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How to best handle protests and strikes within the next few weeks in Paris?

Posted by (NJ) on

Hello, my daughter and I are getting ready for first trip to Paris. I've seen coverage of the recent protests and just saw an update by Antoine from Les Frenchies that a national strike is scheduled for 11/5, which will be our last full day in Paris. We are staying in the Latin Quarter. I had planned on visiting montmartre that day but now will be reworking the itinerary and may have to end up skipping that area on this trip, as I am assuming transportation from Latin Quarter to Montmartre will either be difficult or impossible on that day. Here is a brief look at our itinerary, I'd really appreciate any advice on how we can best avoid negative impact to our mother daughter trip from the protests, riots, or strike.
Arrival day 11/1, stay and explore the Latin Quarter, depending on energy levels Musee Cluny, Pantheon, or Jardin Luxembourg
11/2 Musee L'Orangerie and Eiffel Tower
11/3 Palais Garnier, Galleries LaFayette, Covered Passageways
11/4 We have tickets for Saint Chapelle and Notre Dame, then spend rest of the day in Le Marais
11/5 Had planned to spend morning in Montmartre and afternoon/evening in Saint Germaine. Looking for a better way to spend this day due to the strike.

Thanks to anyone who knows the city or maybe has been there during strikes or protests who can share advice that can help me to still make this a great trip for my daughter and me!

Posted by
10363 posts

Flexibilty will be the key. Paris is a massive city and I doubt the strikes and protests will impact your trip. Simply pay attention to the news

Posted by
3319 posts

The website you reference tends to sensationalize the news and overhype their information. These are the facts as presented by https://www.cestlagreve.fr/, the best source for strike action (in French only).

Of all the information provided, I believe that primarily this affects you and other tourists in Paris on 5 November:

Transports urbains et ferroviaires : des perturbations sont possibles
sur les bus, métros, tramways, trains régionaux et, éventuellement,
certaines liaisons nationales. Aucune ligne précise n’est confirmée à
ce stade.

Firstly, taxis and VTCs (Bolt, FreeNow, Uber) do not appear to be included in any action.

Secondly, public transportation in Paris on that day may be effected, but if it is at all, only partially. You should still be able to make Montmartre. From St. Germain (note: no final "e") to the Latin Quarter is a walk. I would even walk from Montmartre to St Germain, but I walk everywhere.

Lastly, public transportation will be complicated if strikes do occur and it is raining on the 5th. Plan accordingly and follow the information on one of these apps:

  • Île de France Mobilités
  • Bonjour RATP
  • Citymapper

Other tourists might be affected, primarily by this statement from C'est la grève:

Aérien : des retards ou annulations sont possibles en cas de préavis
chez les compagnies, dans les aéroports ou le contrôle aérien. Aucun
programme de vols supprimés n’est connu.

If you are traveling by air on 5 November:

  • International inbound flights to CDG/ORY are generally not affected, unless you are connecting elsewhere.
  • International outbound flights from CDG/ORY are generally not affected by controller actions but schedules may be modified for those connecting through CDG/ORY or by airport ground operations.
  • Check with your air carrier for updated information.
Posted by
973 posts

We have been in Paris during various strikes and protests including the Yellow Vests. We never felt unsafe; the bigger consideration was transportation with bus/taxi routes being impacted and some Metro stations being temporarily closed. If Montmartre is important to you for this visit, can you switch it with something closer to where you are staying?

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