Paris, once a beacon of culture and European sophistication, has become an epitome of France’s failed migration policy. The case of the Gaîté Lyrique Theater, occupied for nearly three months by hundreds of immigrants, is one of the most salient examples of this situation, now almost at a point of no return. What began as an act of solidarity has turned into a dead-end scenario where violence, disorder, and economic ruin define the fate of this historic establishment.
On December 10 last year, around 250 immigrants, supported by pro-immigration organizations, forcefully took over the Gaîté Lyrique Theater. What was initially presented as the voluntary providing of humanitarian refuge quickly turned into an illegal occupation that completely paralyzed the venue’s operations. Loyal to a progressive ideological line, the theater’s management decided not to evict the occupants. However, the situation soon became unsustainable: scheduled events were canceled, economic losses reached hundreds of thousands of euros, and the venue’s security was severely compromised.
Over the months, the number of occupants has grown to 446, many of whom have been identified as adults despite claiming to be ”unaccompanied minors.”
The situation poses a serious and imminent danger to employees,” the theater’s administration declared in an official statement. A theater worker, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: “We cannot continue under these conditions. It’s not just about the theater; it’s about the safety of all of us who work here.”
On February 26th, the theater’s administration announced that it could no longer guarantee the building’s management, maintenance, or operation. In a desperate plea for help, management reported worsening violence inside the theater and declared that the establishment is in serious and imminent danger.” As a result, employees invoked their right to withdraw, leaving the venue without any operational management.
The economic impact is also devastating. According to management estimates, accumulated losses exceed 700,000 euros. “Not only have we lost revenue, but the theater’s reputation is at stake,” a representative stated. This crisis has also affected nearby businesses, whose owners have complained about rising insecurity and decreasing customer flow.
A symptom of a greater problem
The case of Gaîté Lyrique Theater is not unique. Similar incidents are happening in many other European cities, including in Barcelona and Berlin, where cultural venues have been occupied by migrants.
“The government has abandoned cities in handling this crisis,” Léa Filoche, deputy to Socialist Anne Hidalgo in the Paris mayor’s office complained. But accusing the government of inaction is hypocritical. Anne Hidalgo’s Socialist administration of Paris has demonstrated complete ineffectiveness in managing this crisis. Instead of seeking realistic solutions, they have chosen to evade responsibility and blame the state for its “lack of interest” in the immigrants’ situation.
What the leadership of Paris, and those of many other Western European cities, are unwilling to confront is the root cause of the problem: a failed immigration policy driven by an idealistic approach to mass migration that ignores its real consequences on large European cities.
It remains uncertain whether the police will intervene to evict the illegal occupants or if the venue will simply be abandoned to its fate. What is clear is that this situation is unsustainable and represents a turning point for both Paris and France. “If we allow this to continue, we are sending the message that anyone can occupy a space without consequences,” a security official warned.