What To Expect Traveling To Paris For The Saints Game

(KMDL-FM) For many Louisiana NFL fans, this upcoming weekend was supposed to be the perfect culmination, bringing together Louisiana's past and present. The New Orleans Saints of the National Football League have a game scheduled in Paris against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. For many, this was the excuse they needed to finally make the trip to see one of the world's greatest cities. Except there's a bit of a security and safety issue in Paris.

a tall metal tower — Photo by Amelia Cui on Unsplash

It is not uncommon for there to be protests in major cities such as Paris on almost every weekend. But this time, the protests are a lot larger, and they involve a lot more of the French population. So, while we might be visiting to watch a sporting event, the people of France are taking to the streets to let their voices be heard.

Why Are People in France Protesting Ahead of the New Orleans Saints Game?

The protests center around the cost of living, inflation, education, and public services or lack thereof. There have been protests in the streets for about three weeks now, and several thousand people have been arrested. Some of the protests have been quelled with stun grenades and tear gas.

Unfortunately, that could be in the same neighborhood as the stadium where the Saints and Steelers are scheduled to play. The Stade de France in Saint-Denis, a northern Paris suburb, has actually been a focal point for local unrest, and there have been blockades.

Those planning on using public transportation or taxi service should know that protests can disrupt the availability of those services. Meanwhile, the official NFL stance and the stance reflected by the New Orleans Saints are "business as usual". Neither the league nor the team has reported any disruptions in planning for Sunday's game.

soccer stadium during daytime — Photo by Marcos Moraes on Unsplash

The United States Department of State has placed the area under a Level 2 Travel Advisory. That means "Exercise Increased Caution," which you should do when traveling in any major city anywhere in the world. In addition to the potential for protests, the Paris streets and tourist areas are well-known hot spots for pickpockets.

The Biggest Threat Saints Fans and American Tourists Face in France

They will also steal your telephone if you hold it out in front of you while taking a grandiose selfie; be mindful of that. And my favorite tip from the Department of State: avoid protests. Unless you're protesting; that's always a good idea in my book.

And if you do have travel plans that involve you and an airplane, take a minute and peruse this list and see if you don't meet all of them; if not, some of these people on your next adventure.