Court backs Paris Christmas market decision

A French court has ruled backed city authorities' decision to cancel the Christmas market on the Champs-Elysées

A judge at the tribunal administratif de Paris ruled that market organiser Marcel Campion's request to have the decision overturned was 'inadmissable' because it was filed on November 6, "after the contract expired on October 12".

Although the decision can go to appeal at the Conseil d'Etat, it signals an end to hopes that the fair - which attracts 15million visitors - will go ahead this year.

The dispute between Mr Campion, the so-called 'king of fairground workers' and City Hall over the decision to scrap the market he had organised for the past nine years led to two days of protests by fairground workers, including go-slows that caused huge traffic jams.

Speaking after the court's ruling, Mr Campion said: "I am surprised at this attitude of justice that plays on commas and dates. With the right, there is no humanity."

Mr Campion brought the case after officials in Paris voted in July to take advantage of a two-year break clause in the latest agreement between the city and the fair's organisers.

The contract for another popular attraction operated by Mr Campion, the Ferris Wheel at Place de la Concorde, is up for renewal in 2018. Elected officials are due to vote on Monday whether to renew the deal.