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Why Getting Around the Capital This Weekend Is Going to Be a Nightmare Again

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The Editor

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This Sunday, October 11th, Paris's sports season will get a proper kickstart with the start of the Paris 20km race. A legendary event that cuts right through the western side of the capital, which unfortunately won't come without consequences for our trusty old metro.

For months now, Paris's keen runners have been going all out. Week after week, they've trained, followed strict diets, cut back on evenings out, with just one goal in mind: to conquer the Harmonie Mutuelle 20km of Paris this Sunday, October 11th. And it's clear to see, it's going to be intense. Not only for them but for all Parisians who hope to get around one way or another in the capital…


Restrictions everywhere

To ensure the safety of all runners, as well as supporters who've come out in droves to cheer them on, the police prefecture has announced closing off a number of roads, both in parking

parking restrictions affecting traffic, and this, sometimes starting Friday, October 9th. So, from the start of the weekend, no parking on Avenue Joseph Bouvard. On Sunday, it will be forbidden to park on Quai Jacques Chirac, between Avenue de La Bourdonnais and Rue de la Fédération, and on Avenue de Suffren, between Quai Jacques Chirac and Rue du Général Lambert. As for traffic, Avenue Joseph Bouvard will once again be the first to close its doors starting Saturday the 10th at 8am. The next day, say goodbye to the Iéna Bridge, Varsovie Square, Quai Jacques Chirac, between Avenue de La Bourdonnais and Rue Jean Rey, Quai Branly, Avenue des Nations Unies, as well as Georges Pompidou Road and Quai Louis Blériot!


Limited backup plans

And unfortunately, the headaches don't stop there, since no fewer than 3 metro lines will be inaccessible. On one hand, the traditional line 13, closed until noon, which will be joined this Sunday by line 11, under the same conditions. On the other, line 6, also closed entirely, but this time all day long. And since its route in western Paris is close to that of the race, you can't even count on a replacement bus before 3pm, when traffic reopens! In each case, throughout the entire duration of the disruptions, station access will be closed, and no correspondance won't be guaranteed ! Come on, good luck to the athletes… and to everyone else !