Strikes and protests in February 2026 and how you may be impacted

February begins with a mix of local disruption and rolling strikes in parts of the public sector. No major national strikes have been announced.

Below is a summary of confirmed strike action and ongoing notices. This article will be updated as further action is announced.

Louvre museum staff 

Strike action by staff at the Louvre, which began in December, appears close to ending after nearly two months.

Unions are expected to present a draft agreement to staff at a general assembly today, Monday, February 2.

Union leaders are not calling for further strike action, although individual staff technically remain free to continue.

The dispute centred on pay and working conditions, with a remaining sticking point reported to be a pay gap of around €200 per month between Louvre staff and workers directly employed by the Ministry of Culture.

Since December, the museum has closed to the public on several Mondays and, on other days, opened late following staff meetings. The strike has reportedly cost the museum around €400,000 each day.

If the agreement is approved, the Louvre is expected to return to normal opening hours this week, although some disruption cannot be ruled out at short notice.

Le Mans buses and trams

No buses or trams are running in Le Mans (Sarthe) today due to a strike by staff at public transport operator Setram.

The action was called by the FO and Unsa unions following an assault on two transport staff by school pupils on January 13. 

Around 300 employees gathered outside the Sarthe prefecture on Monday morning, with a union delegation due to be received by the prefect.

Setram has confirmed that all bus and tram services are suspended for the day. Services are expected to resume as normal on Tuesday, February 3.

Road traffic in the city is heavier than usual, with residents advised to allow extra time for journeys.

National public finance staff (DGFiP)

A nationwide strike notice covering staff at France’s public finance authority, the Direction générale des Finances publiques (DGFiP), remains in force throughout February.

Filed by the CGT Finances Publiques union, the notice allows staff at tax offices and public finance services to take action on selected days without advance warning.

CGT members are protesting widespread reforms to the sector, including the retirement age, and changes to sick leave. 

Strike notices do not mean continuous action, but enable local walk-outs or reduced staffing levels, depending on the mobilisation of employees.

Tax offices and related administrative services may be disrupted.

National civil service – Solidaires Fonction Publique

The union Solidaires Fonction Publique has filed a nationwide strike notice covering large parts of the civil service through to the end of March.

The notice applies to state civil servants and associated public bodies, allowing intermittent action on dates chosen by the union or local representatives.

Personnel are protesting budget cuts, which they say have led to the deterioration of working conditions as well as reduced pay for maternity and sick leave.

As with other rolling strike notices, action is not continuous and may vary significantly by sector and location.

Some state administrative services may experience reduced capacity on strike days.