On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Paris awakens to the sound of tractors rumbling through the streets. 350 agricultural machinery have taken over the capital in a
As of 7:50 a.m. this morning, the entire convoy has entered the capital. The first tractors, around fifteen belonging to the FNSEA and the Young Farmers, made their way through the Dauphine Gate early in the morning, followed shortly after by several hundred more vehicles. According to the Paris police prefecture, roughly 250 of them are now parked along the quai d'Orsay, where they are blocking part of the road up to the Pont de la Concorde for the rest of the day.
The route of this demonstration, authorized by the prefecture, takes participants along some of Paris's most iconic streets. The Champs-Élysées witness an unusual procession, with a symbolic passage through the Arc de Triomphe before heading down towards the quai d'Orsay and the National Assembly. This route has been carefully chosen to maximize visibility for their message and to directly confront political decision-makers.
Traffic in the capital is heavily disrupted this Tuesday. The Quai d'Orsay remains closed between the Alma and Concorde bridges throughout the day, forcing drivers to take alternative routes via the upper quays or inner boulevards. The 350 tractors parked along this major thoroughfare have brought the east-west axis of the lower left-bank quays to a complete standstill.
The 8th arrondissement, especially around the Arc de Triomphe and Place de l'Étoile, is experiencing significant traffic delays. Commuters heading towards the 7th arrondissement should expect considerably longer travel times, with traffic jams stretching all the way to Boulevard Saint-Germain. Porte Dauphine and Avenue Foch also remain heavily congested due to the movement of the last tractors entering Paris.
For those needing to drive through the city, we strongly advise avoiding the entire western sector, from Porte Dauphine to the Pont de la Concorde. North-south routes such as Boulevard Raspail and Rue de Rennes offer better options to bypass the blockade. Public transportation remains the most reliable alternative, with the RATP operating a normal service on most subway lines, particularly lines 1, 8, and 12 serving the area. However, some bus lines passing through these zones are experiencing delays.
Alongside the demonstration in Paris, the A1 motorway is experiencing significant disruptions. Around ten farmers are currently staging a blockade at the toll booth, an area that typically handles nearly 20,000 trucks each day. Bales of hay placed in front of the barriers are causing major delays, with traffic jams stretching endlessly as hours pass.
This closure, expected to last until Wednesday, particularly affects journeys to and from northern France. Drivers heading to Paris from Lille, Amiens, or Charles de Gaulle Airport are experiencing significant delays and should consider alternative routes via national roads. To plan your trip accordingly, check the latest traffic updates.
This protest aims to demand concrete and immediate actions to protect France’s food sovereignty. Farmers are raising alarm over the unfair competition caused by the trade deal with Mercosur, which would allow the import of South American agricultural products produced under less stringent standards than those required of French producers. They argue that the entire national agricultural sector is at risk due to this trade agreement.
Unlike other protest movements, this one is well-organized and operates within a clear framework. Farmers now know how to make their voices heard while staying within the bounds of the law. Dialogue with authorities remains ongoing, even as their demands remain firm.
This day of protests takes place against a backdrop of mounting tensions between the agricultural sector and European authorities. The tractors lined up along the Quai d’Orsay symbolize the frustration of farmers who feel increasingly squeezed between ever-stricter regulations and international competition they deem unfair. To stay updated on this rally and ongoing disruptions, follow the official accounts of FNSEA, the Ministry of Agriculture, and Sytadin for traffic updates in Île-de-France.
Parisians and residents of Île-de-France are advised to expect significant delays in the city and on the A1 motorway today and tomorrow. Authorities remain on high alert to ensure the protest proceeds smoothly, as it continues to make a strong impression.
Dates and Opening Time
From January 13, 2026 to January 14, 2026
