ruedebuci - check with United but it may be too early for them to have made a decision.

The strike is scheduled for June 24-29th, I think (the union of the air traffic controllers). But some flights will be going, they have to by law. This is their announcement (that union has longstanding grievances)

http://www.sncta.fr/?wpfb_dl=351

I don't know what I'd do, you probably won't really know if your flight is leaving until the day it does. They may even have the plane out there and check people in, and then it is delayed or cancelled at that time.

I'd probably try to make a hotel reservation, some of them can be cancelled until 24 hrs in advance, although that isn't going to help you that day. But it bides you some time. Just book any old hotel, some chain or something, like a Mercure or Ibis. I"d be anxious about that, also, I hate not knowing what's going to happen.

Booking.com doesn't make you pay in advance. I'd always check something first like that if you've never used a site, as to the rules. But all hotels do have cancellation times of maybe 24-72 hrs in advance, of course.

We rec'd a emaik from sncf overnight saying thanks for our patience during this rail strike and our train is scheduled to depart at 11h07 !

Thank you all for hanging out with my anxiety!

Ps the Holiday Inn allows cancellation until 4pm day of reservation. I'm cancelling soon as we're safely in our seats

Mary
I've been anxiously following your thread. It's a relief to see things working out for you for the train at least. Hope the rest of your trip is smooth and enjoyable.
We are supposed to arrive paris about 8 am on the 24, which is the proposed start of the air controllers strike. I haven't been able to get through to the airline yet...I guess there are lots of calls. Does anyone know if there is a set time on the 24 th for the strike to start?

Air traffic controller strikes have, to my knowledge, never affected transatlantic flights. Those of you with flights from North America to Paris should not be overly concerned unless you are connecting at CDG for a follow-on flight to some other EU country. Your second leg could be delayed.

Sarastro I sure hope you are right!

Is the taxi strike over? I arrive on Weds and I always take a taxi

The taxi strike only lasted one day.

That's good to know, thanks Sarastro.

I have seen no further updates on the rail strike other than the fact that it has continued into the present day and time. I am beginning to wonder just how long it might last and if I should start thinking of alternative travel plans.

Actually, here's what appears to be the latest:

http://www.thelocal.fr/20140616/fren...e-school-exams

I'm safely in Gordes, or heaven if you prefer. The rail strike continues today (Monda) and afternoon trains to Paris are cancelled

Jim and Ruedebuci, I can't imagine the. Rail strike lasti g much longer. But on our train to Provence they added extra cars so if caught up in this I suggest you spend the day at the train station so they can put you on the next train. There were many attendants available for questions. A woman told me she and someone else had the same seat number. They shared sitting/standing!

Mary

Great to hear things are working out. I hope this hasn't dampened your spirits and that you are enjoying the experience. I read on another site that the air controller union is meeting on Thursday afternoon to make decisions on any action....so it looks like nothing is actually set yet. Some people say that international flights are usually less disrupted during these sorts of strikes. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

Latest Update:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...ch-rail-strike

Jim are you taking the train to Provence? When? Perhaps the airline could divert you to Brussels? Then train to Paris?

Provence is even more spectacular than I imagined. My fingers are crossed for you. Mary

Mary

We are flying into Paris early Tuesday morning...that is of course unless the flight is cancelled. Air Canada is non committal at this stage as any strike is unconfirmed. Our train to Provence is not until July 1, so hopefully the train situation will be resolved by then. Not sure if we should be trying to change our plans at this stage or wait until any decision coming Thursday. Are you familiar with the train from Brussels to Paris? Is that a fairly simple trip?

Thalys high-speed services from Amsterdam and Brussels are said to be running on normal schedules.

https://www.thalys.com/be/en/traffic-info?news=3404

Jim, We came to Paris from Frankfort through Brussels. I booked on Captaine Train website. It didn't seem all that far to Paris. Brought us into Gare d'l est in central Paris. Best of luck. Let us know

I feel your pain! Spent over 9 hours in the CDG rail station after an overnight flight with 3 kids due to our cancelled train. I was very peeved also about being told that we would then have to stand on the 4 hour train ride if we could not find an empty seat. I just can't believe we still have to possibly deal with this to get back to Paris on Saturday. France and I will be taking a long break after this.

I sat on the floor of a train from Poitiers to Paris this morning, just across from the toilet. Very interesting. I stood for four hours going to Limoges on Sunday.

My tickets will be refunded, though.

How do you get a refund! Are we being fleeced because we don't speak French and are tourists? A woman at CDG said we should get a refund but when we tried to ask we only got the "as long as you can get on a train even if you have to stand you don't get a thing speech".