the Eiffel Tower, Grand Palais, Invalides and Place de la Concorde — will turn into playgrounds.

Parisians complain about everything all the time

People complain that the preparation has been engulfed in political chaos of massive scale. They mock the threefold increase in public transportation fares, the abrupt closure of metro stations, and the restricted access to the city center. They grumble about the rats seen swimming in the Seine. And express concern that the balconies of the historic Haussmann-era buildings along the famous river might not withstand the weight of the anticipated crowds gathering there to witness the opening ceremony.