The Comédie-Française closed in anticipation of “access difficulties”. While opponents of Emmanuel Macron’s pension reform hold their breath while awaiting the decision of the nine “wise men” of the Constitutional Council, the theater near Place Colette preferred to close its doors for the evening. The performances of Côté de Guermantes and Chien this Friday are cancelled.

The Constitutional Council, which must deliver its verdict at 6 p.m., is located close to the theater, in the first arrondissement of Paris. The district, where demonstrations are prohibited for the day, was surrounded by the police. Access to the Palais-Royal, the Louvre, rue de Rivoli and the Comédie-Française are blocked by dozens of police. A riot wall was also erected on rue de Montpensier.

Two plays are cancelled: Le Côté de Guermantes, directed by Christophe Honoré at the Salle Richelieu (place Colette) and Chien, a show by Raphaëlle Saudinos and Véronique Vella, performed at the Studio-Théâtre. Spectators can already ask for a refund of their tickets. The performance of the show Théorème / I feel a heart to love the whole earth, at the Vieux-Colombier theater, in the sixth arrondissement of Paris, is however maintained.