France is bracing for what could become one of the most disruptive protest movements in years. A nationwide general strike, scheduled for 10 September 2025, threatens to paralyse the country’s transport network and affect millions of travellers. Rail services, domestic flights, ferries and even cross-border connections could all be hit, while airports across Europe are likely to feel the impact of additional industrial action later in the month.
🇫🇷 Many across #France are gearing up to participate in the "Block Everything" protests, set to take place on September 10 to challenge Prime Minister François #Bayrou's austerity budget plans – like the residents of #Figeac, located in the #Occitanie region. pic.twitter.com/HSuonkk3GV
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) September 1, 2025
A grassroots call to ‘block everything’
The protests are being organised under the slogan “Bloquons tout” – “let’s block everything”. Initially launched on social media by the citizens’ collective Indignons Nous, the campaign has spread rapidly across platforms such as X, TikTok, Telegram and Facebook. The movement calls for a day of disobedience, boycott and solidarity against Prime Minister François Bayrou’s controversial austerity plan.
The 2026 financial package includes proposals to scrap two public holidays, freeze pensions and cut €5 billion in health spending, while aiming to slash €43.8 billion from the national budget. These measures, combined with the government’s fragile political position, have triggered widespread anger. A vote of confidence on 8 September is widely expected to bring down Bayrou’s government. Yet analysts say that even if the government falls, the demonstrations will still proceed, emboldened by the political crisis.
📢 Lettre ouverte à François Bayrou.
— Indignons Nous ! – 10 septembre 2025 (@IndignonsN) August 30, 2025
🎥 Regardez, partagez, faites entendre nos voix.
📅 Rendez-vous le 8 septembre à 20h pour le pot de départ.
🔥 On ne lâche rien, le #10septembre2025 arrive très bientôt… pic.twitter.com/1EdIsX3TAb
Rail chaos expected
The Sud-Rail union, one of the three largest in France, has pledged to join the movement with a “massive strike”. Despite its name, Sud-Rail operates nationwide, and its members’ walkout could lead to thousands of cancellations across the SNCF network. Past protests of this kind have also involved road blockades, disruption at ferry ports and even interruptions to fuel supplies.
While Eurostar services between London, Paris and Lille currently report no expected disruption, the scale of the strike means that knock-on effects cannot be ruled out. Travellers are being advised to prepare for sudden cancellations and limited availability of alternative routes.
Le #10septembre 2025, la France s’arrête.
— Bloquons Tout ! – 10 Septembre 2025 (@bloquonstout) August 24, 2025
Pas de compromis, pas de retour en arrière.
Ce qui arrive n’est pas une simple mobilisation :
💥 Grèves. Blocages. Débrayages. Résistance.
⚠️ Ils nous ont ignorés. Ils vont nous entendre. pic.twitter.com/YzJkUTg2hW
Wider discontent beyond unions
Unlike traditional strike actions, “Block everything” is not centrally controlled by unions or political parties, although both left-wing movements and the hard-left CGT union have voiced support. Calls to boycott large retailers, withdraw cash from banks, and occupy symbolic public buildings reflect the campaign’s attempt to broaden beyond workplace action.
Experts note echoes of the Yellow Vest protests of 2018, which also emerged spontaneously online and expanded into a nationwide movement challenging political elites. Some analysts have raised concerns over possible foreign influence, pointing to signs of astroturfing and bot activity designed to amplify divisions. But the backing of mainstream figures such as Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed, has ensured the strike is no longer a fringe idea.
@tf1info 💬 Jean-Luc Mélenchon appelle à "tout" bloquer le 10 septembre "pour faire partir" Emmanuel Macron. #melenchon #macron #10septembre ♬ son original – TF1 INFO
Air travel disruption to follow
The 10 September strike is not the only challenge facing passengers this month. As previously reported by Travel Tomorrow, France’s largest air traffic controllers’ organisation has confirmed a separate 48-hour walkout from 18 to 19 September.
The strike, which begins at the start of the morning shift on 18 September and ends at the close of the night shift on 19 September, is expected to ground thousands of flights across Europe. Even aircraft not bound for France but scheduled to cross French airspace will be affected, leading to widespread cancellations and delays on routes between the UK, Spain, Italy and beyond.
Travellers whose flights are cancelled are entitled under EU passenger rights legislation to be rebooked on the earliest available service, even with another airline, and to receive hotel accommodation and meals if stranded overnight. However, large-scale disruption means re-routing could take days in some cases.
Due to the air traffic controller strike in France, #Vueling cares little about passengers and sends them to a big caos one queue in check-ins 800 at Barcelona Airport "We are working to minimize the impact," …are you jocking? Use speakers!!Organize!! Offer solutions!!Explain!! pic.twitter.com/P7K8pn0vyz
— Francesc Mas (@francescmas) July 3, 2025
Political stakes and public frustration
The September strikes highlight a volatile political climate in France. Surveys suggest that while austerity triggered the protests, grievances are far broader, encompassing frustrations over the cost-of-living crisis, perceived democratic deficits and a sense of being “left behind”.
Historian Andrew W M Smith argues that if Bayrou’s government collapses, the protests will only grow stronger: “On 10 September, people will feel that the streets are where politics needs to be done.”
Paul Smith of the University of Nottingham notes that while most unions have refrained from formally joining the strike, the lack of structure may make the movement “much less controlled, and much less organised. That makes stopping it really quite difficult.”
📢 Lettre ouverte à nos pairs syndiqués
— Indignons Nous ! – 10 septembre 2025 (@IndignonsN) September 5, 2025
Le 10 septembre, nous serons là, quoi qu’il en coûte, pour un avenir meilleur.
L’espoir fait vivre, certes… mais c’est l’action qui change les choses.
📢 RELAYEZ, PARTAGEZ — VOUS AUSSI, DEVENEZ ACTEUR.
✊ #IndignonsNous #10Septembre pic.twitter.com/kDeVmYgqsG
What travellers need to know
- 10 September: Nationwide general strike, with expected disruption to rail, ferries, fuel distribution and potentially local transport.
- 18–19 September: Air traffic controllers’ strike likely to affect thousands of flights in France and across Europe.
- Contingency planning: Passengers should check with airlines and rail operators frequently, allow extra time for connections, and be prepared for last-minute changes.
As France faces simultaneous political turmoil and social unrest, September could prove to be a particularly difficult month for anyone travelling in, out or across the country.
