visitors “hesitate to come now”, regrets the mayor of the town

The Palace of Versailles was evacuated four times in six days. François de Mazières calls on Franceinfo on Friday for those who are behind this “idiocy” to stop.

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Visitors wait after a false bomb alert at the Palace of Versailles, October 17, 2023. (YOAN VALAT / MAXPPP)

Visitors “hesitate to come now” at the Palace of Versailles, the mayor of the commune of Yvelines, François de Mazières, alerted Friday October 20 on franceinfo, while the establishment was evacuated four times in six days because of false bomb alerts. If the phenomenon continues, “this could have consequences on attendance”continued the elected official.

“It poses very big problems in terms of operation for the castle,” explains François de Mazières, while visitors to the Palace of Versailles, often foreigners, “have been planning their trip for a long time” and have “reserved their time slot.” Between 10,000 and 15,000 people visit the establishment every day.“These are also financial losses and concerns for the world of tourism”continues the mayor who assures that the consequences are “heavy”. Each evacuation also mobilizes “lot of energy”and many law enforcement agencies.

18 people arrested in 2 days

The chosen one calls those who are at the origin of these “idiocies” to stop. “They must measure the consequences of their action so that it does not happen again”he insists. “Some must not have realized that they risk prison.” The people behind these false reports risk up to two years in prison and a fine of 30,000 euros.

18 people have been arrested by the police in the last 48 hours, “mainly minors”indicated Gérald Darmanin on BFM TV on Thursday, after the numerous bomb threats that occurred in particular at airports and at the Palace of Versailles and even at the Louvre Museum.


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