The Situation: Several major French unions have called a general strike across France on 17 March. Public and private sectors including civil servants, education workers, and transportation workers are expected to participate. Transportation disruptions are expected. The following demonstrations have been confirmed, but others may occur across France.
Paris: Place de la Republique, 14:00
Le Mans: Palais des Congres, 14:00
Lille: Porte de Paris, 14:30
Lisieux: Place François-Mitterrand, 10:30
Lyon: Place Jean Mace, 11:30
Marseille: Prefecture, 11:00
Montpellier: Saint-Roch station, 13:00
Nice: Place Garibaldi, 10:30
Nimes: Square de la Couronne, 14:30
Rouen: Cours Clemenceau, 10:00
Tours: Place de la Gare, 10:00
Possible Effects:
Possible protests at transportation hubs, schools and other government building
Traffic delays and blocked roads due to demonstrations
Cancelled, delayed, or rerouted flights
Follow-on or tandem demonstrations, strikes, or protests
Mitigating Factors to Apply:
Prepare for disruptions caused by protests, such as increased traffic and security, blocked roads, and potential travel into demonstration sites
Avoid all protests and demonstration, which have the possibility of turning violent and may serve as a catalyst for Covid-19 spread
Confirm your flight status prior to departing to the airport
Allow extra time to travel to/from the destination, airport, and accommodations
Use bypasses as an alternative to traveling through major city centers
Monitor local and social media for updates
Enroll in a Safe Traveler program to receive warnings from your preferred embassy
Plan for alternative transportation, if necessary
DISCLAIMER and Hold Harmless Disclaimer: LSDS™ gathers information from multiple sources and offers insight and perspective to travelers. Sources cannot be validated for accuracy in every instance. Travelers assume all risk associated with their travel and are responsible for the decisions associated with travel and for their own safety. Users of this reference document agree, to hold harmless LSDS™ (LLC) its employees and clients associated with any risk or injury incurred during travel.