France Today: 5 November 2026

Thursday 5 November is a national day of strikes and demonstrations over pay. Transport, schools and public services will be disrupted in Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux and elsewhere, and Lyon also faces a full day of rain.

City news

Rain all day in Lyon, with a high of 12 degrees

Rain returns to Lyon this Thursday and should last all day. Clouds moving up from the south will bring fairly steady rain into the night. It was 5 degrees on Thursday morning and the temperature should reach 12 degrees, so if you have to walk or cycle because of the transport strike, bring waterproofs.

Source: Lyon Capitale

Strikes, protests and transport disruption

Paris and Île-de-France brace for a heavy strike day

In Paris and the wider Île-de-France region, the cross-sector strike (grève interprofessionnelle, meaning workers from many industries walking out together) is expected to draw strong support. Transport, airports, schools, hospitals, government offices and other public services may all be affected. If you have an appointment, a flight or school drop-off today, plan for disruption.

Source: France 3 Paris Île-de-France

Lyon’s public transport largely halted and city centre closed off

In Lyon, most public transport will either stop or run with major disruption on Thursday. The city centre will also be closed off for security reasons. Once again the city will run at reduced speed, and the repeated use of these measures has caused controversy over their impact.

Source: France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Bordeaux march sets off from place de la République at 12:30

In Bordeaux, the demonstration registered by the intersyndicale (the joint coalition of trade unions) will leave place de la République at 12:30. The préfecture de la Gironde, the state’s local representative, has not banned it. The strike is expected to affect transport and schools.

Source: Rue89 Bordeaux

More than 250 actions planned across France

A union map lists more than 250 actions around the country. Unions have called on employees and civil servants to strike over pay, and on young people and retirees to join the marches. The government is expected to respond with concrete measures.

Source: franceinfo

Police set the Paris route from République to Nation

In Paris, the préfecture de police has imposed a new route on Thursday’s union march, from République to Nation. It cited the risk of public disorder. Expect road closures and crowds along this route through the east of the city.

Source: France 3 Paris Île-de-France

Cost of living

Gas prices up, fuel down: will either last?

A franceinfo discussion led by Alban Mikoczy looked at rising gas prices in France and asked whether they will keep climbing in the coming months. Fuel prices have fallen, but the panel questioned whether that will last. Households that heat with gas may want to keep an eye on their bills this winter.

Source: franceinfo Économie

Can employers afford to raise pay?

One of the strike’s main demands is simple: higher pay so people can make ends meet each month. The government is considering a boost to the Smic, France’s statutory minimum wage. A report from inside one company shows how divided employers are over whether they can give staff a raise.

Source: franceinfo Société

What it means for foreign residents

• If you are flying from Paris today, check with your airline and airport before you leave, because airports are among the services expected to be disrupted (France 3 Paris Île-de-France).
• Appointments at government offices, including those for residence paperwork, may be affected, so confirm before you travel (France 3 Paris Île-de-France).
• In Lyon, expect little public transport and a closed city centre, and allow extra time to get around on foot in the rain (France 3 Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Lyon Capitale).
• Parents in Bordeaux should check with their child’s school, as the strike is expected to affect schools there (Rue89 Bordeaux).

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