A nationwide rail strike is disrupting train travel across France on Thursday, 5 November 2026, with up to 700,000 protesters expected to march in Paris and mass demonstrations planned in cities including Lyon and Marseille. France’s intelligence service estimates between 500,000 and 700,000 people will demonstrate outside Paris alone, according to reports by The Independent.
SNCF Reports Widespread Rail Disruptions
France’s state railway operator SNCF anticipates service interruptions across its network on November 5. High-speed TGV trains will experience minor disruptions, while regional Intercités and TER lines and Paris’ Île-de-France train and RER services will face more severe interruptions. Several train stations in the Paris
and Île-de-France region will be closed during the strike. SNCF advised passengers to verify their train status before traveling, stating: “Before you travel, please check that your train is running.”
Public Transit and Ticketing During the Strike
The Île-de-France metro network will operate normally at open stations, and bus and tram services across the region are expected to run without disruption. Transilien commuter trains, however, will be affected by the strike. SNCF confirmed that passengers with cancelled TGV or Intercités trains will be contacted and offered free ticket exchanges or refunds. Travelers on the RER B line to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport are advised to allow
extra time due to potential delays.
Eurostar Timetable and Aviation Status
Eurostar has announced plans to maintain a near-normal timetable on November 5 but recommended passengers check live updates for changes. France’s civil aviation authority DGAC stated it has not required airlines to modify flight schedules for the strike day. No major flight disruptions related to the protests or strike were reported as of the morning of November 5, 2026.
UK Foreign Office Travel Warning and Safety Measures
The UK Foreign Office issued travel advice starting 22 October 2026, warning of increased demonstrations and political gatherings in France. The advisory advises the public to avoid large crowds and follow local authority instructions. Authorities
in France may implement public safety measures including partial or localized curfews in certain areas during the strike day. The Foreign Office emphasized that protests could disrupt local transport services and urged travelers to monitor local media for updates.
Context of Protests and Strike Causes
The November 5 rail strike coincides with nationwide protests organized by trade unions over wages, pensions, living costs, and education funding. These actions follow three consecutive weekends of unrest in October, during which protests escalated in some areas to riots, looting, and damage to shops and public property.
