France has 1,500+ strikes and demonstrations per year. Most are local and minor. The big ones hit transit, air travel, schools, and gas stations. Knowing the rhythm means your trip isn't derailed.
Two mistakes tourists make: 1) they arrive on a known-strike day and panic; 2) they trust outdated news that says "no strikes today" and miss a last-minute call. Strikes have legal notice requirements in France — but "last-minute" still means 24–72h before.
The bigger picture: French strike culture is cyclical and politically driven. Major pension reform protests peak in spring (March–May). SNCF/transport strikes cluster in spring/early summer. Farmers block roads in autumn. Knowing the season = avoiding the worst.
Low / medium / high for your specific date and sector. Includes the historical strike frequency.
What to do if a strike is called. Real fallback options (Vélib, BlaBlaCar, walk, hotel near airport).
When you can refund your non-refundable ticket due to a strike (almost always — under EU passenger rights and French "Loi Diard 2007").
Yes. Under Loi Diard (2007), if your train is cancelled or delayed >30 min due to a strike, you can refund even a non-refundable ticket. The refund is automatic if you apply within 60 days. EU passenger rights also apply for cross-border trains.
Operators publish strike notices 24h–72h before. SNCF posts on sncf-connect.com; RATP on ratp.fr. News outlets BFMTV, Le Monde, and Le Parisien cover it. Apps like "Grève Info" aggregate.
Occasionally. The peak was 2018–2019. Since then, residual action on Saturdays at roundabouts, sometimes Paris. Not a daily disruption anymore but check news if traveling.