The wave of protests in France that has been going on for weeks is mainly directed against the pension reform, which raises the retirement age from 62 to 64. Although this has been confirmed by the French Constitutional Council and has now come into force, the unions are not giving up yet and are calling for the measures to be withdrawn.
Train: strikes also affect TGV traffic
French trade union and social organizations have called for new national strike days for Friday April 28 and the public holiday of Monday May 1. The railway is once again particularly affected.
The effects on international travel should be limited given the experience of recent strikes. Participation in strikes has recently fallen sharply.
Current information can be found on the website of SNCF* or Deutsche Bahn* (if cross-border connections are concerned).
Metro, ferry, bus and plane strikes
Damage is also possible in local public transport, particularly in the Parisian capital, but also in other metropolises, as well as disruption of air traffic and ferries to Great Britain and destinations in the Mediterranean.
In the past, air traffic often affected the important hubs Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, but recently also the airports of Bordeaux, Toulouse and Nantes.
Passengers should check their flight status and contact their airline if necessary. When you arrive at the airport, you should allow more time. Protesters continue to block access roads.
Possible bottlenecks at gas stations
The Federal Foreign Office points out that as a result of the strikes there could also be restrictions on the supply of fuel to filling stations at ports and refineries. Wait times at the pump must be taken into account.
If you want to take fuel in a spare container, be aware that a maximum of ten liters is authorized in France. So far, however, no large-scale bottlenecks have been reported.
Air traffic: what you need to know in the event of a strike
According to information from the Federal Foreign Office, the specific disabilities caused by the announced strikes will only be known 24 to 48 hours before the start of the strike. Transport companies usually provide up-to-date information on their websites.
traffic jams and roadblocks
If strikes take place, this can also have a major impact on drivers. Road closures and massive traffic delays* can then occur in major cities. This was the case for the major actions in March, particularly in Île-de-France and other major cities.
