French riot police fire teargas at fuel tax protesters outside Paris auto show
Riot police used teargas and water cannons to disperse yellow vest demonstrators near the Paris Motor Show, as protests against fuel tax rises intensified in late 2018.
French riot police deployed teargas and water cannons to disperse crowds of yellow vest protesters outside the Paris Motor Show as demonstrations against rising fuel taxes escalated in late 2018. The clashes, which took place on a Saturday in November, formed part of a nationwide protest movement that brought thousands into the capital and saw major streets, including the Champs-Elysées, locked down by authorities.
The "gilets jaunes" or yellow vests, named after the high-visibility jackets French drivers must carry, began as a protest against fuel tax rises but quickly expanded into a broader movement against President Emmanuel Macron’s government. The cost of diesel in France had risen by about 23 percent over the previous year, reaching an average of €1.51 per litre. Macron’s government had raised hydrocarbon tax on diesel by 7.6 cents per litre and planned further increases in January, sparking anger among drivers and rural communities.
Clashes outside the Paris Motor Show
Police cordoned off central Paris and set up metal barriers to prevent protesters from reaching key sites, including the area around the motor show and government buildings. Officers searched bags and confiscated items such as masks and helmets. By mid-morning, authorities had made nearly 400 preventative arrests across the city. The first use of teargas came as police pushed demonstrators away from the Champs-Elysées, where protesters had gathered with placards and slogans denouncing taxes and government policy.
The heavy police presence included armoured vehicles, rarely seen in the city, as well as thousands of officers and gendarmes. Authorities aimed to prevent a repeat of previous weekends’ violence, which had seen cars torched and shops looted. The unrest led to the closure of major stores, museums and even the Eiffel Tower, with business owners boarding up windows in anticipation of further clashes. Public transport and key roads were disrupted, and Ligue 1 football matches were cancelled as a precaution.
Impact on the Paris Motor Show and city life
While the Paris Motor Show itself remained a focal point for the car industry, the surrounding protests and security measures overshadowed the event. Access to the show was restricted, and visitors faced delays and heightened security checks. The wider disruption affected retailers and hospitality businesses during one of the busiest periods of the year. Many shops closed or displayed yellow vests in their windows in an attempt to signal solidarity and avoid damage.
- Police made around 400 preventative arrests in Paris during the protests.
- Authorities deployed 8,000 police and gendarmes in the capital, with 89,000 mobilised nationwide.
- Shops, museums and public buildings closed to avoid damage or looting.
The yellow vest protests continued to challenge the French government throughout late 2018, with the fuel tax increases acting as a catalyst for broader discontent. For the motor industry, the unrest highlighted the sensitivity of fuel pricing and taxation, especially for diesel drivers and those in rural areas who rely heavily on their vehicles.
The events around the Paris Motor Show demonstrated how quickly a policy change can spark wider social unrest, drawing in groups far beyond the original protest organisers and causing disruption to both the automotive sector and city life.
