France Rail Strike... How concerned should I be

No one knows if the dispute will still be ongoing or have been settled 2 months ahead. Eurostar has seen some disruption due to the strikes, but hopefully they will get you there, albeit be prepared for some delays. There is no easy fix, sorry to say.

There's nothing planned for July. I don't think the issue will be settled but that doesn't mean that they will continue the strikes. There is always a way around anything. Some trains run on strike days, but not all. Buses, taxis, rental cars, flights are all options if the train you need isn't running.

The website TheLocal.fr (English language with French news) has published this image...

https://i.imgur.com/GtNy7cY.jpg

...showing the nature of the three days on / two days of strikes (in blue). Should that pattern continue unchanged (the unions unwilling to push their hand further, Macron unwilling to back down, but neither side conceding) then the strikes for the end of July will be on the 17th and 18th, the 22nd and 23rd, and (most importantly) the 27th and 28th of July (which includes the Saturday you are going to Belgium).

So: Eurostar from St.Pancras to Gare Du Nord should be unaffected for the 25th. Even on strike days, a good percentage of Eurostars have run so should the situation change, check on their website at https://www.eurostar.com/us-en/ for information nearer the date and plan accordingly.

As for the Thalys: this article...

https://www.thelocal.fr/20180413/french-rail-strikes-ease-as-macron-vows-he-wont-back-down

...posted on April 13th says "Eurostar services to London were operating normally and Thalys trains towards Belgium and the Netherlands were suffering only light disruption" ...so even if there's a planned strike day, you may have no problem whatsoever. As with Eurostar, best to check with their website at https://www.thalys.com/be/en/traffic-info nearer the time.

Hope this all helps.

(Former British railway employee, 1986-2001, including stints at King's Cross and St. Pancras).

I believe (maybe only anecdotally) that strikes are less likely during late summer when railway staff want their summer vacation, like the rest of France. They'd probably be more likely to resuming striking in September (if necessary).

I have done some research and I have concluded basically all of what you each have mentioned here, but am still a bit uneasy with the situation. Really hoping all is ok as I am not experienced with what to do if a strike stops the train. I am confident I can figure it out, but hoping I don't have to. Thanks for the replies.

Another question, if a strike effects our train, is there much assistance at the station for rerouting or help with my options, or are we "on our own" to find a way? I imagine there will be hundreds trying to find options right next to me, so the early bird gets the worm I suppose. I just want to be as prepared as I should be for an issue. Thanks.

My Parents are travelling in May and arrive during strike days- Ive already told them to either get a cab outside airport from cab line- set rate 50-55 euros to Paris city centre- or they can take a bus and then metro- if there are no trains (there might be one or two still running ReR- when they get thru immigration. I imagine all options will be crowded as everyone in the same boat.

Happy Travels💫✨