Update to earlier coverage of protests and strikes in France.
October 30, 2026 — The US Embassy in Paris put out a new security alert late on October 29. It warns that violent protests in France are continuing, that more demonstrations are called for Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, and that local curfews, including in some Paris-area neighborhoods, may stay in place. Canada updated its France advice on October 28, and a national strike day that includes SNCF rail is still set for Thursday, November 5.
What’s new
- US Embassy Paris security alert (October 29): Groups have called for protests on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31. The embassy says recent demonstrations turned violent, with heavy property damage, looting and attacks on police, and that police used tear gas. Protest routes have mostly been outside city centers, but they can change at the last minute.
- Curfews: Curfews in parts of France, including some neighborhoods around Paris, may continue. Local authorities set them and can bring them in at short notice.
- Transport impacts named in the alert: closures or delays on the Metro and rail, plus road blockades and traffic disruption.
- US advisory level: France stays at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (terrorism and unrest). The level did not change.
- Canada (updated October 28, 08:48 ET): Global Affairs Canada updated the demonstrations part of its France advice. The risk level stays at “exercise a high degree of caution.” Canada notes large demonstrations since late September, more planned in several cities on October 31 and November 5, possible partial curfews at short notice, tear gas, and disruption to public services and transport before, during and after protests.
November 5 national strike day
| Sector | What’s been reported |
|---|---|
| Called by | CFDT, CGT, FO, Unsa and FSU (joint call against the 2027 budget) |
| SNCF rail | National rail strike called by CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots. TGV, Intercités, TER and commuter lines may be affected. Cancellation lists: TBA. |
| Air traffic control | DGAC controllers are covered by public-sector strike notices and must declare by noon Tuesday, November 3. As of October 28, the DGAC had not asked airlines to cut flights. |
| Airports | SUD Aérien has urged airport workers to join. Scale: TBA. |
| Paris RATP | No strike notice reported as of October 28. |
Public-sector strike notices for November 5 were due by Friday, October 30. The DGAC usually announces any flight-reduction requests the evening before a strike.
What it means for airline travelers
- Arriving this weekend: Allow extra time between Paris airports and the city on October 30 and 31. Check RATP and Île-de-France Mobilités for Metro closures and SNCF for regional trains before you leave the terminal.
- Curfews: Check the local mairie or prefecture for curfew hours where you are staying. A late arrival or a missed standby flight could leave you crossing town after a curfew starts.
- Avoid protests: Keep away from marches and large gatherings even when they look peaceful, because the embassy says recent ones turned violent quickly.
- November 5: If you need a TGV or TER connection that day, move it to November 4 or 6 if you can, and watch SNCF Connect for the cancellation list. If you’re flying standby into or out of France that day, have a backup flight in mind in case the DGAC asks airlines to cut schedules, because displaced passengers fill the open seats.
- Register: US citizens can enroll in STEP; Canadians can sign up for Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA).
- Insurance: Check whether your travel insurance covers delays from strikes or civil unrest, as many policies exclude events already announced before you bought cover.
Sources
- US Embassy & Consulates in France — Security Alert – U.S. Embassy Paris, France – October 29, 2026
- Government of Canada — France travel advice (last updated October 28, 2026)
- Travelweek — Canada updates France travel advisory ahead of planned demonstrations
- Airkarma — France Strike, 5 November 2026: Flights, Airports, What We Know
- Visit World — Transport strikes in Europe in November 2026
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