A: You can’t.
Most tourists find it very strange that there aren’t any trash cans on the most visited street in Paris, the Champs Elysées. The Champs Elysées starts at the Place de la Concorde, near the Louvre, and runs to the Arc de Triomphe.
Most tourists find it very strange that there aren’t any trash cans on the most visited street in Paris, the Champs Elysées. The Champs Elysées starts at the Place de la Concorde, near the Louvre, and runs to the Arc de Triomphe.
This is where American Troops marched to celebrate the liberation of Paris (take that Russia). At one time, the 17th century, it was gardens, but now is home to flagship stores like Louis Vuitton, Adidas, and Nike. It also has cinemas and restaurants, and yes, a McDonald’s. It hosts the annual Independence Day Parade, is lit up like Christmas for Christmas, and is now the third most expensive piece of real estate in the world.
So why no trash cans?
After the Islamic terrorists’ bombings in the metro (the subway system in Paris) in 1995, it was decided that if there were no place to hide bombs, they would be no more bombs. Thus it was decided to take all the metal trash cans out of the city and replace them with plastic bags. The French government also decided to take all the trash cans off the Champs Elysées because it was the most visited street in Paris. All this was accomplished under the Plan Vigipirate, which was created in 1978 after terrorist activities in Europe.
It established 4 threat levels: yellow, orange, red, and surrender. Just kidding, the highest threat level is “run for your life!” Sound familiar? Under this plan France has not seen a major terrorist act since 1995.
Note: The last terrorist activity was the second round of presidential elections in 2002 when Jean Marie Le Pen (equivalent to David Duke in the US; no immigrants allowed!!!) was voted into the second round of elections. More on that later.
So the next time you want to throw away your filet of fish wrapper, don’t expect to do it on the Champs Elysées. It’s for your own good.
So why no trash cans?
After the Islamic terrorists’ bombings in the metro (the subway system in Paris) in 1995, it was decided that if there were no place to hide bombs, they would be no more bombs. Thus it was decided to take all the metal trash cans out of the city and replace them with plastic bags. The French government also decided to take all the trash cans off the Champs Elysées because it was the most visited street in Paris. All this was accomplished under the Plan Vigipirate, which was created in 1978 after terrorist activities in Europe.
It established 4 threat levels: yellow, orange, red, and surrender. Just kidding, the highest threat level is “run for your life!” Sound familiar? Under this plan France has not seen a major terrorist act since 1995.Note: The last terrorist activity was the second round of presidential elections in 2002 when Jean Marie Le Pen (equivalent to David Duke in the US; no immigrants allowed!!!) was voted into the second round of elections. More on that later.
So the next time you want to throw away your filet of fish wrapper, don’t expect to do it on the Champs Elysées. It’s for your own good.
4 comments:
As your first commentor, I welcome you to the blogging world! Now that that is done, I must say that I love the biking pic. Take care!
Thanks Dave! The biking pic is from the "route du vin" (wine road) in Alsace near the German border. The only way to properly see France in on 2 wheels!
great blog!! next you can write about shrimp n grits...
thank you for explaining that!!! i have been on the champs-elysees several times with friends looking for a trash can and the first one isn't till almost concord!
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