As usual before each risky demonstration, the police came to warn the traders.
"They told us to close the gates, we are also going to make sure that nothing is left lying around here", explains Stéphane, this head of a real estate agency located a few tens of meters from the Place de la Nation, which will mark the end of the demonstration on Thursday 19 January.
On the boulevard du Temple, a stone's throw from the Place de la République in the 11th arrondissement, the planned start of the protest march against the pension reform, the traders all still remember the violence of the Kurdish demonstration just before Christmas. .
“Our window had been broken,” explains Yannick.
It cost us 500 euros out of pocket.”
Right next door in a clothing store, Sacha remembers the panic of the staff who experienced the events from inside the store.
“The police forces tell us 90,000 people so we know that it can easily degenerate.
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"We understand people's annoyance, but breaking up shops is not the solution either," worries Mylène, shop manager.
Off camera, many traders admit their total exacerbation.
"We can't take all that anymore, it's costing us exorbitant sums in repairs, not to mention the days when we can't work," confides this motorcycle salesman.
We installed iron curtains but that's another lost day for the trade.
Find our video at the top of the article.