The 5 November 2026 strike across France is very likely to be significant. Transport and museums will be heavily disrupted. A day to plan ahead for both visitors and Parisians. But don’t see everything in black. Below, we’ve outlined a few precautions to take to minimise any disruption.
Note : at the end of the text you will find
1/ Maps of the arrondissements located "outside the strike zone" (Hotel bookings + places to visit in the arrondissement)
2/ A photo gallery linked to the article
3/ Your Bonus: 5 invaluable tips to help you organise and enjoy your stay in Paris
What are the key points for a tourist to consider
The 5 November 2026 strike is expected to last all day. Trade unions have announced a 24-hour action. Disruptions will begin at midnight and continue until the end of the evening (and slightly beyond to restore transport systems).
The 5 November 2026 strike mainly targets transport
Nothing has been definitively decided by the unions yet. It seems transport will be the hardest hit. However, this does not mean all transport services will be at a standstill.
This means you should avoid taking the metro, RER, or buses in Paris during peak hours—namely between 7:30 and 9:30 AM in the morning and 4:30–8:00 PM in the late afternoon.
The metro will operate partially. Only a few lines (such as Line 1 and Line 14, which are fully automated) should run normally. The others may face complete closures or very spaced-out intervals. Metro, RER, and buses will therefore run at reduced capacity. Some lines could be entirely shut down. Plan alternative routes for your travels. Check real-time updates on RATP.fr.
The RER will also be disrupted. Lines A, B, and D will experience delays or train cancellations. Parisian stations like Châtelet or Gare du Nord will be packed. Avoid peak hours if possible.
Buses will offer an alternative, but with longer travel times. Traffic jams will slow down your trips. Opt for night buses if you need to go out late. For walking route ideas, check out this stroll from Pigalle to Sacré-Cœur.
Avoid taking a "Grandes lignes" train (TGV) to other French cities between 3 p.m. on November 4 and 10 a.m. on November 6.
Consider alternatives: cycling, scooters, or walking. Vélib’ stations will be in high demand. Rent a bike in advance to avoid long queues. For a well-organized stay, check out our guide for a first visit to Paris.
The museums and monuments may also be affected by the November 5, 2026 strike
Some museums will close. Others will limit access. A situation that echoes the frequent social movements in France.
The Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay should remain open. However, expect longer queues. Audioguides may be unavailable, and guided tours will be canceled.
Landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe should still be accessible. Opt for skip-the-line tickets to save time. Elevators may operate at reduced speed.
Other key factors to consider
It’s important to be realistic. Not all Parisians are on strike. Striking workers represent only a few percent of employees, and they are gathering to march only in eastern Paris and on the Right Bank of the Seine.
Strike marches in Paris are localized
We have marked on the Paris map the usual locations where protest marches take place. This is between Place de la République, Place de la Bastille and Place de la Nation (circles on the map below). Unless you wish to participate (at your own risk), stay away from this area.
Almost all the must-see museums and monuments are located outside the protest zone
The map is clear. Only the Bastille district should be avoided. Even the Marais district in its western part should not be disrupted.
Consequences of the November 5, 2026 strike: choose a hotel in the right location for your stay
The consequence, if you wish to visit the open museums without having to walk too far (if getting a metro train is uncertain), is to choose a hotel
Far from the districts where the marches will take place. That is to say, avoid the 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th arrondissements
Close to major monuments and museums, namely the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 18th arrondissements
You will find below the hotels by arrondissement away from the strikers, along with additional information on the Points of Interest in each of these arrondissements.
Hotels by arrondissement in unaffected areas: direct online booking
1st arrondissement (Hotel booking and Points of Interest)
2nd arrondissement (Hotel booking and Points of Interest)
5th arrondissement (Hotel booking and Points of Interest)
6th arrondissement (Hotel booking and Points of Interest)
7th arrondissement (Hotel booking and Points of Interest)
8th arrondissement (Hotel bookings and Points of interest)
9th arrondissement (Hotel bookings and Points of interest)
18th arrondissement (Hotel bookings and Points of interest)
This information should help you avoid most of the inconveniences this strike may cause. However, it should not exempt you from planning your time carefully while you're in Paris. Below, we’re offering you a bonus to help with the challenging task of organizing your stay in Paris.
Strike updates: update on November 3, 2026
We’ll provide an update on the November 5 strike, 36 hours beforehand, to keep you informed of the latest developments in the protests.
Bonus: 5 essential tips to help you plan and enjoy your stay in Paris
Have you noticed that our website offers tools to help you easily organize your trip to Paris so your stay is stress-free and a success?
1. Phrasebook Translator for those who don’t speak French fluently
Having trouble finding the right word or phrase in French? Click here on PHRASEBOOK – or in the top right corner of your screen. It’s a lexicon of 100 useful words and/or expressions for a tourist visiting Paris. You’ll feel at ease in restaurants, hotels, shops, the metro, greetings, asking for directions, and more. Eight languages are available. And guess what? You can also listen to each word and phrase in French.
2. The VPBY Trip Generator
There are many interesting and educational things to see in Paris. We strongly recommend organizing your stay well. To help you, we offer you, FREE OF CHARGE, our Trip Generator.
In just 5 minutes and 5 clicks, you’ll get your half-day-by-half-day itinerary. Plus, all reservations—if you like, with no obligation—for the sites you want to visit. You can also book your transport (plane, train, or car) and your accommodation. We can even suggest valuable gift ideas for you, your friends, and your family.
How does it work?
Click on "Paris Trip Organizer"—completely free—to avoid the hassle of trying to see as much as possible in the shortest time. Then, you’ll need to make your choices:
1/ You select your "general preferences" by clicking on the list (Museums, Churches, Monuments, Parks, etc.);
2/ The VPBY Trip Generator then provides you with all relevant listings;
3/ You select by clicking on the names of the museums, monuments, parks, or activities you wish to include;
4/ The organizer returns your itinerary for each day of your stay;
5/ with geographically optimized daily visits—if you wish—to avoid tiring and tedious travel.
This is done in 5 clicks and just 3 minutes. And it’s completely free. To use it, click on "Paris Trip Organizer".
Note: Want to know what users of the VPBY Trip Generator think of their experience? Click on "They planned their trip with VPBY".
3. List of Reservations to Make
You have free access to our database to "get to know" Paris (Click on Paris Guide) and discover Paris (Click on Places to Visit). And to avoid wasting time in lines, we recommend making your reservations directly online a few days in advance. All official reservations are available and accessible on our website:
Reservations to enter museums, monuments, shows, Seine cruises
Reservations for your arrival in France: flights, trains, cars
Reservations for your accommodation: hotels, apartments, guesthouses – in Paris or nearby
You will find links to all these reservations directly in the articles about the tours that interest you or in the self-guided itineraries of our walks. By clicking on "Reservations" in the header bar, you will have access to all the reservations you need during your stay. For example:
Notre-Dame de Paris entry reservation (Free entry but reservation recommended to avoid queues)
Book tickets for Château de Versailles: Entry + Gardens Access + Trianon Estate
4. Bring Home Collector’s Paris Souvenir Photos
These are high-definition collector’s photos available in digital format or as long-lasting prints (75 to 100 years). Their size ranges from postcard to large-scale art prints (up to 1 m or more). A lifelong keepsake to decorate your home. Premium-quality souvenirs (unlike typical plastic Eiffel Towers or snow globes). At very affordable prices. Click on:
5. Return with a personalized photo report of your stay in Paris
Reportage by professional photographers in Paris at locations of your choice or suggested by us. A "family" shoot, wedding, or other events. From 1 hour to a full day. The best quality-to-price ratio. Click on:
