Today's transport strike in France
Oct 23rd, 2007, 05:20 AM
#41
Original Poster
If the museums are closed, Versailles will be closed, because it is classified as a museum. Of course on Tuesdays, there are not many museums to choose from, since that is the standard day that they are closed. Versailles and the Orsay are the two main places that are open on Tuesday when the other places are closed, but it's really too soon to tell with precision what will be happening on November 20th.
If there is a transportation strike at the same time, frankly it is better to stay put in Paris. The traffic jams are unbearable at such times.
If there is a transportation strike at the same time, frankly it is better to stay put in Paris. The traffic jams are unbearable at such times.
Oct 23rd, 2007, 05:26 AM
#42
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If the museum employees are on strike, alas Versailles will be closed, too.
In case of a transit strike where there are no trains to Versailles and Chartres, I would NOT recommend renting a car unless it is a weekend. During the week the traffic would be unbearable.
In case of a transit strike where there are no trains to Versailles and Chartres, I would NOT recommend renting a car unless it is a weekend. During the week the traffic would be unbearable.
Oct 23rd, 2007, 11:35 AM
#43
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Kerouac - thanks so much for keeping us up to date. I am travelling to Paris on 9 November , returning 17 November. I hope for a calm week. We have train tickets on the new service to Strasbourg on Monday 12 November and it would be a shame to miss that lovely city. Flights are with Air France from Boston, so any further word on their threats will be appreciated. I hope the continued strikes are not a great inconveniance for you!!! Seafox
Oct 31st, 2007, 04:40 AM
#51
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Kerouac, we must be posting at the same time. Any indication if the strikes beginning on the 13th are open ended or if they are only to last a limited number of days? Can you tell if it's going to be teachers, transportation and Air France?
Oct 31st, 2007, 05:03 AM
#52
Original Poster
Okay, here's the news. Things may still change.
13 November will be SNCF and RATP (Paris metro). This strike will be extendable.
14 November is GDF and EDF (gas and electric companies).
20 November is France Telecom and the post office, along with teachers and most civil servants. Museums will almost certainly be closed (but it's a Tuesday anyway, the closing day of most museums).
29 November is a strike by judges and court personnel.
It will be a busy month, and this sort of stuff usually snowballs, since everybody is frustrated about something or other.
13 November will be SNCF and RATP (Paris metro). This strike will be extendable.
14 November is GDF and EDF (gas and electric companies).
20 November is France Telecom and the post office, along with teachers and most civil servants. Museums will almost certainly be closed (but it's a Tuesday anyway, the closing day of most museums).
29 November is a strike by judges and court personnel.
It will be a busy month, and this sort of stuff usually snowballs, since everybody is frustrated about something or other.
Oct 31st, 2007, 10:11 AM
#57
Original Poster
Six of the eight SNCF unions have confirmed the call for an unlimited strike beginning on November 12th at 8 pm. They say that the government has 2 weeks to say something to prevent this. The RATP (Paris metro) unions have not yet come out of their meeting to announce their plans, but I am pretty sure that they will call for a strike as well.
If all goes well for me, I will not be able to update you on the strikes when they start, because I am trying to fly to the US on Air France on the morning of November 12th.
(Gotta love spending those weak dollars!)
But as an airline employee flying standby, I may change my plans at a moment's notice -- I am keeping an eye on the AF airline employee travel website day by day, which tells me exactly what my travel chances are. I am #3 on the list for a B-747 at the moment, which isn't bad.
Can you imagine that there were 15 no-shows on that first Singapore Airlines A-380 flight where every seat was sold at an auction?
If all goes well for me, I will not be able to update you on the strikes when they start, because I am trying to fly to the US on Air France on the morning of November 12th.
(Gotta love spending those weak dollars!)But as an airline employee flying standby, I may change my plans at a moment's notice -- I am keeping an eye on the AF airline employee travel website day by day, which tells me exactly what my travel chances are. I am #3 on the list for a B-747 at the moment, which isn't bad.
Can you imagine that there were 15 no-shows on that first Singapore Airlines A-380 flight where every seat was sold at an auction?
Oct 31st, 2007, 04:55 PM
#58
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OK my friend, I have 1st class train seats for six of us out of Strasbourg at 18:16 on the new high speed service for 12 November .... just short of 2 hours before the strike.... what are your thoughts??? Will the train leave as scheduled and arrive in Paris???? My guess is we will be OK in that we are en route at the pit of the strike ... or is that naive of me???
Where do you plan to fly to in the US - surely we musthave something of interest going on that we could share with you.... thanks seafox
Where do you plan to fly to in the US - surely we musthave something of interest going on that we could share with you.... thanks seafox
Oct 31st, 2007, 10:20 PM
#60
Original Poster
seafox, I think your train will run, but I do not have a crystal ball.
JeaninGeorgia, the RATP (metro & bus authorities) unions will not announce if they will join the strike until next week. Assuming they go on strike also, the best bet might be Air France bus into the city + taxi, or else maybe just a taxi direct from the airport. I would certainly look at one of the electric traffic situation maps in the terminal before making a decision about that -- if all of the lamps are red instead of green on the map, I would not want to take a taxi from the airport.
JeaninGeorgia, the RATP (metro & bus authorities) unions will not announce if they will join the strike until next week. Assuming they go on strike also, the best bet might be Air France bus into the city + taxi, or else maybe just a taxi direct from the airport. I would certainly look at one of the electric traffic situation maps in the terminal before making a decision about that -- if all of the lamps are red instead of green on the map, I would not want to take a taxi from the airport.
