Snowstorm

Snow is not in the nature of Paris.  Rarely are Haussmann’s covered white.  The average snowfall is about eleven inches.

Therefore, the idea of having a lot of snow equipment does not make sense.  One day of inconvenience is on average cheaper than the one time use of the machines and supplies to avoid it.

Enter the worst winter in 30 years.

Airports close, busses stop service, and traffic crawls.  Walkways become bastions of danger.  The subway is your only refuge for mobility.

On a lighter note, creativity increases.  Rakes, hoes, and brooms become impromptu snow shovels.  However, like a wrench pounding nails, the substitution leaves much to be desired.

During this year, CDG closed for a full day.  Many travelers get stranded to the point of missing Christmas at their intended destinations.

So the lack of snow was a blessing when arriving to CDG this year.

However, there was one snag, just to remind you of your geographic location:  Baggage.  Handler.  Strike.

This was a short-lived strike with longer consequences.  During the interim of the strike, it started snowing.  So even though the tossers went back to work, delays began compounding.  In line with the above statements on equipment, CDG has two de-icing machines.

Thus the perfect window of clear skies was wasted.

Murphy certainly wrote his law after visiting France.