Strikes and demonstrations in Paris

The last few weeks there has been one strike/protest a week, announced about a week ahead of time.

As for protests, if you avoid the specifically scheduled protest route for a given day, you are unlikely to have any idea that any protest is going on.

The next strike day/protest day is scheduled for Thursday the 13th. Then we will see what the constitutional council announces on the 14th, and what the unions call for from there.

There will definitely be demonstrations on May 1, because as Labor Day, it's a traditional day for demonstrations.

It's a bit too early to know if your other three days will have any demonstrations or strikes scheduled for them.

I spent a week there rev

Before I went, I read on this forum all about how it was going at the worst possible time it was going to be the renewable transport strike, trash was on strike, etc. etc. protests etc.. It was just in a one calamity after another.

Actual impact on my vacation - I had to take a taxi one time instead of waiting on the bus. I think that cost me €10.

epvinceiam, Kim is correct. Once you get to Paris, just watch the French news channels to see where the hot spots will be, then avoid them.

Somehow I doubt that anything that goes on that is iffy, will take on more than a city block or will last more than half a day. Listen, watch; and walk the other way.

This sort of thing happened 3 weeks ago. No way it will repeat. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/nationwide-protests-france-after-macron-doubles-down-pension-bill-2023-03-23/ And this CNN doesnt date the violence, so I suspect its days old video: https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/04/07/france-protest-violent-black-block-militant-bell-pkg-intl-hnk-vpx.cnn

I also found an article that said, no impact on tourism. And everything is open again: https://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/destinations/major-paris-tourist-sites-reopen-after-weekend-riots

So, have a blast: But, I would carry your passport when you are out and about.

Kim, thank you for this very specific advice.

Carol - I'm very glad to hear that the demonstrations had a very minimal impact on your trip. Thank you!

Mister E - thank you so much for the links and the advice about my passport - I would not have thought of that!

We stayed close to Place des Vosges April 3-6. Flew in from Lisbon and left via train to Brussels. Our original train to Brussels was cancelled and we had to rebook but otherwise we experienced no impact from the demonstrations. We saw no demonstrators or piles of trash. We did see a military patrol on the move with automatic weapons which I had not seen before (usually they’re just standing at an entrance.) We took a taxi from Orly, multiple Metro trips, train to Versailles and Uber to Gare du Nord without any disruption.

I can’t speak to that area but just got back from a weeks visit staying in Latin quarter. We had one strike day which my daughter and I caught a bit of the march and it was completely peaceful. We saw no garbage and had zero issues. It was our first visit and we had an amazing time. Hope you enjoy your trip!

Thank you all for these very helpful posts. I have a much better understanding of the demonstration schedule now - usually Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon - and links to visit for more information. Paris is always a joy! Even if there is garbage piled up - the workers are back on strike as of today. I'll be able to look past it. Here is a great resource suggested by a friend. If you are visiting Paris this site may prove very helpful. https://www.americaineinfrance.com/

"Paris always a joy !" How true ! The garbage presence only a minor unpleasantness as are the strikes, demonstrations, and cancelations... minor inconveniences.

demonstrating is the French National Sport and they know how to announce and manage them. We have observed many May day parades and in recent years they have gotten more serious. The Black Block anarchists like to join in and cause trouble so you see fewer families with kids marching with the union groups than a few years ago when it was more like. a family day out. Lots of music, banners, food vendors along the route.

Last year we stupidly stayed around to watch the Black Block (easily observed -- they are literally masked and wearing black --). and got caught in the edge of the tear gas -- not a pleasant experience for two very old Americans one of whom can't see well anyway. So if you do observe the May 1 demonstration, pay attention so you can move away from these very few trouble makers. One year we watched the police deftly turn the parade route one bridge down the river and isolate the BB who were busy torching a McDonalds. And the main group marched on towards Place Italie peacefully as usual.

You can easily avoid demonstrations. Police presence is always there. they are announced ahead. If you see them and don't want to watch, just turn and walk the other direction.

Janet - thanks for this post. We will be there on May 1st and knew about parades, but wasn't thinking "demonstrations," although with everything happening, we should of. Appreciate the warnings and suggestions!

It is kind of thrilling to watch. They close many metro stations along the route and close down the main roads of the march -- It is important to be aware of the troublesome group and keep your distance there. but overall it is a pretty interesting experience. One year we had planned to take the metro to the river and walk there and the station at Place Italie was closed, so we just walked down the demonstration route to meet the parade. There were booths playing music including classic Woody Guthrie along the route; we met the demonstration about a third of the way along when it was diverted.

Hi! If your friend was telling you "Paris is a right mess!" he was probably expressing frustrations - as have other Parisians to us, that they are getting tired "of this nonsense". I can go more into detail what different French citizens in Paris have told us, but for the worried tourists, I can assure you, that the strikes and demonstrations will most likely have little to no impact on you.

We were there during Spring Break, and had the best time. We were staying in the 6th. The garbage pick up from the weeks prior had just been completed (though some streets still needed an "after cleaning"), and the whole city was full of tourists from all over the world, as usual. The Paris marathon took place. There were no security issues or concerns. All tourist sites were open. We were lucky to avoid a full strike day completely so we did not experience any transportation issues, other than some stops on the RER C were closed, however, this appeared to be due to extensive renovations (until late April- a sign on a closed station said). The metro appeared to work normally. Line 1 (yellow) always operates since it doesn't have drivers. The next "general strike day" will be announced immediately after the last one (it's actually April 13, today), so expect an announcement later today!

The strikes have taken place once a week, on a weekday. There was also a three day air traffic controller strike that ended just before we arrived, but in general; flights in and out of Orly are more likely affected than in and out of CDG. If you have train tickets within France, you could also be affected. If you know this ahead of time, consider changing to a different day from the "general strike day", if feasible. On strike days the metro within the city does not appear to be affected much, but the RER lines might be. As far as I'm aware, the Eiffel Tower was only closed a single day since the strikes began in January. The Louvre opened late a few times and was closed once during a general strike day. If you are in Paris on a general strike day, ask locals what the route (beginning and end point) is, and avoid particularly the end point. The demonstrations have always been beginning and ending at the very large squares on the right bank (but not Place des Vosges).

I wish everyone a wonderful time in Paris!

Hi Sam -
Thanks so much for your response, which reaffirms everything I've seen and heard so far. Yes, as a resident, I think my friend is just fed up. I am traveling by train from Paris to Basel on Monday, May 1 - international Labor Day - so that may be an issue. But very possibly it won't be. So I'll just roll with whatever happens. I'm glad to hear you had a great time. I expect I will too!

Eleanor

Sam has written a generally excellent, helpful post, but please note that this isn't quite right :

The demonstrations have always been beginning and ending at the very large squares on the right bank

Sometimes demonstrations take place on the Left Bank, for example last week's which went from Invalides to Place d'Italie. My rough guess would be that about one in three (of this recent set) have happened on the Left Bank rather than the Right Bank.

Kim, thanks for the update. This blog post continues to give the most comprehensive advice. https://www.americaineinfrance.com/2023/03/27/navigating-paris-during-strikes-and-protests/

cheers,
Eleanor

Today, Friday 14, the Constitutional Council (France’s highest constitutional authority) will rule on whether the new pension reform law should be accepted (or modified or rejected).

So, there will be no strikes or demonstrations announcements before this decision is published.

I'd like to pick up on Sam's post and perhaps widen the lens a bit. My husband and I purchased train tickets way back in January for travel between May 22 and May 31: (Paris-Bayeux; Caen-Rouen, Rouen-Paris, and Paris- Brest) which are time sensitive due to hotel reservations). We were intentional about not renting a car as we're in our 70's and have always found French trains reliable and comfortable. I understand we'll know a lot more after tomorrow, but what I'm getting from your discussion is that we should mostly avoid travel on any days of "general strike" if those continue. I was thinking I would reach out to our hotels to see if they have flexibility if inter city rail travel is disrupted during our trip. I guess we could look into renting a car if it comes to that, but I'd rather not. Any thoughts?

Kim - I’m sorry I completely missed the Left Bank strike day(s)! Thanks for correcting it!

Kathleen - Fwiw most general strike days have been on Tuesdays and Thursdays, however, occasionally there was a Monday or Friday as well. There are no guarantees… but your date is still far enough out that the strikes could potentially come to an end. As a note - if you do end up renting a car, we found driving in France to be the most relaxing and easiest of several European countries.

May 1st is always a volatile day in many countries in Europe. It’s different from the strikes in that unfortunately people are specifically setting out for confrontations, setting (parked) cars on fire, etc. but… all this usually takes place after dusk. So if you leave in the morning you won’t have any problems, unless this day is also designated a general strike day (which it well could be). If your plans are not completely firm, I’d change the day just so you don’t have to worry about it. However, if you are fine with adapting as things unfold and it would feel more stressful to make adjustments now, just wait.

We are flying overnight from Chicago to Paris on AirFrance and are scheduled to arrive in the morning on May 1 - does anyone have advice on this? If May 1 is a general strike day, is it likely our flight will be cancelled, even though it departs on April 30? Also - are we likely to have trouble finding a train or cab to our hotel (near Luxembourg Gardens)?