Paris & France Transport Strike Hedge Pointers

Ashley, thank you so much for your and Andrew's heroic efforts in keeping us all updated. I've read your updates every day although I was not traveling at the time.

And thanks for this summary on things to know in advance and to use as work-arounds.

Thank you, Ashley, for putting together this thoughtful piece. I bookmarked it for future reference.

"Metro 1&14 are strike-proof and most tourist sights are on M1 line. Consider lodging near Metro 1&14"

I stayed at a hotel within walking distance from M14, and made transfers to M1 at the Chatelet station to reach tourist site such as the d'Orsay.

" It is easier for SNCF workers to strike in December/January than other time of year."

So I see. Had I known this, I would have avoided booking myself for a trip in early January. Then again, the weather was mild and the crowds were less. It's a trade off.

I would add one thing: The G7 taxi app works well -- download the app if you do want to use their service; you can book in advance and, for me at least, the driver came through promptly and courteously on a very early morning ride to CDG.

Thanks again, Ashley!

Ashley, your tireless efforts have helped so many of us, we are grateful for your wisdom and kindness. Bookmarking this post for future reference, and hoping you’ll be heading off to somewhere warm to relax (Sevilla?). Thank you!

Ashley, thank you so much for all your and Andrew’s vigilant updates. I am bookmarking this topic. Hopefully when I finally travel to France next year I won’t need the info but better to have it and not need it than the opposite. Your efforts to keep us informed are greatly appreciated. Thank you again. Kathy

Ashley, it is truly extraordinary and far *above and beyond, * the information and the details and the background that you have taken all throughout the strike (and before and after!) to share with the community to arm them with awareness and options.

The same goes to Andrew.

Hats off to you both — or as the French say: Chapeau!

Note also that this last strike was a pickpocket's dream. I even know a local who lost her wallet on a crowded bus and had trouble reporting it because the lines were blocks long at the police station. Crowded situations make it easy for thieves unless you know how to be pickpocket proof. 'being alert' is pretty useless; only stowing the money where thieves cannot get to it will work.

Hello all,
I read that last week Macron invokes special powers to push through the pension reform without a vote. Any insights into how this may play out over the next few weeks? Parts of our group are scheduled to arrive next week in Paris.

We discussed this at dinner last night and expect there will be disruptions. Flying over tomorrow :--)

Bets, safe trip.

Thanks, Ashley for the updates. Much appreciated.

The anti-pension-reform unions are naturally upset by the government's surprise move to force through its pension reforms by decree. In February, the coalition of anti-pension-reform unions had announced 3 nationwide strike days in March (3/3, 3/8, 3/31).

*3/3: coalition called for locally-organized mobilization/actions "including strike". As of 3am on 3/3, still no info re the extent of participation and what sectors would be affected.

*3/8: coalition's press release provides no info re what action they might take.

*3/31: 2 media outlets reported (before the pension reform bill was forced thru) that the 3/31 nationwide strike includes transport sectors (SNCF, RATP, air/sea transport, local public transports). This is definitely a strike day, but impacted sectors may change now that the pension reform is a done deal. I am not posting this info on forum until there is concrete confirmation of transport strike from coalition/unions press releases.

News sources:
*https://www.linternaute.com/sortir/magazine/1400252-greve-sncf-et-ratp-nouvelle-mobilisation-mardi-31-mars-2020/
*https://www.cestlagreve.fr/greve/generale-31-mars-2020/

Thank you AshleyMIA for such detailed and useful information. We'll keep checking since it seems quite volatile right now.