French Gas & Strikes

We are planning a driving trip in Brittany plus Paris including a train ride in April and have been thinking of postponing it. This gas shortage may be the final straw! I had read something about it earlier. Thanks for the head’s up!

Oh dear. I’m leaving in 3 weeks for France :-(

The fuel strike is a thing of the past. There may be short term localised shortages, but things are 90% back to normal.

I was in Brittany last week, there were a handful of closed gas stations but nothing major, and no huge lines in the ones that were open. The prevalence of closed gas stations seems higher in/around Paris though, maybe 25% from a small sample.

May is in a while... and if changing the trip already makes you lose money, I suggest you stay put. At worst, perhaps opt to pre-purchase the fuel so that it does not matter if you are unable to refill the tank when you return the car.

Hello Balso,
Thanks for your reply. We will be in the south, in Provence, on the coast and inland. It's mostly not long distances,
and what you say has reassured me somewhat. I really feared long lines at gas stations, because I've seen this happen
here, and it's a nightmare. I'm hopeful that the French do not want their tourist season soured because of this. I hope
someone in the south of France responds................of course it's a month away and anything can happen.

I'll be driving in France this weekend. I've been reassured by what I've seen. Strikes happen in France, and if one of the refineries strikes there will be less of some fuel for a short period. The cheapest places often have the longest queues, same here in England.

So go to one without a queue and pay a few cents more. Fill up when you have half a tank or a bit less - no stress.

Lucky you to be on the Riviera. I'd love to be. Stay away from Monaco/Nice for the Grand Prix week at the end of the month.

There is no fuel shortage - there is plenty. Just if there's an issue you might have to be flexible for a day or two.

Strikes are part of the world now in Europe. Italy, Germany, France, England all have strikes. Just have a plan B.

You don't say where in the south of France you will be - it is a big place. But if you are in the Nice/Monaco/Menten area just pop across to Italy if you are uncomfortable. If you are in the Toulouse area pop over to Spain.

You'll be fine

Hello Nigel,
Well, you have very good advice and I do feel reassured. We will be coming to France via Italy and going to Nice,
the second week in May, then to Avignon, after, on to Arles and Aix and from each of these, doing many day trips out
to various places. I think your strategies will work. And at first, we can pop over to Italy for gas. And it will be well worth paying a few cents more to get it and go! I have a greater understanding of what to expect, from your response.
This New Yorker thanks you again.

We were in France March 26-April 2. We traveled from our home base near Disneyland to Chartres, Rouen, Reims, and Fontainebleau. Had no problem getting gas at stations at plazas on the autoroutes (toll roads). A bit higher than in other places, perhaps, but convenient.

Just back from Normandy and was in Brittany in March, no queues and no problems. A few bin bags in Le Hauvre, but nothing to worry about

There's no problem with diesel at the moment, but Sp95e10 is a bit patchy, and Sp98 is a day to day prospect. Yesterday nowhere in the Loire Valley (that I could find) had SP98.

Gasoline (i.e. not diesel) availability is also a bit patchy around Paris, but not too bad. 95 octane is available in most stations and I haven't noticed long lines. All gasoline-fuelled rental cars will take 95 even if it says to use 98.