French trains strike

[long trails]

Finding information is not easy as to whether trains are running today to SJPdP from Bayonne. According to Google maps info they are not running due to strike action but the BBC suggests otherwise (see below).

Guess I will find out soon enough.

 

[mspath]

The calendar of potential strike days posted above shows what DATE strikes may occur but WHERE they will occur ie on which lines is not posted until the day before at 17:00 ; all lines will not be striking each day. Be sure to check on www. Oui.sncf for that info.

 

[PloddingAlong]

Finding information is not easy as to whether trains are running today to SJPdP from Bayonne. According to Google maps info they are not running due to strike action but the BBC suggests otherwise (see below).

Guess I will find out soon enough.

View attachment 40888

My first encounter with the annual French rail strikes occurred just prior to my first camino in 2012. I was quite nervous and apprehensive about the whole thing to begin with. I had my pre-purchased a TGV ticket from Bordeaux to Bayonne, and another rail ticket from there to SJPP, and arrived at the Bordeaux station early that morning to claim my seat and begin my journey. But could not find any mention of which platform to board my train on the big information board, and no one to ask. As the time for departure crept closer, I got more and more panicky about what to do. The ticket and information line snaked on forever, so I apologized with my best broken French and butted into the front of the line to the loud jeers and reprimands of all behind me! The clerk abruptly and dismissively informed me that there was no train. No train? I have a ticket, I pleaded! 'Pas de train ce matin', she confirmed, and tried to wave me away. But why? I protested in my bewilderment. 'Why?' She countered. "Because it is Tuesday!' I'm not sure I really understood that explanation, but it was my first step in taking what comes in stride.

 

[RevBarbaraG]

They were on strike the day I travelled. There was a replacement bus, just took a little longer as we had to go to the intermediate stops for nobody to get on or off.

 

[LakeMcD]

Having never tried BlaBlaCar, is it possible to arrange a lift from Paris to LePuy months in advance?

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Having never tried BlaBlaCar, is it possible to arrange a lift from Paris to LePuy months in advance?

You can check there website.

Wish you well , Peter .

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Having never tried BlaBlaCar, is it possible to arrange a lift from Paris to LePuy months in advance?

I'm heading to Le Puy from CDG end of May. I have my train ticket for a non-strike day, but I did try to check the Blablacar website and it didn't offer anything for two months in advance and for such a long (9 hr trip).

 

[LakeMcD]

Yes, should probably rethink this as 9 hours is a long time to be in a car with someone.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Yes, should probably rethink this as 9 hours is a long time to be in a car with someone.

It's about 550km. , it will be a 7hr. drive .
You also can rent a car , it cost more but you are alone .

 

[long trails]

So trains were running on the 5th but the service to St Jean was on a bus.

The bus was packed with pilgrims. It was the 2.45pm service.

Finding a bed in St Jean was not as easy as I expected.

I have seen more rain these last two days than the whole 33 days of my first CF! It's very cold too.