October 2 strike: transport, schools, airports, demonstrations, what to expect in Paris?

The strike of October 2, 2025 follows on from the mobilization of September 18, which had already caused serious disruption totransport and education in the Paris region. Theintersyndicale, made up of eight trade union organizations(CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA, FSU and Solidaires), is calling for the mobilization to be amplified following the failure of talks with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on September 24 at Matignon. "The Prime Minister gave no clear response to the expectations of working men and women," lamented Marylise Léon, General Secretary of the CFDT, as she left the meeting.

The unions denounce the government's lack of concrete answers to their main demands: the abandonment of the 2026 budget project, notably the doubling of medical deductibles, the elimination of 3,000 civil servant posts and the reform of unemployment insurance. They are also calling for the repeal of the 2023 pension reform. This mobilization is intended to put pressure on the executive before the presentation of the Finance Bill, scheduled for October 15 at the latest in the National Assembly. We take a look at the expected disruptions to transport, schools and hospitals in the capital and the Paris region, as well as the route of the demonstration.

What is the route of the demonstration?

A demonstration is scheduled to take place in Paris on Thursday, October 2. The procession will set off at 2pm from Place d'Italie in the 13th arrondissement to Place Vauban in the 7th arrondissement, near Les Invalides. This route was confirmed on Monday September 29 by BFMTV. The inter-union meeting point will be at the corner of rue Lebrun and rue des Gobelins, for those wishing to join specific processions . The route will enable demonstrators to cross a large part of the capital, from south-east to west, to make their demands heard by public authorities. Traffic controls will be in place around the demonstration route, notably in the vicinity of Place d'Italie at the start and in the 7th arrondissement at the finish. Motorists should anticipate disruptions and detour throughout the afternoon.

The "Bloquons Tout" movement could also join in this day of action, adding road blockades to rail disruptions and further complicating travel in the capital and Île-de-France. Beyond Paris, mobilizations are planned in several major French cities, including Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nantes and Strasbourg. The CGT is offering an interactive map to locate the various rallies across the country.

October 2 strike: the route of the Paris demonstration
An interprofessional strike is mobilizing Paris this Thursday, October 2, 2025, with a demonstration starting from Place d'Italie at 2pm and heading for Place Vauban. The union is opposed to the draft 2026 budget. [Read more]

What disruptions will there be on the Ile-de-France transport network?

This Thursday, October 2, 2025, transport users in the Paris region will have to cope with a new day of mobilization called by the inter-union coalition, but disruptions are expected to be on a smaller scale than during the September 18 strike. Traffic will be normal to near-normal on the metro, tramway and automatic lines 1, 4 and 14, while RER D and Transilien line R will be severely disrupted. RER lines A and B will be running normally, offering users alternatives. Don't forget to consult the line-by-line forecasts, which will be updated according to RATP and SNCF announcements.

Strike on October 2, 2025: RATP and SNCF disruptions in Paris and the Île-de-France region
The strike on October 2, 2025 looks set to be less widespread on public transport in the Paris region. RATP and SNCF forecasts predict disrupted traffic on some RER and Transilien lines, notably lines D and R. We take stock. [Read more]

What to expect at airports

French airports will be on strike this Thursday, October 2, 2025. While the Ministry of Transport is reassuring about Paris airports, the DGAC is announcing a 30% reduction in flights at Beauvais, and is urging passengers to check the status of their flights.

An airport strike hit France on Thursday, October 2, 2025, with more than 75 strikers declared to date. Despite this industrial action mobilizing several unions, including the CGT, FO, CFDT and UNSA, disruptions at Paris airports are expected to remain limited, according to the Ministry of Transport, which is mainly referring to possible delays. However, the situation is more complex at Paris Beauvais, where the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) has asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 30% for the day. In view of these disruptions, the DGAC urges passengers to check with their airline to find out the status of their flight before arriving at the airport, and reminds them that travellers have specific rights under European regulations in the event of long delays or cancellations.

What can you expect from the airport strike on October 2?
French airports are experiencing strike action this Thursday, October 2, 2025. While the Ministry of Transport is reassuring about Paris airports, the DGAC is announcing a 30% reduction in flights at Beauvais, and is urging passengers to check the status of their flights. [Read more]

What's happening in schools and the national education system?

The September 18 strike was particularly well attended in the education sector, and the October 2 strike is expected to be similar in scale. The SNES-FSU voted "almost unanimously for a plan of action" following the success of the September 18 mobilization in collèges and lycées. In Paris and Ile-de-France elementary school, teachers are declaring themselves to be on strike in advance, enabling principals to inform families of partial or total school closures. Depending on the number of teachers on strike, town halls may organize a minimum service.

For secondary schools, the situation is more unpredictable, as teachers are not obliged to declare themselves on strike beforehand. In the education sector, the national council of SNES-FSU, the leading secondary school union, voted "almost unanimously in favor of a plan of action" to follow up on the well-attended strike of September 18 in middle and high schools in the Île-de-France region.

Parents are invited to contact their schools and plan alternative childcare solutions for this day of mobilization in thenational education system.

October 2 strike: a mobilization of the civil service and national education?
The strike of October 2, 2025 is shaping up to be a major mobilization of the civil service and national education in the Île-de-France region. The FSU, CFDT, CGT, FO, CFE-CGC, CFTC, UNSA and Solidaires unions are calling for the movement to be stepped up following the failure of negotiations with the Prime Minister on September 24, 2025. [Read more]

What about hospitals and the health sector?

In the hospital sector, the unions are seeking to extend the strike beyond the sectors already committed to the cause. While the September 18 strike was particularly well attended in the education, research, IT and voluntary sectors, the strike rate was only 7.5% in the local and hospital civil service. However, a minimum service will be maintained in all healthcare establishments to ensure continuity of care and patient safety. The CGT public services federation has issued a notice covering all public hospital workers.

Patients are advised to postpone their non-urgent medical appointments, and to contact their hospital to ensure that their consultation will continue. Emergency and vital services will operate normally thanks to staff requisitions. The challenge on October 2, 2025 will be to broaden the strike beyond the sectors already committed to the cause. The unions are hoping to mobilize the private sector and local and hospital civil servants to put pressure on the government.

How can we organize for this strike day?

There are a number of ways to limit the inconvenience caused by this day of cross-industry mobilization. Telecommuting remains the preferred option when your activity allows it. For essential travel, we recommend carpooling, using the self-service bicycles and scooters available throughout the Paris region, or walking for short trips around Paris. Did you know that carpooling is free via Île-de-France Mobilités?

VTCs also offer an alternative, even if fares can rise by 50% during periods of high demand. The CityMapper or Moovit applications centralize the various transport options available in real time. For childcare, contact your school or crèche now to anticipate closures and organize alternative solutions.

This latest day of disruption is a litmus test for the inter-union group ahead of the presentation of the 2026 Finance Bill, scheduled for October 15 at the latest in the French National Assembly. The scale of the disruption will largely depend on whether employees in the Paris region join this nationwide movement. The CGT, CFDT, FO and other trade unions are counting on a strong turnout to have an impact on the forthcoming negotiations and obtain concrete answers to their demands in the face of the austerity measures announced in the 2026 budget.