Fuel strikes in France

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ColinM
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Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #1
I am hopefully heading off to Spain on Thursday , travelling down the West coast of France. My first trip abroad in the motor home , so I'm a bit wary of such a long trip first time . Just my luck to read that the fuel depots are being blockaded by lorry drivers striking because of proposed labour reforms. Is anyone currently travelling in France experiencing problems getting fuel, or are the newspapers overreacting to the strikes? :(
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Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #2
Colin. Cherbourg to San Sebastian is 950km what will your Motorhome do on a full tank of fuel
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #3
I haven't been following theses strikes, but in only french style, strikes are usually full on and disruptive.
You best plan is fill up before getting the ferry and take a chance because you should get between 6-8 hours down the road. However after you hit half empty keep your eyes open for a refill.
Being honest, throwing a 5 gallon drum of diesel into the back of the MH is not really practical.
Have a safe journey,
Malcolm.
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #4
Thanks Sprinter and Thorn123 for replying.

I'm not sure of the range on a full tank, I haven't driven it far enough yet to find out. It's a 2009 2.2l 100bhp Peugeot Boxer. My feeling is it would have a range of 400 to 500 miles, not enough to get through France. I wouldn't chance carrying fuel inside the MH. I have had experience of the French panic buying , causing shortages last year, refineries were blockaded , fuel was brought in from Belgium, Italy and Spain but it didn't reach the North West. I may have to drive half way down and watch for local supplies. I wondered if anyone was already there, how widespread is the action.
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Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #5
Have a look at this article from The Connexion French news in English, they have an Essence APP which is giving where fuel stations are affected . it may be of some help.
https://www.connexionfrance.co…called-off
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #6
A bit of panic buying yesterday but all fine today it's mainly in Northern France, it's very sporadic at the moment not an all out stoppage I expect to get a full tank tomorrow no problem in Nantes area where there were demonstrations 2 week's ago on same issues so no worries at the moment
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #7
The French don't half make a nuisance of themselves when they feel like it, for me it would be a few jerrycans of Derv in the Garage and straight through to Spain.
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #8
The guy who invented the diesel engine said it could run on anything, even coal dust, so don't fret - go to your local chip shop and ask them for a drum of their best fat :)
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #9
French don't do chip shops only olive oil and popoy won't be pleased if you annoy her
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #10
The last big strike a year or two back I was wondering I’d I would get any fuel and it ended up a worry for nothing, there was fuel at all the motorway stations as well as the supermarkets, the smaller stations may not have had a lot but the main ones were fine
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 26.09.2017  ·  #11
Thanks for all the info, I'll fill up in Rosslare, that should get me well down , hopefully all there will be availability, one stop , then Spain. 8-)
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 27.09.2017  ·  #12
Colin, I'm just back from France on Monday. I had no problem getting diesel although a few filling stations had none. When you get half empty just fill up at a station that has fuel. I think personallyntheres a lot of panic about nothing. Human nature always sees to panic in such circumstances.
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 27.09.2017  ·  #13
Cheers Jack, looks like its not as bad as its being reported. :up:
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 27.09.2017  ·  #14
Colin as I said I'm in France now and no problems so enjoy your trip
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 27.09.2017  ·  #15
Well, at a Super U today near Poitiers it was restricted to 20 euros worth of fuel per customer.
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 27.09.2017  ·  #16
Moving in the morning will let you know how we get on but don't expect a problem
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 27.09.2017  ·  #17
Seems like trucker actions are fading away. More and more fuel stations get provided again. However new actions are announced, starting october 10th. So for those of you planning a trip to France, follow the news at http://mon-essence.fr/blog/2017/09/25/penurie-carburant/
For those who don't understand the french text on top, below the text is a map with fuel stations being out of stock (250 at the moment, 66 having nothing at all, the rest out of stock of one or more sorts of fuel).
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 28.09.2017  ·  #18
Just home yesterday from Cherbourg could only get 30 lets at one 20 at another to get me to the boat two I tried on my way up had none Edd
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 28.09.2017  ·  #19
Filled up today in Normoutier no problem at all
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 29.09.2017  ·  #20
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 29.09.2017  ·  #21
We’re due to sail mid October, will be watching this thread with interest.
Thanks everyone for the updates.
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 29.09.2017  ·  #22
Just arrived this afternoon in Cherbourg, have driven down to Pontorson for the night, passed a few stations on the main roads that had cars getting fuel , will try in the morning in the village. Hopefully it looks OK at the minute.
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 01.10.2017  ·  #23
No problems getting diesel, some pumps weren't working, but there has been little evidence of the strike. Looks like it's all over. In Pamplona now, only problem is the sun isn't . Hopefully it will make an appearance in Valencia tomorrow :up:
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 01.10.2017  ·  #24
Filled up at Intermarche in Ste Maure-de-Touraine this morning. No signs of any shortages
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 01.10.2017  ·  #25
no problems in filling, there were a few stations in the north ran out last week but due to panic buying. Anyone we have spoke to has had no problems
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 02.10.2017  ·  #26
We are in Pontorson now Colin I'll swop places with you , warm but very dull here 😁
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 02.10.2017  ·  #27
Dave, hope you enjoy Pontorson. Just arrived here after a long journey, and the copilot Satnav put us up a farm track, won't use her again, back to good old TomTom. :shock:
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 06.10.2017  ·  #28
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Re: Fuel strikes in France

 ·  Posted: 06.10.2017  ·  #29
Unfortunately we are back so,it will be another year.
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