Updated on 8 December 2019
The Situation:
After the 5 December national strike, and more demonstrations over the weekend, a new national strike has been announced for 10 December, continuing the fight against the new universal point-based pension system. Trains, metros, buses, trams, Eurostar services, air travel (including Air France workers and air traffic controllers), and road travel may continue to be impacted in the coming days.
In the initial strike on 5 December, between 800,000 and 1.5 million people marched in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes, Rennes, Toulouse, among other cities. Some clashes among demonstrators and significant traffic disruptions were reported.
On 7 December, demonstrations regarding pension reform continued alongside Yellow Vests protests. Significant traffic disruptions continued through the weekend.
For information on train and Paris Metro and bus disruptions, please see the links below:
Possible Effects:
Blocked roads or slow downs which may cause significant delays
Increased traffic, especially near city centers and government buildings
Protests and demonstrations, which can attract unwanted attention
Limited or unavailable transportation services, especially throughout major cities
Increased presence of security personnel, such as local police
Delayed and/or cancelled flights and Eurostar services
Mitigating Factors to Apply:
Avoid all protests and large crowds, which have the possibility of turning violent
Allow extra time for travel
Prepare for disruptions caused by public transportation strikes and protests
Avoid traveling through city centers, instead utilizing bypasses
Monitor local and social media for updates
Follow the instructions of local authorities
Confirm flight status before departing to the airport
Enroll in a Safe Traveler program from your preferred embassy to receive warnings
DISCLAIMER and Hold Harmless
Disclaimer: LSDS gathers information from multiple sources and offers insight and perspective to travelers. Sources cannot be validated for accuracy in every instance. Travelers assume all risk associated with their travel and are responsible for the decisions associated with travel and for their own safety. Users of this reference document agree, to hold harmless LSDS (LLC) its employees and clients associated with any risk or injury incurred during travel.
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