France Protests Art Basel
People enter the Paris' Grand Palais hosting Art Basel art fair Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 after planned anti-government protests prompted organizers to cancel their weekend program.
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French authorities have announced the deployment of 70,000 law enforcement officers nationwide to prevent violence during planned protests on Saturday. This move aims to avoid a repeat of last week’s unrest. Major Paris museums, including the Louvre, will be closed. Demonstrators, including students and labor union members, are protesting high living costs. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said that helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons are being deployed. Last week’s protests turned violent, with fires, looting and clashes with police. The Art Basel Paris event has also been affected, with organizers canceling the weekend program due to safety concerns.
