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Original poster

French Fuel Strike

30 replies

FrancesNiadova · 22/05/2016 20:32

We're going over at half-term & I wondered if anyone who was over there had a better handle on the situation than our non-existant news. Thanks

OP posts:
frenchfancy · 23/05/2016 20:27

West France was particularly badly hit at the weekend. We couldn't get fuel from Friday through to this morning, but the police freed a blockade which has released supplies so we are now ok for a while.

It all depends on where you are going. At the moment Brittany and Normandie are the worst affected areas. No area seems to be completely dry but rationing is in place (we could only get 30€).

I think the situation could change very quickly, it could all be over by tomorrow, but it is currently spreading to Paris which is when people will start to sit up and take notice. (The reason your news is non existent is because Paris is ok).

Whatever happens I would recommend you fill the tank in the UK even if fuel is more expensive.

Original poster
FrancesNiadova · 24/05/2016 06:36

Thanks FrenchFancy we're doing the tunnel then driving to near La Roche sur Yon. We might be able to get there, just, but would need diesel immediately when we do. Let's hope it's over soon.

OP posts:
frozentree · 24/05/2016 08:09

West of Paris here - no petrol in the small village garage but larger garages seem fine. You might have to queue tho'...friends waited around 15 minutes yesterday.

Ancienchateau · 24/05/2016 09:03

Unaffected, currently, here 100 miles south of Paris.

frenchfancy · 24/05/2016 09:06

We are not that far from La Roche sur Yon. This morning it looks like more than half of the local stations have fuel. If you are driving from Calais make sur you come the Rouen/Le Mans/ Angers route, and fill up any time you see an open station.

AndersArms · 24/05/2016 10:02

We're also going Dover - Calais for half term. Family in France have suggested we just keep an eye on things and make a decision later in the week - my pessimistic French uncle thinks it could go on for some time and get worse before it gets better - he thinks the dockers will join in and cause massive disruption. But I am heavily pregnant and think family are concerned about me being stranded in particular.

samlovesdilys · 24/05/2016 20:01

We are worried but monitoring...planning to drive down to dordogne...anyone know if it is easier/more difficult to get hold of diesel??

AndersArms · 24/05/2016 20:03

We're trying to change our booking - looking at Holland or Germany possibly.

TellAStory · 24/05/2016 21:57

It is getting worse not better............... we are going to Disney Paris on Saturday for a week, we have enough fuel to get there but need to refuel to get home.

www.thelocal.fr/20160524/how-to-deal-with-petrol-crisis-if-youre-coming-to-france

frenchfancy · 25/05/2016 06:57

Things are not getting worse. The authorities are clearing the strikers daily and supplies are getting through. Our local supermarket didn't even have a queue yesterday. The main difference is that Paris is now being affected so more stations are concerned - but the figures show those stations low not just those that are empty.

The advice given in that article is good - fill up in the UK and top up whenever you can.

TellAStory · 25/05/2016 08:18

Glad to hear that supplies are getting through!

samlovesdilys · 25/05/2016 18:28

See similar thread on AIBU...

Humphriescushion · 25/05/2016 18:31

Only one delivery locally today for us ( south of france) and queue very very bad for it. All other petrol stations have had nothing today or yesterday.

Mistigri · 25/05/2016 19:58

We're in southern France near Toulouse and there was no diesel to be had anywhere yesterday (most stations still had petrol). Today there have been some deliveries - there are still queues but it's more due to panic buying than an actual shortage apparently.

brittanyfairies · 25/05/2016 20:09

It's not good at all, I queued for over an hour today and people were fighting in the queue. We were limited to 30 litres, the same garage was dry at 4.00 this afternoon. Before today the last time it had fuel was Thursday. Me and my colleagues were driving to work on fumes. I live in southern Brittany. At the moment everyone is texting each other as soon as we hear of a service station with petrol. It was announced on local radio that one particular supermarket was getting a delivery today, when I drove past at 7.45 this morning the queue was about 1/2 mile long. The delivery didn't get there till 11. Another local town apparently had a 6 mile queue for the one station with a delivery today. Colleagues were saying a woman on the news had sold a five gallon jerrycan of petrol for 20 euros to someone who desperately needed it.

sunnydayinmay · 25/05/2016 22:35

Brittany - are you anywhere near Carnac? Going to be an interesting half term break for us, I think!

brittanyfairies · 26/05/2016 05:21

Yes Sunny I'm in Vannes so not that far from Carnac. On the plus side the weather has been lovely this week, so it's not such a bad time to be stuck on the beach and the beach at Carnac is very lovely.

This part of France is very badly affected by the fuel shortages.

frenchfancy · 26/05/2016 06:42

Interactive map www.ouest-france.fr/economie/transports/penurie-de-carburant/penurie-de-carburant-le-point-ce-mercredi-carte-interactive-4250821 showing which stations have fuel. It isn't complete - there are at least 5 local stations not showing - but it gives an idea as to which areas are worst affected.

Map is from the region west France paper so may not be at all accurate for the rest of the country.

sunnydayinmay · 26/05/2016 07:50

Brittany we know Vannes well, but only tend to go when it is raining. Smile

Hmm, we're still heading over, but all plans to explore/birthday on Quiberon beach might be put on hold...

Bigbagofchips · 26/05/2016 11:29

We are due to fly to Dinard (near St Malo) on Sunday and pick up a hire car with a full tank of fuel. I've just phoned the car hire desk at the airport who have assured me that the car will still be available with a full tank and we will be able to get to our cottage and back on a tank. So unless things drastically change for the worse before then we are going to risk it. There might be a French air traffic control strike 3 - 5 June so that's then another thing to worry about........

jenpetronus · 26/05/2016 16:04

It seems to be a bit easier down here today (I am near Vannes too) All fuel stations that I have passed have been open, thankfully, although with queues, but not massive ones. Hope that reassures anyone on their way!

Bigbagofchips · 26/05/2016 16:14

That is reassuring Jenpetronus. We are heading down to near Josselin and my parents are there already. The tanker got through to the local filling station this morning so that was also reassuring to know!

sunnydayinmay · 26/05/2016 17:07

Good news indeed. Off straight from school tomorrow.

Original poster
FrancesNiadova · 26/05/2016 22:20

FrenchFancy how is the situation in La Vendee today? We´re due to go over on Saturday.

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