Strikes and Protests

Some of the first things you probably thought about when you were considering life in France are the strikes and protests. And while it is true that the French are more politically active than most other countries, this should in no way be a dealbreaker when deciding if you should study here or not. Despite being a common occurrence, protests are not typically disruptive. On the other hand, strikes can be quite disruptive; however, they are rare.

In my few months here in Rennes, there have been several protests. There are of course minor ones all the time, but there is a major protest about every week or two. These usually take place in downtown Rennes, along a pre-planned route. Though I have not attended any in person, I know that they are, for the most part, peaceful demonstrations. It is likely that public transit that goes through downtown will be disrupted, but the bus and metro lines are so developed that it is usually easy to find a way around the protest. Moreover, in my experience, most protests are during the weekend, when many shops are already closed.

Strikes are quite the opposite. I have had the good fortune that there has not been a major strike during my time here in France, but my host mother has assured me that they do happen! Thankfully, widespread strikes are not at all common, and when they do happen, they are pre-planned and short (typically only a day). So while strikes could possibly have a much bigger effect than protests, the chance that one takes place is slim. In fact, the type of strike that I have heard the most about is student strikes. These are not normally as impactful to your everyday business (compared to an air traffic control strike, for example), so while you will likely notice them, they will not affect your ability to go about your day.

With both strikes and protests, there is the potential to be disruptive. But with some careful planning, you should be able to live your life as usual if one of these does happen. It is also important to keep in mind that, as I’ve said, there is always plenty of warning before both of these types of events. In case of a protest, the screens on the bus will be broadcasting information about when it will take place and how your route might be affected. In the case of a strike, you should keep an eye on the news to always be prepared, so that your stay can be as beneficial to you as possible! (And in my experience, this is good advice in general! Being aware of goings-on around you tends to have a much more positive impact than a negative one.)

In conclusion, the thought of strikes and near-constant protests can seem scary if you are not used to it back at home. But in reality, they are simply a fact of life to the people here, and certainly are nothing to be afraid of. Most of the time, they are very easy to avoid, and if you don’t pay attention, you will probably not even know that they are happening. You might even find it comforting, as I know I do, that people are willing to gather together in an effort to make their collective lives better. I hope this has convinced you that strikes and protests are an interesting part of French culture instead of a major inconvenience, and I wish you good luck in your study abroad experience!

Bennett DOEBLER

Carthage College

CIEE-Rennes Liberal Arts Spring 2026