Strikes in France: Checklist

Where to find up-to-the-minute travel and other information when France is suffering from large-scale industrial unrest...

Update 29 March 2018

The SNCF will be on strike 2 days out of 5 from April to June 2018. Timetables indicating which trains will be running will be posted on the SNCF website each day at 17:00. Here are the dates for the upcoming train strikes:

April:

  • Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 
  • Sunday 8 and Monday 9 
  • Friday 13 and Saturday 14 
  • Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 
  • Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 
  • Saturday 28 and Sunday 29

May:

  • Thursday 3 and Friday 4
  • Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9
  • Sunday 13 and Monday 14 
  • Friday 18 and Saturday 19
  • Wednesday 23 and Thursday
  • Monday 28 and Tuesday 29

June:

  • Saturday 2 and Sunday 3
  • Thursday 7 and Friday 8
  • Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13
  • Sunday 17 and Monday 18
  • Friday 22 and Saturday 23
  • Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28


Strikes (les grèves) in France affect public transport services fairly often, although less frequently than before. Here are some useful sites for up-to-the-minute information during France's industrial disputes and manifestations. 

Here are some useful sites for up-to-the-minute information during France's industrial disputes and manifestations.

For a list of upcoming strikes in France, consult the following French website, C’est La Greve.

Rail strikes

From time-to-time train service is affected by strike action. In these situations revised train schedules are posted on notice boards at stations. Information (in French) is also available from the SNCF website or by telephone on weekdays.
  • TGV
  • SNCF rail service - information from SNCF about rail works, strikes and other disruptions to service (in French)
    • Local rail services: (for regional information, select the region on the map) 
    • Tel: 35
    • Mobile Apps for ticket booking, real-time information on trains and stations

Note that if your TGV or intercity train is more than 30 minutes late you are entitled to compensation. You can request compensation online and either receive a voucher to be used for another train journey, or be reimbursed via bank transfer.

Air travel

You are not entitled to compensation if your plane is delayed due to strikes, unless it is the company that you are flying with that is on strike.

Working in France during a strike

If you can’t get to work, or you are late to work because of a public transport strike or demonstrations, you can’t be sanctioned by your employer. You need to prove it was due to ‘force majeure’ by presenting proof of the delay or absence (for example from the transport company).

However, your employer is not obliged to pay the time off (unless outlined in your contract or a collective agreement).

The amount deducted from your salary must be strictly proportional to the length of your absence.

To avoid losing any pay, and if your employer agrees, you can make up for your absence or being late either by catching up on the hours lost, or by taking a day of holiday.

Depending on the type of work you do, and if the employer agrees, you can also ask to work from home.

For up-to-date articles in French on the strike situation, see websites belonging to the French press, such as: