Are restaurants and attractions open as usual?
The Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles and Arc de Triomphe were closed on March 23 but have since reopened. Most restaurants and shops should also now be operating as usual, but could close at short notice due to more strike action or violent protests – indeed a McDonalds outlet was ransacked on March 23 . Visitors may also notice piles of rubbish littering the streets as bins haven’t been collected in two weeks.
Are other French cities being affected by the protests?
While Paris has seen the most dramatic protests, other French cities have also been impacted. On March 23, Bordeaux’s town hall was set ablaze, while the cities of Lille, Nantes, Rennes and Lorient also saw clashes between police and protestors. Meanwhile, a fifth of flights were cancelled from Marseille airport on March 21 and 22.
Will my flight be cancelled due to the protests?
Widespread industrial action has led to a raft of flight and a few Eurostar cancellations in recent days. On March 21 and 22 around 20 per cent of flights were axed from Paris Orly.
Ahead of the strike action this week, EasyJet warned: “Air traffic control staff are joining the strike action and therefore like all airlines, our flights to and from French airports, as well as those flying in French airspace, could be affected.
“We expect that there will be delays and some disruption due to the industrial action, therefore we advise all customers to check the status of their flight on our flight tracker either on our mobile app or website.”
More strikes or indeed spontaneous blockades at stations or airports could lead to further travel disruption.
What should I do if my travel plans are impacted by strike action?
Before travelling, be sure to check whether there are any strikes on the ground in your destination and plan accordingly. Even localised train strikes, for example, could create issues travelling from the airport upon arrival.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to strike action, contact your airline immediately. Airlines are obliged to offer assistance such as food and drink or accommodation for extensive delays due to industrial action. Most will endeavour to place you on another flight where space allows.
For flights which are cancelled outright, whether you are entitled to compensation depends on if the strike is considered to be something the airline could feasibly control. Under UK and EU law, you’re only entitled to a refund if your carrier informs you your flight is cancelled less than 14 days’ from the date you’re due to fly.
For more information on what to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled, read our comprehensive guide, here.