures to deter anticipated looting. In Paris, the prefecture altered the march’s itinerary at the last minute, leading shops along the former route to install planks and shut their doors. Video footage shows barricaded storefronts in Bordeaux’s central shopping street, where merchants cite recent pillaging incidents.

Marseille’s main commercial artery also features boarded windows and signs announcing closures. In Lyon, the entire place de la République is reported to be sealed off, while in Rennes, shop staff admit they are uncertain about what to expect and many have opted to remain closed. Authorities have announced a security presence along the revised routes, but the precautionary actions underscore widespread apprehension among local businesses.