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Paris Strikes and Tensions - AFTER Wednesday's Vote

Posted by (Kenora, Ontario, Canada) on

We're scheduled to arrive in Paris on Sunday (Oct. 24th) and to take the TGV to Arles on Wednesday October 27th.
For those in Paris - do you think the strike effects will lessen after Wednesday vote in Parliament? Will they remain the same? Or will they worsen?
Right now, I am leaning towards cancelling our trip but if you think things will start to "normalize" after Wednesday's vote, then we might take the chance. What I am really worried about is checking out of our Paris hotel on Wednesday, then finding out the TGV is not running. Then we'd lose our reservation (and deposit) in Arles and would not have a place to stay in Paris! Ugh!
Any and all advice would be appreciated.

Should we go - or cut our losses?????

Posted by
446 posts

It's anybody's guess what will happen this week, and the NY Times is reporting that the vote may or may not take place on Wednesday:

"Initially, the vote was set for Wednesday, but it could now be held on Thursday or even as late as Sunday as the Senate plows its way through some 400 amendments introduced by the opposition."

Posted by
32212 posts

Gordon,

I don't think there's anyway to predict what will happen after Wednesday, whether they hold the vote that day or not. The demonstrations have been increasing in some cities. According to news reports, Lyon was in chaos yesterday, with cars burning in the streets.

In the same situation, I'd take the trip anyway and hope for the best. The fact that you already have a reservation on the TGV is good. One benefit of the TGV is that it's electric, and therefore won't be affected with the disruption of petroleum-based fuel supplies from the refineries. Even if the railway staff are on strike, I suspect that management personnel may still offer a "limited" service.

Car rental would probably not be the best alternate solution, again due to the fuel disruptions.

Let us know what your experiences are after you arrive, as I'm sure the information would be helpful for others here.

Good luck!

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