The Belgian royal couple's visit, the first to France in over twenty years, will be marked by a number of highlights in Paris. The visit, which underscores the importance of Franco-Belgian relations, kicks off on Monday October 14 with an official ceremony at theArc de Triomphe. The Prefecture de Police has announced that security measures will bein place, resulting in minor traffic disruptions and the closure of metro stations.
Traffic around theArc de Triomphe will be particularly difficult from Monday morning. Since 10pm on Sunday evening, parking has been banned on several strategic streets in the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements, including rue de Tilsitt and rue de Presbourg. The Champs-Élysées traffic circle will also be affected. Parking will resume after the official ceremony, scheduled to end around midday on October 14.
At the same time, there will be temporary closures on the metro. George V station (line 1) will be closed during the ceremony, and certain exits from Charles de Gaulle-Étoile station (RER A, lines 1, 2 and 6) will be inaccessible. Users are therefore advised to plan alternative routes during Monday morning.
In addition to traffic measures, additional security measures will also be in place around the Arc de Triomphe. The authorities are announcing security searches and a ban on the carrying and use of certain items, including firearms and pyrotechnics, within an extended perimeter. These measures will last from 8 a.m. to midday.
Despite these limited disruptions, most traffic in Paris should be back to normal by early afternoon, once the ceremony is over. Stay tuned, however, for traffic updates from official sources to avoid any disruption to your travels.
This historic visit is a fine opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties between Belgium and France, while underlining the importance of security measures in the capital for such international events.
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