France Strike Shuts Paris Stations and Cuts Trains
A nationwide strike disrupted rail travel across France on Thursday, 5 November, cutting commuter services and closing Paris stations during demonstrations. SNCF scheduled most high-speed trains to run, but regional and Intercités services faced heavier disruption. Eurostar cancelled three departures and warned of delays at Paris Gare du Nord. Airlines were not ordered to reduce their schedules nationwide, although local disruption remained possible.
What to Do If Your Journey Was Disrupted
- Check SNCF Connect for your evening departure and any cancellation.
- Use RATP updates to find open stations and alternative stops.
- Look up your Eurostar train number before heading to the station.
- If SNCF has cancelled your train, you may be able to change your ticket free of charge or get a refund.
- Keep receipts for replacement transport, but check reimbursement rules first.
- Check RER B separately if travelling to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
SNCF's strike timetable provided for at least nine in ten TGV INOUI and OUIGO trains to run, with wider cuts to Intercités and TER services. In the Paris region, RER B services were reduced to one train in two north of Gare du Nord, including the Charles de Gaulle Airport branch, and two in three to the south. RER D had one in three trains scheduled.
Paris metro lines largely continued operating, but police-ordered station closures affected Châtelet, Concorde and Charles de Gaulle–Étoile, among others. Trains were skipping affected stops, with some short sections suspended. Eurostar services 9004, 9015 and 9052 were cancelled, while technical problems also caused delays at Paris Gare du Nord. The station closures remained subject to police authorisation, so reopening times could change during the evening.
Passengers whose eligible TGV INOUI or Intercités trains were cancelled can request a full refund or fee-free exchange through SNCF Connect. Under the strike arrangements, some domestic tickets can be handled up to three days after departure, but international bookings must be changed beforehand. Airport-bound travellers should check their final RER B connection rather than assume the reduced daytime timetable applies throughout the evening.