As some of you know, a court ruling upheld the French president's right to raise the retirement age. Of course this will result in more protests and strikes.

I realize the strikes can affect the entire country, but so far I'm not hearing much about strikes in the Loire Valley and Alsace, which are part of the plan. We had planned a week in Paris, May 2-9, then divide the next 8 days between the Loire Valley and Alsace. Now we're wondering if we should spend more time outside of Paris. We've already revised our plan from train travel to car travel because of the strikes. Do we need further revisions? Thanks.

No. You can even go back to using the train if you prefer.

Just left Paris on Tuesday and strikes were posted and according to hotel concierge posted by at least 5pm the day before. I did not encounter any strikes and had to read about the protests in Paris cause I sure did not encounter any.

This is very helpful, thanks.

I have read that a large strike is planned for May Day...which happens to be our arrival day at CDG. Anyone know to what extent the RER will be affected? Complete shutdown or limited service?

Thanks.
SS

There is the usual trade union march on May Day. There is absolutely no strike, because everything is closed on May Day every year -- it is the most important holiday of the year. It would be ridiculous to call for a strike on May 1st, so no, there is no strike on May Day.

Transportation will operate on the usual Sunday/holiday schedule. Restaurants and cafés that are usually open on May Day will be open. You will even find a few stores open. And you can go to the cinema or visit parks or cemeteries if you get bored.

Thanks, K...I did expect a Sunday schedule, but was fearful of a shutdown. If things change, please post it here.

We won't be at our apartment probably till about 2 pm, so we'll do some grocery shopping and then take a short nap.

We've been in Paris on May Day before (and on May 8...some things were closed then, I think for liberation day???)...there's always something to do in Paris.

Thanks, again.
ssander

If you are sure to need groceries on May 1st, it might be safer to go to the superette in the basement of Terminal 2 (where A-C connects to B-D) because I can't guarantee that you'll find much in the way of groceries wherever you'll be staying unless it's an area with the little overpriced convenience stores (generally run by Moroccans, so Parisians often say "chez le Marocain" for emergency things like butter or wine).

Thanks.
ss

I like the fact that you see wine as an emergency item.