Police Evacuate 450 Migrants from Paris' Gaîté Lyrique After Three-Month Occupation

The evacuation, marked by arrests and reported violence, leaves most migrants back on the streets with no long-term housing solutions in place.

The Gaîté Lyrique, occupied by approximately 450 migrants since December 2024, was cleared by police on March 18, 2025, following an official evacuation order citing public order concerns.
The operation led to 46 arrests and nine reported injuries, including seven migrants, one police officer, and one journalist.
Temporary housing solutions offered to the migrants were largely rejected, with only six individuals accepting placements outside Paris due to concerns over distance from ongoing administrative procedures and support networks.
The evacuation has reignited tensions between the City of Paris and the French State, each blaming the other for failing to address the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly unaccompanied minors.
The migrants, many of whom claim to be minors seeking recognition of their minority status, have returned to the streets, highlighting broader debates on France's migration policies and state accountability.