Update to our October 30 France story: Paris police have now set security zones around two major rail stations, closed metro stops and extended curfews for today’s protests. The November 5 national rail strike is still on.
October 31, 2026 — Paris is under tight security for Saturday’s protests. Police have fenced off the areas around Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon, shut Charles de Gaulle-Étoile station, and set overnight curfews in central districts through Monday morning. France’s Interior Minister described the risk of urban violence as “very high.”
What’s new since yesterday
- Station security zones (Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.): A Paris Police Prefecture order puts perimeters around Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon, including their forecourts. Trains are running, but only travelers, residents and authorized people may enter. Expect ID checks, requests to show a ticket, pat-downs and bag searches. Anyone who refuses can be turned away.
- Metro and RER closures: Charles de Gaulle-Étoile (RER A, lines 1, 2 and 6) is closed all day; trains pass through without stopping. At Invalides (RER C, lines 8 and 13) the street entrances are shut, but trains still stop for connections. More stations near the National Assembly, the Champs-Élysées and the march route could close at short notice. Tram T3 may be suspended on its eastern section in the afternoon. On October 24, more than 30 stations were closed.
- Bike share: 110 Vélib’ stations between Châtelet-Les Halles and the Champs-Élysées have been closed since Friday and reopen gradually overnight Sunday into Monday.
- March moved to the outskirts: Police banned routes through Bastille, Nation and Concorde. The authorized march runs from Porte de Bagnolet to Porte de Charenton along the Boulevards des Maréchaux, gathering from noon and starting at 2:00 p.m. The prefecture expects 100,000 to 150,000 people.
- Curfews: A general curfew applies around République and Les Halles from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on the nights of October 31 and November 1 (residents, workers and emergency services are exempt). Separate curfews for unaccompanied minors run through November 2 in several Paris districts, at the Aéroville mall next to Charles de Gaulle Airport, and around shopping centers in Hauts-de-Seine, including La Défense.
Coming up: November 3–7
| Date | What | Who / services |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 3 | SNCF management meets unions on pay; student protests | Strike could be confirmed or called off after the meeting |
| Wed, Nov 4 | SNCF publishes strike-day timetables | Usually from about 5:00 p.m. |
| Thu, Nov 5 | National rail strike and nationwide general strike | CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail, CFDT-Cheminots; TGV, Intercités, TER, and possibly RER/Transilien and some international trains |
| Fri, Nov 6 – Sat, Nov 7 | Further “Yellow Vest” actions | Rolling strikes Nov 6; protest day Nov 7 |
No minimum-service level has been published for November 5. As of the latest reports, the Paris metro operator RATP had not filed a strike notice for that day. The US advisory for France stays at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
What it means for airline travelers
- Using Gare du Nord or Gare de Lyon today? Arrive early, carry your passport and your ticket, and travel light. Allow at least an extra hour for Eurostar or TGV departures.
- Getting to and from the airports: RER B (Gare du Nord) and the Roissybus are the usual links to Charles de Gaulle. Check RATP and SNCF Connect before you leave, and consider a taxi or ride-share if a station on your route is closed.
- Evenings: Stay away from République, Châtelet and Bastille after 8:00 p.m., and respect the curfew zones.
- November 5: If you plan to fly standby into Paris and continue by train, build in a spare day or plan an alternative such as a rental car or a flight to your final city. Final train schedules come out the evening of November 4.
- Refunds: When SNCF announces special measures, TGV INOUI and Intercités tickets can be exchanged or refunded free. Refunds are not always automatic, so check your SNCF Connect account.
- US citizens can enroll in STEP; Canadians can use Registration of Canadians Abroad.
Sources
- Sortiraparis — October 31 demonstration: Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon under protection (updated Oct. 30)
- Sortiraparis — October 31 protest in Paris: route, metro, curfews—what you need to know (updated Oct. 30)
- Sortiraparis — October 31 protest: which Metro, RER, tram and Vélib’ stations will be closed on Saturday? (updated Oct. 30)
- Sortiraparis — SNCF strike on November 5, 2026: trains, RER, what we know
- U.S. Embassy Paris — Security Alert, October 29, 2026
- The Connexion — French rail unions join November 5 strike
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