France: Paris 2024 Paralympic Games to prompt heightened security and disruptions nationwide Aug. 28-Sept. 8

France will host the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Aug. 28-Sept. 8, prompting heightened security and localized disruptions in Paris, parts of the wider Ile-de-France region, and Chateauroux. Authorities will maintain an extensive and visible security operation to safeguard the events from various avenues, including terrorism, cyber threats, street crime, protest activity, and industrial action. Heightened security is likely at airports and other border controls throughout the period. Authorities have imposed road closures and traffic control measures to create security zones around sporting venues. Additional police and anti-terrorist military patrols are likely at transport hubs, tourist hotspots, and sporting events.

The Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics will be held along the Champs-Elysees (Avenue des Champs-Elysees) and Concorde Square (Place de la Concorde) from 20:00 Aug. 28. Around 65,000 spectators are expected to attend on Aug. 28. Road traffic around Champs-Elysees and Concorde Square will be restricted ahead of the event. Authorities will close the Champs Elysees-Clemenceau metro station from Aug. 22 until the end of the Paralympic Games.

The following extensive security zones will be in force Aug. 28-Sept. 8:

• Anti-terrorist protection perimeter (gray zone): This includes the Champ-de-Mars Concorde Square area, the Stade des Invalides, and the Grand Palais area, until the Champs-Elysees-Clemenceau metro station.

  From Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, only residents, professionals, and visitors with tickets for local attractions or an Olympic event pass (Games Pass) will be permitted to enter this area. Vehicle access will be largely prohibited; emergency services, security forces, and limited Games Pass holders will be exempt.

• Vehicular restriction perimeter (red zone): This includes all areas in the gray zone but extends further. Red zones will be implemented between the Tuileries and Franklin D. Roosevelt metro station, and expand on the Champ-de-Mars grey zone between Avenue Lowendal and the river banks. The red zone will be extended from 06:00 on Sept 8 to include areas of the 2nd, 3rd, 10th, and 19th arrondissements as well as areas of Aubervilliers, Saint-Denis, Le Bourget, Drancy, Bobigny, and Pantin.

  Only vehicles with prior authorization will be permitted to enter this area. A Games Pass will not be required, but documentation must be produced upon demand.

• No-Fly Zone: A no-fly zone will be implemented over Paris from 06:00 Aug. 26 until 23:59 Sept. 8. The area will cover all of Paris between the Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and the Toussous-le-Noble civilian airport, south of the city. Flights in this area will be regulated by the Civil-Military Coordination Center for Air Operations.

Officials in France have declared an elevated terrorist threat in recent months; the national threat warning is at its highest level since March. National security authorities have also noted significant levels of cyberattacks and attacks on critical infrastructure, which are exacerbated by international tensions. Activists have maintained a high degree of protest activity in recent weeks. Environmental and pro-Palestine protests and other political rallies will likely continue throughout the Games period. Labor unions may also continue to use the Paralympic Games' high profile to call for workers' strikes.

The sporting events will take place in multiple locations in Paris and in the wider Ile-de-France region around Paris. The para-shooting event will be held outside of the Ile-de-France region at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, 218 km (135 miles) south of Paris. A complete list of venues is available here.

Additional security measures will likely prompt delays and disruptions for spectators and travelers in the areas hosting Paralympic events. Increased scrutiny could prompt processing delays at airports and border crossings. Demonstrations and industrial action may cause additional impact throughout the period. Public transport schedules are likely to be revised to manage spectator numbers.