COPY LINK

TRAVEL NEWS

France suffers second day of sabotage train delays

Tens of thousands of rail passengers struggled through a second day of cancelled trains Saturday as investigators tracked saboteurs who paralysed the network just ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

Published: 27 July 2024 10:37 CEST
Updated: 27 July 2024 15:12 CEST

A high-speed train travels on the Bordeaux-Paris route at reduced speed, at Chartres, northern France on July 26, 2024, after high-speed services resumed following acts of sabotage on the country's rail network. Services remain disrupted this weekend. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP)

The SNCF rail company chief Jean-Pierre Farandou said services would be back to normal by Monday. But deputy transport minister authorities acknowledged that 160,000 of the 800,000 people due to travel this weekend still faced cancellations.

Nearly one third of trains were cancelled in northern, western and eastern France. About a quarter of Eurostar high speed trains between London and Paris also failed to leave.

No claim of responsibility has been made for the meticulously planned night-time attacks on cabling boxes at junctions north, southwest and east of the French capital, just ahead of Friday’s Olympics opening ceremony in Paris. Maintenance workers thwarted a fourth attack.

But Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the investigation was progressing.

“We have uncovered a certain number of elements that allow us to think that we will soon know who is responsible for what clearly did not sabotage the Olympic Games but did sabotage part of the holidays of the French people,” Darmanin told France 2 television.

French authorities are on high alert for a terrorist attack during the Games, which run through August 11. Tens of thousands of police and troops are on Olympics security duties.

Some 250,000 people missed their train on Friday, according to SNCF, because of the attacks that dozens of investigators are now working on.

Three in 10 trains cancelled

About three out of every 10 trains were cancelled Saturday in the three regions affected by the attacks, with most trains still operating delayed by between one and two hours, SNCF said.

Kathleen Cuvellier, speaking in the northern city of Lille, said her journey to Avignon in the south was going to be “hell”.

Cuvellier, travelling with her two-year-old son, said she now had to take a slow train to Paris and then switch to another for Avignon. “The travel time was four hours and now it’s going to be seven”.

“One doesn’t have any choice,” commented Cecile Bonnefond, whose train from Lille to the western city of Nantes was cancelled.

Trains to eastern France have largely returned to normal. But traffic will remain disrupted into Sunday in northern France and into Britain and Belgium, while services to western France would slowly improve, SNCF said.

The company said its staff worked through the night “in difficult conditions in the rain” to get the affected lines working again.

‘Back to normal’

The coordinated attacks staged at 4:00 am early Friday cut fibre optic cables running along the tracks that transmit safety information to train drivers. The attackers also set fire to the cables.

“Everything will be back to normal for Monday morning,” SNCF president Farandou told reporters at Paris Montparnasse station. “We will be ready”.

Most passengers at the station remained patient. But they were given regular loudspeaker reminders that “a malicious act” meant trains would be cancelled or delayed.

Due to the exceptional situation, SNCF station staff have been more flexible than usual, allowing more people on trains than there are seats or refraining from checking tickets.

Anyone planning to travel should check the latest on the SNCF information site here, or download the SNCF Connect app.

Member comments

Become a Member to leave a comment.

Travel warnings for Americans in France and vice versa

Most countries offer some travel advice for their citizens, and the US and France are no exception – although both countries stress the “friendly relations” between the two nations, they offer advice for Americans travelling to France, or French people travelling to the US.

People with a good knowledge of both countries might think that some of the warnings are rather harsh, and paint an exaggerated picture of the country, but here is the official advice.

Risks in France

The US State Department says that “relations between the United States and France are active and friendly”, but the country was still placed on the second level of out of the four ‘travel advisory levels’, this means that Americans should “exercise increased caution” when visiting.

The state department country page for France – which was last updated in September 2024 – notes that this is “due to terrorism and civil unrest”.

Terrorism

US authorities warn that “terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in France”.

“Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas,” the warn.

This is a fair advisory. In November 2015, France experienced its most deadly coordinated terrorist attack, where 130 people were killed, including 90 at the Bataclan concert hall. ISIS eventually claimed responsibility.

Recent attacks include the stabbing of three people in Paris 15th arrondissement in December 2023 by a man with psychiatric issues, as well as the murder of three Kurdish activists in Paris in October 2023, and notably the stabbing of a teacher in northern France by a man with ties to Islamist extremism.

The US government also warns that: “French police and military routinely patrol public spaces. You should expect security inspections (to include purses, bags, and backpacks) at the entrance to large public venues and businesses.”

Protests and strikes

Strikes and demonstrations in the streets are just a part of daily life in France, but the US government urges its citizens to take them seriously or better yet, avoid them altogether.

This piece of advice might invite some mockery from the French. Strikes and protests are so common in France that they can be pretty tricky to avoid entirely, especially if you live here.

Still, US authorities warn that “demonstrations can be unpredictable”, and that “French authorities may use chemical agents [tear gas] and water cannons to disperse crowds”.

While it’s true that trouble can flare up at protests, this tends to be from a small minority, usually at the end of the demo and not directed at uninvolved passers-by. Marches are often concentrated in the big cities, especially Paris, with routes published in advance so that you can stay away.

Strikes can certainly be disruptive, but it’s worth remembering that they usually delay and disrupt travel, rather than halting it altogether.

The US Embassy in France advises keeping an eye on local media (like The Local France) for updates. We couldn’t agree more – you can find our strike section here.

Crime

US authorities warn that “the majority of crimes directed against foreign visitors, including US citizens, involve pick-pocketing (passports, phones, cash, credit cards), vehicle and residential break-ins, bicycle theft, and other forms of theft.”

Pickpocketing can certainly be a problem, especially in Paris where you will regularly hear announcements on the Metro saying: “Des pickpockets peuvent être présents en station ou à bord des trains” (Pickpockets may be present at the station or on trains).

The advice is common sense – keep an eye on your belongings and lock up valuables.

The US Embassy in France also warns that visitors should be aware of ‘date-rape’ drugs, which are present in France. As such, you should “be cautious in bars and clubs where alcohol is served, and do not leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from strangers, as they may have slipped drugs into the drink.”

Travelling with a disability

Even though Paris hosted the Paralympic Games in 2024, accessibility in the capital – and the country at large – remains poor.

US authorities note that French law does prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities, but travellers with disabilities should “expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation and general infrastructure” adding: “Visitors to France should expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation (subway, specifically), lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure.

“Getting around French cities can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Many sidewalks are narrow and uneven, and cobblestone streets make access difficult, though major tourist sites generally have better facilities.”

While there have been efforts to improve accessibility – and leaders of the Paris region recently signed onto a plan that would make the Paris Metro system fully accessible in the next 20 years, the capital city is still a long way from being easy to get around for those with disabilities.

French drivers and public transport

Aggressive drivers are a common complaint from foreigners in France, especially those in rural areas.

US authorities seem to agree (at least a little bit). They warn that “lane markings and sign placements may not be clear. Drivers should be prepared to make last-minute manoeuvers” and that “right-of-way rules differ from those in the United States.”

While French drivers might be used to the busyness on the roads, especially in cities, with motorcycles and mopeds interweaving in traffic, Americans should be cautious.

“Bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, and electric skateboards are prevalent on streets, crosswalks and sometimes sidewalks. They have legal priority and often do not respect traffic signals,” the Embassy warns.

They also extend their road-related recommendations for pedestrians, saying they “should be cautious and aware of traffic even when they have a green walking signal since this is no guarantee against aggressive drivers.”

“Do not assume cars will stop for pedestrians on a crosswalk.”

Flying a drone

During the Olympic Games, the former French PM, Gabriel Attal, said that six drones were intercepted a day, but most of these were simply from “tourists wanting to take pictures”.

Those unlucky tourists found themselves under arrest, because the use of drones and drone footage is highly regulated in France.

The US Embassy warns visitors that “it is against the law in France to operate drones over public spaces (including museums, parks, streets) in urban areas and near airports, military bases, prisons, nuclear plants, and large gatherings such as outdoor concerts and parades.”

Failing to follow these rules can lead to hefty fines and even imprisonment. Thankfully, The Local has a helpful guide on what you need to know about flying a drone in France.

Risks in the United States

But travel warnings go both ways, and France has its own tips for US-bound French citizens.

Weather warnings

Americans can probably agree with the first piece of advice on France’s France’s recommendations page for travellers headed to the US.

It starts off with detailed advice about natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, forest fires and flooding. They list the radio channels that give weather updates for states on the Gulf of Mexico, where hurricanes are common.

Dangerous US cities

French authorities start off by saying “the United States is one of the safest countries in the world” – but then include a section on the cities and areas where tourists should exercise heightened caution.

The cities listed include nearly all large American metropolitan areas, from Los Angeles and San Francisco, to Chicago and Detroit, and east-coast cities like Boston, New York City, Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

To be fair to the French, the warning is not a blanket advisory to avoid these places. Instead, French authorities dive into the specific neighbourhoods that ought to be avoided at nighttime, as well as the types of crime that are common.

For example, they warn that in San Francisco, families should avoid certain streets in the centre of the city, notably the Tenderloin district known for open-air drug use.

They also note an “increase in car-jackings in most large American cities, involving violence and threats, sometimes with weapons.” US news outlets have also reported on this.

Interacting with police

The French advice for dealing with police is to “not to make false statements, not to raise your voice, and to avoid brusque or aggressive gestures.”

This advice is likely related to the issue of police brutality and officer-involved shootings in the United States (although of course police violence is also present in France).

Avoid opioids

The opioid crisis has been an ongoing issue in the United States, and French authorities are aware of it. Overdose rates have tripled in the past decade in the United States, and the presence of fentanyl has played a large role in that.

French authorities warn that ‘classic drugs’ (ie cocaine and heroin) are increasingly cut with synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, and that fentanyl “can be present in counterfeit medications, such as Xanax or oxycodone.”

They warn that “if you need pain medication, you should go to your local pharmacy and purchase an FDA-approved medication. Under no circumstances should you accept any pills that you do not buy from a pharmacy.”

No tolerance for jokes

When travelling by airplane, French authorities advise that people “answer the questions asked by employees seriously and precisely and to avoid making jokes about the contents of your baggage, as any ambiguous attitude could result in very serious problems with the security services (which could lead to incarceration).”

They also warn that “security measures taken by airlines, at the request of the American authorities, are likely to extend the time required for checks. It is recommended to make the necessary arrangements to get to the airport well in advance”.

On the topic of humour, French authorities recommend “[adopting] reserved attitude towards people of the opposite sex. Complaints of sexual harassment can also be made against minors.”

Better to leave your pick-up lines at home, Frenchies.

Prudish dress

In previous versions of the French advice page, visitors were warned that topless bathing is strictly forbidden in the US, even for little girls.

They seem to have dropped this line in the 2024 version, they did warn that “children, including babies, must wear a swimming costume (changing an infant or breast-feeding in public can be shocking in some places).”

Still, they did say Americans are “very tolerant” when it comes to dress. A backhanded compliment? Who can say . . .

Don’t freak out about guns

In their general advice, French authorities say: “In many states, the possession of firearms is authorised and commonplace. Visitors should therefore remain calm and composed in all circumstances.”

Expensive healthcare

Under the health section, French authorities gave a warning that Americans know all-too-well: “Medical infrastructure in the United States is excellent, but very expensive.”

As such, they recommend French visitors take out a travel health insurance plan to cover all medical expenses, warning that “under no circumstances will these costs be covered by the local French embassy or consulate general.”

What do you think of these warnings? Do you agree or disagree? Let us know in the comments below.

SHOW COMMENTS

Url copied to clipboard!