Quick answer: France is holding a national strike and day of demonstrations on Thursday, November 5, 2026. In Paris, the metro, buses and trams are expected to run normally, but 25 central metro stations close from 11 a.m. at police request, and several RER and Transilien suburban lines run reduced service (RER D is hit hardest, with about 1 train in 3). SNCF says at least 9 in 10 TGV and Intercités high-speed and intercity trains will run, while regional TER trains are disrupted in most regions. Eurostar has cancelled some trains. French civil aviation authority DGAC did not order airlines to cut flights at Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Orly, but expect slower check-in and security lines.
If you are in France today or arriving in the next few days, here is what is running, what is not, and how to keep your trip on track. Plans can change during the day, so always check the operator’s live updates before you leave.
Why is there a strike in France on November 5?
The day of action was called by an alliance of French trade unions (an “intersyndicale”). According to franceinfo, their demands focus on higher wages, public services and tax fairness, set against the government’s budget plans. For travelers, the practical effect is the same whatever your view: fewer trains on some lines, closed stations near the march route, and busier roads.
Paris metro, RER and buses today
Metro: normal service, but 25 stations closed from 11 a.m.
RATP, the Paris transit operator, expects normal metro service across the network. The exception is a list of 25 stations that close from 11 a.m. at the request of the Paris Police Prefecture because of the demonstration, according to Bonjour RATP. Trains pass through without stopping, so connections at those stations are not available. They reopen only when police allow it.
The closed stations include several big tourist stops: Charles de Gaulle – Étoile (Arc de Triomphe), George V, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau on the Champs-Élysées, Concorde, Tuileries, Madeleine, Invalides, Assemblée Nationale, Solférino, Rue du Bac, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Odéon, Mabillon, Cluny – La Sorbonne, Maubert – Mutualité, Sèvres – Babylone, Miromesnil, Argentine, Oberkampf, Richard-Lenoir, Saint-Ambroise, Voltaire, Charonne and Rue des Boulets. RATP also says service is suspended on one line between Kléber and Charles de Gaulle – Étoile from 11 a.m. Actu.fr carries the same list.
In practice, if your plans today include the Champs-Élysées, the Louvre side of the Tuileries, Saint-Germain or the Invalides area, plan to walk the last stretch from a station that is open, or visit in the morning before the closures start.
RER and Transilien: reduced service on most SNCF-run lines
According to the SNCF plan reported by franceinfo and the Transilien traveler page:
- RER A: normal service.
- RER B: 1 train in 2 on the northern section (Gare du Nord to Charles de Gaulle airport and Mitry-Claye), and 2 in 3 on the southern section.
- RER C: 1 train in 2.
- RER D: about 1 train in 3, the most disrupted line.
- RER E: 2 trains in 3.
- Transilien lines K, P and V: normal. Lines J, L, H, N, R and U are disrupted.
Trams, buses and cable cars are expected to run normally.
TGV, Intercités and regional trains
SNCF says long-distance TGV, Ouigo and Intercités traffic will be only “slightly disrupted,” with at least 9 trains in 10 running. Regional TER trains are a different story. SNCF lists disruption in most regions and “heavily disrupted” service in Brittany, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Hauts-de-France, and on some lines in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, including Grasse–Ventimiglia and Nice–Breil–Tende, per franceinfo. If you are booked on a TER, check the SNCF Connect app for your exact train before heading to the station. Our first-timer’s guide to train travel has general tips for navigating European stations when plans shift.
Eurostar between London and Paris
Eurostar’s travel updates page lists strike action in France on November 5 and shows trains 9004, 9015 and 9052 as cancelled because of strike action. It separately reports delays at Paris Gare du Nord today because of technical issues. If you hold a ticket for a cancelled train, Eurostar’s page is where to change or refund it.
Flights at Charles de Gaulle and Orly
DGAC did not ask airlines to reduce their schedules at Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Paris-Orly for November 5, as reported by Sortiraparis, citing TourMaG. That is a change from the September 29 strike, when DGAC asked for a 5% cut at Charles de Gaulle. The main air traffic controllers’ union, SNCTA, is not taking part. Airport ground staff unions have called on workers in check-in, security, cleaning and maintenance to strike, so lines may be longer even if your flight is on time. Our airport security tips can help you move faster through screening.
Getting to the airports
Getting to the airport may be harder than the flight itself. RER B runs only 1 train in 2 north of Gare du Nord toward Charles de Gaulle, and on weekdays it also stops running in the evening from 10:45 p.m. between Châtelet-Les Halles and the airport for engineering works, per Sortiraparis. Roissybus from Opéra and bus lines 350 and 351 are the alternatives, with RATP expecting normal bus service. For Orly, metro line 14 should run normally. Leave much earlier than usual.
Your rights if a flight or train is cancelled
Under EU air passenger rules, if your flight is cancelled the airline generally has to offer a refund or rebooking, plus meals and, if needed, a hotel during a long wait. Keep your receipts. Fixed compensation of 250 to 600 euros generally depends on who is striking. Sortiraparis notes that when DGAC orders cuts or airport staff walk out, this is usually treated as an “extraordinary circumstance” and compensation is not due, while a strike by the airline’s own employees usually does qualify. If you booked a package holiday, contact your tour operator first. For train tickets, check your operator’s own exchange and refund terms. This is general information, not legal advice, so check your airline’s or operator’s terms for your case.
Is more disruption coming?
Possibly. Sortiraparis reports that the “gilets jaunes” (yellow vests) movement has called for strikes, blockades and protests on Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7, including in Paris, which could close more stations. Separately, metro line 6 is closed on Sunday, November 8, for works. Wednesday, November 11, is a public holiday in France (Armistice Day), with holiday timetables on public transport. If you are planning a wider trip, our European train travel itinerary and our recent guide to the Naples Airport closure in November cover other disruptions worth knowing about this month.
Quick tips for travelers in France today
- Check the Bonjour RATP app, SNCF Connect, or your airline’s app right before you leave, not the night before.
- Avoid central Paris stations on the closure list after 11 a.m. and expect crowds near the march route.
- Allow extra time to reach Charles de Gaulle, and consider the bus if RER B is crowded.
- Keep receipts for meals, taxis and hotels if your trip is disrupted.
- Do museum and sightseeing plans in the morning, or pick spots away from the center.
FAQ
Is the Paris metro running on November 5, 2026?
Yes. RATP expects normal metro service, but 25 central stations, including Charles de Gaulle – Étoile, Concorde and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, close from 11 a.m. at police request.
Are flights cancelled at Paris airports because of the strike?
DGAC did not ask airlines to cut flights at Charles de Gaulle or Orly. Individual cancellations are still possible, and ground staff strikes may slow check-in and security.
Is Eurostar running during the France strike?
Mostly, but Eurostar lists trains 9004, 9015 and 9052 as cancelled on November 5 because of strike action. Check its travel updates page for your train.
How do I get to Charles de Gaulle airport during the strike?
RER B runs only 1 train in 2 on the airport branch. Roissybus from Opéra and buses 350 and 351 are alternatives, and RATP expects buses to run normally.
Can I get compensation if my flight is cancelled by the strike?
You are generally entitled to a refund or rebooking and care during long waits. The fixed 250 to 600 euro compensation usually is not owed when the cause is an air traffic control or airport staff strike, but usually is when the airline’s own staff strike.
Featured image: RER B train departing Paris-Nord underground station, by Remontees, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons, cropped.
