Book claims Macron has a suburban refuge if unrest threatens the Elysée

A new book by investigative journalists claims that President Emmanuel Macron has a secret refuge in the Paris suburbs to use if the Elysée Palace is threatened by rioters. The account comes amid nationwide protests over wages and education, and describes how French officials have prepared for the possibility of severe civil unrest ahead of the next presidential election.

The authors say the planning was partly prompted by the 2018 Yellow Vests uprising and draws on lessons from riots in 1934. They report that Paris police chief Patrice Faure has held meetings about insurrection risks, while intelligence and police have practised responses to electoral interference and cyber-attacks. A forecast of 60,000 protesters on 17 October was far below the half a million who reportedly turned out.