Strikes in France in September 2025 and how you may be impacted

A busy month of strikes across several key sectors is expected in France, which could lead to a ‘black month’ for residents.

While taxi drivers announced a planned strike on September 5 is postponed due to the government’s uncertain future, significant action is expected elsewhere. 

This includes a major nationwide protest on September 10, which is now being supported by unions including the CGT and Solidaires.

The ‘bloquons tous’ is not strictly a strike – and is expected to act more similarly to the gilets jaunes protests – but unions have said they will help support anyone looking to join the wider social movement by acting as a vessel for strike notices. 

Elsewhere, the ‘FO’ union has called for a ‘general strike’ from its members, supporting strike motions across any sector between September 1 and November 30.

Eight major unions have come together  to call for strike action on September 18 in protest over plans for the 2026 budget.

Below, we review other main strikes for the upcoming month. 

Farmers - September 26 

France's two major farming unions have called for a major day of action on September 26, in protest to foreign food imports, US tariffs, and the EU-South American 'Mercosur' trade deal.

Union leaders have said major road blocks are not being scheduled, but demonstrations will be held outside locations such as major supermarkets and prefecture buildings.

Emergency pharmacists - September 18, 27 and pharmacists - ongoing

Long-running strike action in the pharmacy sector will continue with two strikes by emergency pharmacists.

A major strike on September 18 (a Thursday) will be followed by action on September 27 (a Saturday). 

The latter is set to start a pattern of weekly Saturday strikes.

Other pharmacies may join this action following a major protest in August that saw close to 90% of pharmacies shut on August 16.

A strike motion backed by major pharmacy unions and federations is still covering the sector, and has no defined end-date.

Gas and electricity workers - September 2-ongoing

The CGT union has called on workers in the energy sector to strike over wages, pension conditions, as well as to return French energy bills to the lower 5.5% VAT threshold (they were recently increased to 20%).

The 24-hour strike is renewable each day, giving workers the opportunity to walk out as they wish, and there is no official end date to the action.

As of September 2, no other union in the sector has called for workers to join the action, although they may encourage workers to down tools on September 10 or 18 alongside wider protests. 

The union says energy access for homes will not be impacted by the strike action, and there are no threats of any blackout.

Teachers and school staff - ongoing 

A strike in the education sector that began on August 18 is set to continue until October, possibly increasing in intensity as the school term begins on Monday September 1. 

School closures are possible as well as potential disruptions to lessons and behind the scenes administration at all levels of establishments from primary schools (écoles) up to universities. 

Civil servants - September 1-30 

A month of action by civil servants has been called by the FO and FSU unions in opposition to the 2026 budget, notably over job cuts and austerity measures, a lack of pay rises for public sector workers and cuts to public services. 

The wide-ranging motion applies to civil servants and public sector workers across many sectors, including local administration, state bureaucratic agencies, as well as hospitals and (once again) school staff.

Disruption is expected in all of these sectors throughout the month. 

RadioFrance - ongoing 

Starting on August 25, strike action at France’s public service radio broadcaster will continue. 

Called over plans to amalgamate several public service media networks under one umbrella, the strike has led to certain radio stations – particularly France Inter and France Culture – being unable to air scheduled programmes. 

There is currently no end date to the strike. 

Driving instructors - September 29 

A day of strike action - the first of its kind - has been called by driving instructors over the current difficulties for students to acquire a permit. 

Instructors say that long delays to find a free driving test slot, high costs to acquire a permit, and many departments breaking legal limits between theory and practice tests are contributing factors to increased tension from students.

Instructors are also calling on students to have a minimum of 28 hours of lessons (up from the current 20) to increase success rates from first tests.