Paris during a strike

verybizarre · 2023-02-13T18:12:40+00:00

So we're meant to be going to Paris on the 7th March and there is going to be a general strike on that day, with the unions saying they want to bring France to a standstill. I'm actually already in France and will be taking a domestic flight and my family are coming from England. We're all going to Charles de Gaulle. I don't know whether we should all change our flights to the 6th instead (it will cost me about €200 to change which is why I'm reluctant). Flights are all Air France. Secondly, if there's a strike then will the shops be shut? Not necessarily due to a worker shortage, but due to violence? If anyone has been to Paris during a general strike or any French MNers could advise, then that would be great. I'm British and just moved to France so still finding my feet 😬

notimagain · 14/02/2023 08:42

Having seen a few of these over the years and being a bit cautious I'd change plans but I appreciate that might be difficult.

What might go on in town is one for the Parisians really but as a general point until we hear more from the aviation sector syndicats I think you'd be wise to assume there's going to be some disruption to flights - both international and domestic.

For info our nearby regional airport (southern France) pretty much shut for a few hours during the last strike last weekend.

Have to add that last time I tried to drive around Paris during a major transport strike it was grim (as in grimmer than normal).....so even if the flights run travelling CDG into/out of town might not be fun.

Good Luck.

P.S. Are you are aware of the c'est la greve website?:

www.cestlagreve.fr/greve-generale-7-mars-2023/

Original poster

verybizarre · 14/02/2023 12:53

notimagain · 14/02/2023 08:42

Having seen a few of these over the years and being a bit cautious I'd change plans but I appreciate that might be difficult.

What might go on in town is one for the Parisians really but as a general point until we hear more from the aviation sector syndicats I think you'd be wise to assume there's going to be some disruption to flights - both international and domestic.

For info our nearby regional airport (southern France) pretty much shut for a few hours during the last strike last weekend.

Have to add that last time I tried to drive around Paris during a major transport strike it was grim (as in grimmer than normal).....so even if the flights run travelling CDG into/out of town might not be fun.

Good Luck.

P.S. Are you are aware of the c'est la greve website?:

www.cestlagreve.fr/greve-generale-7-mars-2023/

Thank you. I'm very torn about what to do just because of the cost of changing the flight. I'm leaning towards just taking the hit and changing it though, as I hadn't considered what the traffic would be like. I'm always on c'est la greve, checking for updates daily 😂I might wait until after Thursday's strike in the hopes that the gov't will drop the reform, and then make a decision. Thanks for your advice.

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greenacrylicpaint · 14/02/2023 13:04

standstill in france is standstill.
plus demonstrations.

reschedule if you can.

peacypops · 14/02/2023 13:08

I'm in a similar dilemma. Supposed to be flying to Paris with teen daughter this Thursday late pm. Don't know if flight will be affected or if I will be able to travel from airport to hotel even if we do get there. Don't know what to do!!

Spottypaperdoll · 14/02/2023 13:13

Hey
I went to Paris for fashion week in January when there was one day of general strikes (Thursday) some shops were open, some public transport was running, but not much, it was very quiet, it was all up and running the next day though.
I wouldn’t rearrange for one day personally, but that’s just me!

Frenchfancy · 14/02/2023 13:21

Paris during a strike is fine as long as you are prepared to walk.

Your biggest problem is going to be transport from Charles de Gaulle. I definitely wouldn't want to try that on a strike day. If you fly the day before make sure you can get into the centre before 7pm.

Gymmum82 · 14/02/2023 13:22

We fly to France on Friday. I wasn’t aware of this. Is there strikes planned then? Will we be affected?

Original poster

verybizarre · 14/02/2023 13:26

Gymmum82 · 14/02/2023 13:22

We fly to France on Friday. I wasn’t aware of this. Is there strikes planned then? Will we be affected?

Friday will be fine. There are only strikes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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Original poster

verybizarre · 14/02/2023 13:28

Frenchfancy · 14/02/2023 13:21

Paris during a strike is fine as long as you are prepared to walk.

Your biggest problem is going to be transport from Charles de Gaulle. I definitely wouldn't want to try that on a strike day. If you fly the day before make sure you can get into the centre before 7pm.

Why before 7pm? If I take the flight on Monday then it will get in at 7.55.

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notimagain · 14/02/2023 13:37

verybizarre · 14/02/2023 13:28

Why before 7pm? If I take the flight on Monday then it will get in at 7.55.

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Without being overly dramatic I think Frenchfanny has a point, and certainly when it comes to transport you do need to watch out for what might be described as wraparound...

As far as aviation goes if the relevant syndicats do decide to join in en-mass then for a Tuesday strike you might start to see some flights being cancelled from late Mon evening, and schedules not getting back to normal until late Wed AM...

All might become clearer nearer the day but that's not a lot of help if you are trying to really plan ahead.

Frenchfancy · 14/02/2023 13:46

I was coming back from Paris the day before the last strike. My train was cancelled as we're all trains after 7pm.

Original poster

verybizarre · 14/02/2023 13:58

Frenchfancy · 14/02/2023 13:46

I was coming back from Paris the day before the last strike. My train was cancelled as we're all trains after 7pm.

Ah ok, that's useful to know. This trip is turning into a bit of a disaster as I am working until 11am on Monday so I think I will have to try and get the day off and just fly out on Sunday instead as the flights are cheaper. I would just cancel the entire trip at this point but we have spent so much on it!

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Gymmum82 · 14/02/2023 14:37

verybizarre · 14/02/2023 13:26

Friday will be fine. There are only strikes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Show quote history

Thank you!

peacypops · 17/02/2023 07:47

Just to update for reassurance. My daughter and I flew from Manchester to Paris CDG yesterday afternoon on the day of the general strike. We had a slight delay (around half an hour) waiting to board flight but other than that everything went smoothly. Passport control was super fast and we were through in around 15 mins. We had pre-booked a car to pick us up to take us to the city and the driver was waiting at the terminal. Journey in to city (Le Marais) was 30 mins ish and no evidence of terrible traffic. I'm not sure if the strike was just not as widespread as previous ones but we certainly didn't notice any impact. Hope that helps those planning to travel x

notimagain · 17/02/2023 08:16

Others living here will perhaps have a different take on this but it was always understood AFAIK that yesterday's strike was designed to be a relatively low key one. I don't think any of the aviation syndicats (unions) such as the various crew ones or the ATC related ones decided to get involved and as you say there was relatively little disruption on the ground either.

The potential problem with March 7th is it is meant to be a much bigger campaigning day and it's hard to work out at this stage who will be involved.

Even if the dedicated aviation syndicats decide not to strike it only needs the CGT (roughly equivalent of the TGWU) to call for an all out effort and for example airports may end losing fire cover, security etc and then it all starts to fall apart.

TBH regardless of how it went yesterday it's really tough to work out what is going to happen on March 7th, certainly on the transport side of things, until maybe the day before the strike.

Original poster

verybizarre · 17/02/2023 12:19

peacypops · 17/02/2023 07:47

Just to update for reassurance. My daughter and I flew from Manchester to Paris CDG yesterday afternoon on the day of the general strike. We had a slight delay (around half an hour) waiting to board flight but other than that everything went smoothly. Passport control was super fast and we were through in around 15 mins. We had pre-booked a car to pick us up to take us to the city and the driver was waiting at the terminal. Journey in to city (Le Marais) was 30 mins ish and no evidence of terrible traffic. I'm not sure if the strike was just not as widespread as previous ones but we certainly didn't notice any impact. Hope that helps those planning to travel x

I'm glad it went well for you! Enjoy your trip!

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Original poster

verybizarre · 17/02/2023 12:27

notimagain · 17/02/2023 08:16

Others living here will perhaps have a different take on this but it was always understood AFAIK that yesterday's strike was designed to be a relatively low key one. I don't think any of the aviation syndicats (unions) such as the various crew ones or the ATC related ones decided to get involved and as you say there was relatively little disruption on the ground either.

The potential problem with March 7th is it is meant to be a much bigger campaigning day and it's hard to work out at this stage who will be involved.

Even if the dedicated aviation syndicats decide not to strike it only needs the CGT (roughly equivalent of the TGWU) to call for an all out effort and for example airports may end losing fire cover, security etc and then it all starts to fall apart.

TBH regardless of how it went yesterday it's really tough to work out what is going to happen on March 7th, certainly on the transport side of things, until maybe the day before the strike.

Yes, yesterday it was very quiet. They had a small protest at 6pm but that was it. I'm going to try to change my flight to one on the weekend before the strike, as I can just see the 7th is going to be a non-starter. Bit annoying as I've got to ask for the day off work now! Oh well, that's France I suppose!

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anomaly23 · 17/02/2023 13:42

There are always strikes in paris. Our flight home was nearly cancelled but went ahead last minute.