Overview

• 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.