They were in the hundreds by early evening.
Young people - and not so young - gathered this Friday evening on the Esplanade des Invalides, in Paris, to celebrate the end of the 2021 baccalaureate exams like the project X evenings of last week.
A grouping more or less announced on social networks and anticipated by the police, who came in large numbers to frame the event.
Shortly before 10 p.m., the crowd was therefore dispersed by the CRS while restrictions related to the fight against Covid-19 are still in force in France.
According to our journalist on site as well as videos relayed on Twitter, the young people moved in droves, sometimes running in all directions, around 9:30 p.m.
Part of it headed towards the Eiffel Tower, without recreating a real crowd.
An hour later, calm had completely returned to the Esplanade des Invalides.
#Invalides shortly before 9:30 p.m., the CRS are trying to push back the revelers on one side and the other of the esplanade @le_Parisien pic.twitter.com/Qgy2yYO7Cn
- Auguste Canier (@gustocanier) June 18, 2021
A flashmob was notably improvised in front of the Air France premises, shortly before the police used a strident siren to scare the young people away.
Bravo to load young #invalides
Shame !!!
They did nothing again.
pic.twitter.com/haBWRLqc05
- Autumn flower (@_fleurdautomne) June 18, 2021
Some personalities present near the Esplanade reacted strongly to this evacuation.
“All these young people who found themselves with pleasure forced to leave the Esplanade des Invalides!
With the #FDOs that drive them!
But what regime do we live in?
What is Parliament doing in the face of these attacks on public freedoms?
Reacted the former centrist senator Yves Pozzo di Borgo.
Also read “Project X” at the Invalides: how are these wild parties organized?
Repulsed, people remain near the rue de Grenelle, watched by the FDO #Invalides @le_Parisien pic.twitter.com/X8CGGOBaK2
- Auguste Canier (@gustocanier) June 18, 2021
