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Paris: papal crowds and cigarette butts
Pope Leo XIV brought the open-air Mass on Place de la Concorde to a close and is next due in Lourdes, RFI reports. For travellers in Paris, that means larger crowds near the Concorde and busy public transport around the event. Allow extra time, check metro and RER updates before you set out, and avoid crossing the area on foot if you are not attending.
Paris is also getting stricter about cigarette butts. Millions are dropped on the streets every day and the clean-up costs the city millions of euros a year, according to RFI. Authorities are threatening fines for smokers who discard them, and volunteers are helping with clean-ups. If you smoke, carry a pocket ashtray or use a bin. Do not stub out on the pavement, even outside a cafe.
Lourdes: plan ahead
Pope Leo XIV is next due to travel to Lourdes in south-western France, according to the same RFI live page. The visit will draw extra pilgrims and visitors. Lourdes is a major Catholic pilgrimage destination, so hotels and trains can be tight at short notice. Book accommodation and any rail tickets well ahead. If you are not there for the pilgrimage, consider a different day to avoid the crowds.
What this means for your trip
In Paris, use the Paris guide to plan around the busy central districts. Keep an eye on local transport updates and leave more time for simple journeys. For Lourdes, treat the papal visit as a crowd event, not a normal day.
Best tours and tickets in Paris
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Normandy D-Day Sites & Cemetery Day Trip from Paris with Lunch
Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise
Mont Saint Michel Day Trip from Paris with English Speaking Guide
Paris in A Day Louvre Eiffel Tower Notre Dame and Seine Cruise
Eiffel Tower Reserved Access Guided Tour with Optional Summit
Bateaux Mouches® Dinner Cruise on the Seine River in Paris
Another option: tickets on Headout
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Seine River 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise from the Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower Guided Tour by Elevator: Reserved Entry to the Summit or Second Floor
Frequently asked questions
Are there fines for dropping cigarette butts in Paris?
Will the papal visit affect travel to Lourdes?
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