With the holiday season approaching—a particularly important time for retailers—stores are counting on a surge in customer traffic. Following the looting and vandalism that occurred in the capital on October 17 and 18, several Parisian businesses sought support from the government. In response, the government decided to relax, on an exceptional basis, the rules governing Sunday closures for certain Parisian businesses.
This measure, which complements the economic support measures already announced, involves granting “temporary exemptions” from the regulations on Sunday closures. But specifically, which businesses are affected?
What types of businesses, and in which arrondissements?
Food retailers and department stores will be allowed, on an exceptional basis, to open on Sundays in eleven arrondissements of the capital: the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, and 20th.
This decision comes in the wake of particularly severe damage: as of October 28, the City of Paris had recorded 451 vandalized businesses, some of which were looted and others damaged. This is enough to jeopardize many businesses just a few weeks before a particularly strategic sales period.
Three additional Sundays to help revive business
So, how long will business owners be able to take advantage of this exemption? The measure allows for three consecutive Sundays of exceptional opening, starting November 8, 2026. The affected businesses will therefore be able to welcome customers on November 8, 15, and 22, inclusive.
And the measure may not stop there. The prefecture has indicated that the program could be expanded to include other business sectors that request it.
This option specifically addresses the needs of business owners who wish to offset, at least in part, the losses resulting from the damage they suffered. With Christmas and the end-of-year holidays approaching, this period represents a key sales opportunity: a chance for the affected businesses to recoup some of their lost revenue and prepare as best they can for the weeks ahead.
Sources: Le Parisien, City of Paris