"Cheese Boards" Ignite Chaos.. Violent Fight Shakes Agricultural Exhibition in Paris

The festive atmosphere at the French agricultural exhibition turned into a battleground after an unprecedented nighttime brawl broke out, using cheese boards and cooking utensils as improvised weapons, resulting in the arrest of 15 individuals and injuries to several police officers.

From Tasting Stalls to a Fighting Arena

According to French media, the fight began around 6:30 PM between some stall owners and visitors to the exhibition, quickly escalating into a flurry of punches and kicks, with heavy cheese boards being thrown and sharp tools raised before the situation was brought under control.
Footage broadcast by BFM showed scenes of chaos within the exhibition halls, amidst panic among the attendees.

Minor Injuries and Arrests

The police confirmed that several injured individuals are receiving treatment for what were described as minor injuries, while 15 people were arrested in connection with the incident. Some visitors indicated that excessive drinking may have contributed to the rising tensions.

A Global Event with Local Flavor

The exhibition is held annually at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center west of Paris and is considered one of the most prominent agricultural events globally, attracting around 600,000 visitors and over a thousand exhibitors, showcasing thousands of animals, food products, wine, and agricultural equipment.

Background of Broader Tensions

This incident comes amid charged atmospheres in the agricultural sector in France, with rising protests from farmers against declining profits, stricter environmental regulations, and foreign competition.
The "Flying Cheese" incident may seem amusing on the surface, but it reflects deeper frustrations within a sector that is a cornerstone of the French economy and identity.