Market traders fight back as Paris cancels Christmas

THE Christmas market on the Champsélysées entices tourists with twinkling lights and mulled wine, but after its cancellation this year there is little cheer, with furious stallholders planning street protests from today.

Marcel Campion, who founded the market nine years ago, objects to a city council decision to cancel the event on the grounds that it sells inferior quality food, toys and trinkets at inflated prices that damage the city’s image.

Stallholders offered a range of culinary delicacies, with others selling costume jewellery and souvenirs of Paris such as miniature Eiffel Towers.

Mr Campion, 77, a flamboyant figure who is nicknamed the “gipsy CEO”, has vowed to lead protests by eight traders’ unions which he claims will “bring Paris to a standstill”.