Is There a Strike in France Today?

By: Jean-Paul and Jessica - Last checked: March 2, 2026

Current Status

Trains (SNCF): Normal service. No strikes scheduled.

Paris Metro/RER (RATP): Normal service. Some maintenance closures on individual lines.

Flights: No airline or ATC strikes active. Vueling has an open-ended cabin crew strike notice at Paris-Orly.

Eurostar: Reduced schedule through March.

What's Coming in 2026

We keep a separate post updated with everything confirmed and probable for the year: France Strikes and Travel Disruptions in 2026. It covers major closures (Gare de Lyon in May, the RER B airport line this summer), the ATC strikes that have already been filed, the new EES biometric border system, and all the Paris metro construction work. Full month-by-month calendar included.

How Do Strikes Work in France?

French law requires unions to file a strike notice at least 48 hours before any public transport stoppage. That's your planning window. Once a notice is filed, SNCF and RATP work out which staff will show up and publish a modified schedule by 5pm the evening before. Airlines notify passengers individually, usually 24-48 hours out.

The part that takes getting used to: a notice being filed doesn't mean a strike will happen. Unions file notices to push negotiations forward. It might get resolved at the last minute, or it might go ahead.

Jean-Paul: "You're not trying to predict whether a strike will happen. You're checking the SNCF or RATP app at 5pm the night before. That tells you what's actually running."

Jessica: "That uncertainty drove me crazy the first few times. Now I just download SNCF Connect and Bonjour RATP before I leave home, check them the evening before any train or metro day, and adjust if needed. It takes about 30 seconds."

What Should I Do During a Train Strike in France?

Enter your train number in the SNCF Connect app to see if it's running, delayed, or cancelled. Cancelled trains get free exchanges or full refunds, even on non-refundable tickets. If nothing is running on your route, BlaBlaCar (rideshare), FlixBus, and car rentals are your backups.

What Should I Do During a Paris Metro Strike?

Check the Bonjour RATP app for which lines are running and at what frequency. Lines 1 and 14 are automated and almost always run normally. Other lines may run at reduced frequency during rush hours only. Paris is 10 kilometers across, and most of the central arrondissements are 20-30 minutes apart on foot, so walking is a real option.

Jean-Paul: "During metro strikes I walk or take a Velib bike. Paris is small enough that you can get almost anywhere in the center in 30 minutes on foot. You adjust and move on."

What Should I Do If My Flight Is Affected by a French Strike?

Check your airline app. If the airline's own staff are striking, you may be entitled to up to 600 euros compensation under EU Regulation 261 plus rebooking or a refund. If it's an air traffic control strike, the airline must still rebook you or refund you, but compensation doesn't apply.

One thing people miss: French ATC strikes affect flights that don't touch France. A large share of European air traffic passes through French airspace, so a UK-to-Spain or Germany-to-Italy flight can get cancelled because of French ATC action.

Best Apps for Strike Tracking

SNCF Connect - Train status, strike-day schedules by 5pm the day before.

Bonjour RATP - Metro, bus, tram, RER live status.

Your airline app - Flight status and rebooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I cancel my trip to France because of strikes?

No. Strikes are announced in advance, they typically last a day or two, and transport operators publish modified schedules the evening before. A little flexibility is all you need. We've traveled through plenty of strike days over the years.

Jessica: "I was nervous about this before my first trip during a strike. We checked the SNCF app the night before, two of our three trains were running, and we shifted the third to the next morning. That was it. The rest of the trip was completely normal."

How often do French strikes affect tourists?

Rarely. Major national transport strikes happen a handful of times per year. Smaller local actions are more frequent but almost never affect visitors. The majority of trips to France encounter zero strike disruption.

Do Paris metro strikes shut everything down?

No. Lines 1 and 14 are automated and usually run normally. Other lines run at reduced frequency, especially during rush hours. Taxis, Uber, Velib bikes, and walking all still work. The biggest impact is on commuters in the suburbs, not visitors in central Paris.

Do French strikes affect the Eurostar?

SNCF staff operate parts of the Eurostar route inside France, so French rail strikes can disrupt Eurostar's timetable even when Eurostar itself isn't striking. They typically run a reduced schedule and notify passengers by email. Check eurostar.com.

Can I get a refund if a strike cancels my French train?

Yes. SNCF offers free exchanges and full refunds for strike cancellations, even on non-refundable tickets. Process it through the app, website, or a station ticket office before your train's scheduled departure.

Will I get compensation if a French strike cancels my flight?

Airline staff strikes (pilots, cabin crew): you may be entitled to up to 600 euros under EU Regulation 261. Air traffic control strikes: no compensation (classified as extraordinary circumstances), but the airline must still rebook you or refund you. Either way, they must provide meals and accommodation if you're stranded.

Every BonjourGuide article combines Jean-Paul's authentic French insights with Jessica's American traveler experience to give you the full picture of French culture.