Strikes and protests across France this October

Several major strikes and protests are set to rock France this month… and more could be on the way. 

Growing discontent from both unions and the public over issues such as the high price of fuel, cost of living crisis, and measures included in the draft 2027 budget, could see widespread protests hit France for the rest of the year.

In addition to the ongoing lycée protests, a new round of the populist protests that could see a return of France’s ‘Yellow Vests’ movement are set for mid-October.  

Trade unions have called for a ‘general mobilisation’ including both public- and private-sector workers, retirees, and students/pupils, on November 5.

Unions may, however, call for further action, either united or within specific branches, across the coming months.

Much depends on the 2027 budget, and parliamentary debates set to take place in October over the text could see elements added or removed, affecting whether unions call for action.

Below, we cover the protests and strikes announced across October as well as actions that may continue later into the year. 

We will add to this if any further action is confirmed.

Lycée and university protests: ongoing 

Lycée (ages 15 - 17/18) pupils have been protesting since the end of September, citing funding issues, large class sizes, poor facilities, overworked teachers, and a lack of supply staff. 

Protests have gripped the country, affecting major cities and towns and resulting in several clashes between police and protesters. 

Significant violence has been recorded, with more than 6,000 arrests and over 1,000 injuries. 

A major day of protest and demonstrations was organised on October 6, which saw between 900 and 1,800 lycées closed or disrupted, and sections of all mainland universities blockaded.

Trade unions joined this march to protect pupils and limit violence.

The protests currently show no sign of slowing down, and are set to continue further into the month. 

This includes a new round of national demonstrations today (October 8).

While the student unions have to give advance notice of demonstrations and marches, blockades outside school have often been spontaneous, and the exact disruption is not known in advance.

The education ministry has been closing schools to limit protests taking place outside establishments that have seen considerable disruption. 

Gilets jaunes protests: October 17 

France’s ‘Yellow Vests’ movement is expected to return to the streets this month.

Several posts across social media calling for a new round of the populist protests have been making the rounds, calling for a first day of demonstrations on October 17 in light of high fuel prices and a cost of living crisis. 

The action, taking place on a Saturday, is not a strike but a form of popular protest and if turnout is high future ‘Actes’ on subsequent weekends are possible.

Similar to the original protests, which began in 2018, demonstrations in town centres and roundabouts are expected.

However, the creators of the original movement say they are not behind the renewed calls, and as the protests are by nature decentralised, little is known about them or the expected turnout.

A large turnout is possible, however, as other groups have begun to call on people to join the demonstrations.

This includes the Greens, French Communist Party and the far-left La France Insoumise.

Truckers and coach drivers: October 21 

The Organisation des Transporteurs Routiers Européens (European trucker's organisation, OTRE) and Fédération des autocaristes indépendants (coach operator’s federation) have called on members to ‘blockade’ the capital with vehicles on October 21. 

The call for action comes in light of rising fuel costs and what the organisations see as a lack of support for the sector including the exclusion of truck drivers’ from certain fuel aid schemes.

Coaches and trucks are set to block roads in and around the capital, and the organisations have hinted that the disruption could last over several days, continuing after October 21. 

Exact disruption however remains unknown, as drivers could engage with several actions, including total blockades and ‘go-slow’ operations. 

Paris public transport: September 28 - ongoing 

The CGT branch of the RATP (Paris public transport operator) announced an ‘unlimited’ strike taking place from September 28, over the cost of living and its effect on employees. 

An ‘unlimited’ strike motion does not mean that all employees will necessarily walk out across the entire period, but gives them the option to do so until the motion is cancelled. 

Employees however must still give notice of their intention to strike within the legal notice period (usually 24 to 48 hours depending on their role). 

Disruption to the Paris metro, trams buses, and the RER A and B lines where they pass through the inner-city of Paris is possible, but so far disruptions have been limited.

So far, no other union has joined the action, limiting the level of disruption. 

TotalEnergies workers: October 8 

The CGT union also called on workers at energy giant TotalEnergies to strike today (October 8). 

The motion covered employees across all TotalEnergies sites, including refineries, depots, and service stations.

As of midday Thursday, TotalEnergies employees were blocking fuel shipments to several of the group's refineries and biorefineries, including at Le Havre, Donges and La Mède, FranceInfo reported. 

Despite the blockades, which began at dawn, the group claimed its supply lines were largely unaffected, saying that it "continues to ensure supplies to its network of service stations and its customers through its various logistical means."

On top of the refinery action, 27 service stations of the company's Argedis subsidiary were closed Thursday due to strikes, according to the CGT, although TotalEnergies put the number at just 11. This represents a tiny portion of the 3,300 service stations belonging to the group.

The union called the strike over working conditions and a cost of living crisis, in particular caused by energy prices, as well as to demand more stable employment with long-term contracts (CDIs) and a recruitment drive.

The strike was only set to last for one day and so far there has been no official call to extend the strike, or for future action.

French pilots and cabin crew: October 17 - 21 

Several unions representing pilots and cabin crew based in France have called for workers to walk out across the first part of the Toussaint school holidays. 

The strike action has been called over planned changes to pension rules regarding taking pensions while continuing to work, which unions say unfairly impacts pilots and cabin crew who often need to retire early from the role due to health and safety restrictions.

Exact disruption is not yet known and unions may call off the strike if an agreement is reached with the government, but employees will have to give advance notice if they plan to walk out across the weekend. 

Anyone planning to fly over the period should keep up to date with information from their airline. 

Air Corsica pilots: October 9 - 16 

Separate to the call above, pilots at Air Corsica have filed a strike motion for the week prior to the Toussaint holidays. 

Pilots are striking following disagreement over a new company agreement, which they say provides insufficient wages and social benefits for pilots.

Most of the airline’s routes could be disrupted by the strike, and passengers should keep up to date with information about their journey through the airline.

Firefighters: September 8 - October 20 

French firefighters will continue strike action until October 20. 

Action is taking place nationwide as firefighters demand improved funding for equipment and improved services in light of major wildfires this summer. 

Minimum service requirements mean that local pompiers units will still operate and respond to medical and fire emergencies. 

However, they may be slightly slower to respond to non-urgent issues, and as part of strike action may not take part in training, administrative tasks, or ceremonial duties. 

Energy workers: July 21 - December 31

An ongoing strike motion covering EDF, Enedis, and RTE workers (the latter two companies oversee France’s electrical grid) is in place until December 31, 2026.

Backed by several unions, the strike is against plans to strip back the ‘tarif agent’, a preferential energy tariff for employees of the agencies. 

There are no plans for scheduled power cuts, however there may be a delay from the services in responding to callouts, on-site interventions, standard maintenance work, or customer service complaints.