Foreign Office warns of severe travel disruption in France

‘In the Paris region, protests will begin early in the morning and are expected to include road blockades on motorways,’ says Foreign Office

Walk out: striking rail workers in the southern city of Perpignan during a previous stoppage (Simon Calder)

The Foreign Office is warning British travellers to France of road blockades, severe delays on trains, metros and buses, and strikes by airline staff.

Protesting French farmers are planning to start blocking roads on Wednesday 27 November. Members of the National Federation of Farmers’ Unions (FNSEA) are demanding a better deal from the French government and protection against cheap agricultural imports.

“In the Paris region, protests will begin early in the morning and are expected to include road blockades on motorways and main roads into the city,” the Foreign Office has just announced.

“Similar protests can be expected elsewhere in France.”

The official advice continues: “Additional protests may also be held linked to the yellow vest (gilets jaunes) movement.

The gilets jaunes comprise a grassroots movement angry at everything from rising living costs to the cut in the national speed limit.

Over the past year they have staged many demonstrations, some of which have descended into violence.

The FCO says: “Motorists travelling through France may continue to experience some delays or blockages caused by local demonstrators.

“You should drive with caution as protestors may be present on roads, motorways and toll booths. In all cases, you should avoid demonstrations wherever possible and follow the advice of the local authorities.”

Worse is to follow next week. From Thursday 5 December, a slew of strikes across France will disrupt public transport “with cancellations and severe delays expected on trains, metros, buses and trams”.

The main grievance is public-sector retirement and pension reform. Les cheminots, as railway workers are known, are typically able to retire in their early 50s on a generous pension.

While Eurostar staff will be working normally, train services through the Channel Tunnel from London to Paris will be curtailed.

The train operator says: “The strike action will impact our ability to deliver the usual timetable as we expect disruption to signalling along all routes. As a result, we will now run a reduced timetable on 5 and 6 December.

Some Air France staff are expected to take industrial action.

“You should check services before travelling,” say the Foreign Office.

The television news channel France 24 is reporting that the gilets jaunes have reached the Indian Ocean island of Réunion, which is politically part of the French nation.

Protestors who are angry about the relative poverty on the island succeeded in blocking traffic for 20 days at a roundabout on the outskirts of the town of Le Tampon.