Fuel refinery strikes .... and more

[Bayleaf]

This seems to be hitting further North at the moment. Haven't needed fuel for a couple of weeks, so don't know the situation locally.

Anyone having trouble at the pumps? I've seen and read several Fuel Stations have been commandeered by the Govt. so they can regulate who has how much - ie, most important workers first, no jerry cans, only 30euro of fuel etc. One chap in a queue, that the Gendarmes were questioning, had a 3/4 full tank - he was promptly asked to leave the queue and go home!

I see there are other strikes planned for Tuesday, 18th March - SNCF, transport routier, education.

[Quiksilver]

That's what you call forward planning!

[niemeyjt]

In Vosges last week when I filled up there were signs on the pumps about Prefecture banning filling Jerry cans etc. Otherwise it was fine - short queues.

[MAD87]

I topped up on Thursday for the third or fourth time this year. No problems in our département.
Monsieur Martinez is determined to rule and ruin France Inc. asap. Since losing the No. 1 Union title to the CFDT, the CGT has become more radical to try to gain attention - hence all the different strikes.

[Lori]

It's hit or miss around here. Lots of stations without one type of fuel or another - or totally empty. The apps try to keep up with the situation, but I have found they are not always accurate.

[Blaze]

No problem here in north east Brittany but we've made sure the cars are topped up as we have several trips to Rennes coming up (OH has a knee op booked for November), plus work and first aid duties. Diesel is nearly 20 cents more than petrol but fortunately we use petrol/eco fuel.

[DominicBest]

It was interesting to read that the shortages in the north were caused by two things, the strike at a refinery and fuel tourism. Cheaper fuel in France was causing a lot of Belgians to buy over the border. I’ve since heard that there have been similar stories near the border with Germany.

[tagh]

Topped up yesterday at a supermarket in the Pas de Calais, no restrictions and all pumps working. No more cars than one would expect for a Friday morning.

Yes, Martinez is up to his old tricks and a weakened President and chaotic parliament has given him his chance to try and reestablish his CGT union as top dog. The other unions seem to have settled.

He has been trying to get, particularly, the workers at the atomic power stations out too and has managed to slow the return of three back into production.

[exile]

Nothing new about fuel tourism. When I was regularly driving from Cologne down to the Ardeche, a fuel stop in either direction was always made in Luxembourg - and that was over 10 years ago. Doesn't time fly.

[niemeyjt]

It was interesting to read that the shortages in the north were caused by two things, the strike at a refinery and fuel tourism. Cheaper fuel in France was causing a lot of Belgians to buy over the border. I’ve since heard that there have been similar stories near the border with Germany.

And Switzerland as well. Here we pay CHF2.22 for diesel - so €2.27 vs €1.88 I paid in the Vosges last week. The difference is more than Macron's 30c reduction.

I have two 10L fuel canisters as well. And I use them on visits to the UK. LeClerc at Reims is very close to the motorway and a fill there will get me to the UK and back.

And as Andy says, from Basel it was a cheap fill in Luxemburg - as well as peage-free German Autobahns. Sadly from here it is too much of a diversion.