Almost immediate chaos....

Rude awakening for thousands of Paris tourists arriving for Olympics

The first day of the Paris Olympics security perimeter led to almost immediate chaos

By Grant Marek

Eight days ahead of the start to the 2024 Olympic Games, the Paris security perimeter around the Seine River, the site of the opening ceremony’s boat parade, officially went into effect Thursday morning. The scene could only be described as chaotic.

Thousands of people trying to cross the Seine — on bikes, in cars and on foot — were flummoxed by a blockade of security checkpoints along the river restricting access for Parisians and tourists alike unless they had a preapproved QR code that justified the need for travel within the perimeter. No signs were at any of the security checkpoints explaining the closures or security pass program; instead, Paris police officers individually spoke to a stream of confused pedestrians simply trying to reach their destinations on the other side of the river.

Those who didn’t have the security pass were directed to two bridge crossings on either end of the Seine, miles apart, and all were forced to cross on a single, tight, temporarily gated sidewalk that felt like a Disneyland line from hell.

The expectation, clearly, was that hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors were supposed to do extensive online research on security perimeter dates and interactive maps. That didn’t go over well with some at the security perimeter who could be heard understandably pleading “but the Olympics don’t start for nine days!” (They actually start July 26.) Others went on their phones to frantically apply for the QR code, unaware the vetting process could take several days.

Google and Apple maps didn’t get the security perimeter memo, as they led countless people straight to closed checkpoints, with no information regarding the closures or required passes.

The perimeter was also mired by holes. Frustrated locals could be seen walking and biking through gaps in the fence. Even worse, crossing the street at the southern end of the Pont Notre-Dame left you behind the elaborate security perimeter, free to walk along nearly the entire length of the river — sans security pass.

Landmarks surrounding the Seine were also severely impacted — the amphitheater outside the still-under-construction Notre Dame Cathedral is completely fenced off, and the entirety of the Louvre is fenced in and requires a reservation to even gain access to a view of its signature glass pyramid. A half-mile line formed in the beating sun midday Thursday.

The security perimeter along the Seine is scheduled to last through the opening ceremony on July 26 and then be dismantled.