Dave G Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 We are heading back to the UK from Spain on the 19th, driving back through France and were wondering with the French oil refineries cutting back on fuel production and the ongoing strikes has anyone experienced any difficulty in getting fuel in France? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Grumpy Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 We are in The Vendee at the moment and there was a one day strike yesterday, longer queues at the pumps but no apparent shortages. There may be another strike next week but so far we can't get any solid information. Price at supermarket about 1.10 euro per lt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave G Posted October 13, 2010 Author Share Posted October 13, 2010 Mr. Grumpy - 2010-10-13 9:09 AM We are in The Vendee at the moment and there was a one day strike yesterday, longer queues at the pumps but no apparent shortages. There may be another strike next week but so far we can't get any solid information. Price at supermarket about 1.10 euro per lt. Thanks Mr. Grumpy I hope there is still some fuel left when we head back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catinou Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 We had a "flying" visit to central France at the weekend and no problems getting fuel from Calais 396 miles South and back again. Good prices too...... :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 There was a ticker tape message on BBC World News this morning saying that TOTAL have had to close all their 6 French Refineries, due to the strike. Trance has 13 Refineries, including the TOTAL Dunkirk Refinery which was already shutdown & the centre of the dispute). So France will be down to less than half it's refining capacity (TOTAL own the 3 largest French Refineries) http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE6950JO20101006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertandjean Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Drove down from Angouleme to Biarritz yesterday. No problem getting fuel (1.12 Euros/Litre at large supermarket) and no problems spotted at service stations on route. Staying in this area now for a couple of weeks so not worried and can always pop into Spain to fill up before starting journey back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 See BBC web site fuel not looking good Best wishes for anybody in France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 alan - 2010-10-14 5:47 PM See BBC web site fuel not looking good Best wishes for anybody in France It seems BBC News is like their weather. Whenever we look at BBC weather it shows rain etc and yet we look outside and it is glorious sunshine. Today there doesn't seem to be any problems with fuel supply in our area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommydud Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 no problems yet in normandy . best to keep it topped up few brits here panic buying . had same problem last winter mainly in south motorways service stations run out first. no problems in smaller towns etc . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojitoes Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 We are in Italy at the moment and have just seen BBc World News item about the situation. It may be worse in the south of France due to a strike at the Ma**eille refinery. The inference was that there was no immediate problem but if the dispute lasts for more than another couple of weeks then supplies may be affected.We will need to keep an eye on situation or plan a differrent route home I think Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Dave G - 2010-10-13 8:21 AM We are heading back to the UK from Spain on the 19th, driving back through France and were wondering with the French oil refineries cutting back on fuel production and the ongoing strikes has anyone experienced any difficulty in getting fuel in France? Hi Dave Just got back after three weeks in Burgundy and Centre, no problems with fuel at all. Filled up at the Hypermarkets at about €1.13 per litre. It has been quite a few years since we were in the area and we noticed that many car parks in the popular places now have height barriers. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave G Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 Don Madge - 2010-10-14 7:28 PM Hi Dave Just got back after three weeks in Burgundy and Centre, no problems with fuel at all. Filled up at the Hypermarkets at about €1.13 per litre. It has been quite a few years since we were in the area and we noticed that many car parks in the popular places now have height barriers. Don Thanks for that Don, we are not so bothered now and will just fill up as usual on the way back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philjp Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Like Don we have just got backhome after six weeks down on the coast Between Cannes and Toulon.We did not have a no problem filling up, The last fill was at Calais and no problems there.We aslo noticed the Height Barriers on carparks as we travelled along the coastal road.and more as we worked our way north to Annecy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertandjean Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Hi again, Latest news in French newspapers is that unions say fuel supplies will run out in 10 days (10 out of 11 refineries on strike) but government say supplies will last at least 2 months. Think will come to a head before then as another National Strike called for Oct. 19 and many rail workers still on strike from last week, and recent reports suggest police are attempting to break blocade at some refineries. But there are worse places to be stuck than sat outside bar with sea view, under blue sky, in Biarritz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Has anyone got any further updates, I will be travelling through France from Spain to Calais 19-23 Oct. Only worried about fuel, any delay at calais we have the van. Thanks Mike. ""Just got this from the motohome facts site: There are problems in Calais this morning. Here is a copy of the letter given to me at the P&O check in booth. P&O Ferries regret to inform you that due to National Action, our vessels may be subject to delay or cancelled. Please be assured that P&O Ferries will do everything we can to minimise any disruption. So, we checked in although we were not asked for our tickets. Instead, our passports were handed to the check in desk, in addition to the customs desk. We are presently lined up and awaiting developments. The ships that are running do not seem to be operating to a timetable, but seem to be going once they are full. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Grumpy Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 We filled up this morning in Fontenay le Comte for our journey home starting Monday, diesel now up to 1.135e per lt. A French guy on the site has told us that LeClerc was to shut all it's pumps down at noon today but for how long he did not know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Went passed the local forecourt this morning and could see no sign of problems but will check again this pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertandjean Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 French media report situation expected to get worse with tanker drivers expected to join in on Tuesday, so best idea might be to head somewhere nice and sit tight for a few days. As yet no sign of things coming to a halt many cars around town, buses running and aire we are on at Anglet full last night with many vans in and out each day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Sounds like this dispute could get worse before it gets better. Although the French government say there are plenty of stocks in the country, if all the truckers join in, the stocks won't be distributed. Apparently the strikes are all about the govt. plans to increase retirement age from 60 to 62 in France, so it is not a dispute that will be easily settled. There appears to be a lot of support from other sectors in France but maybe that will disappear when they can't fill their cars up ! Best of luck to all of you travelling over there at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magbrin Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I watch with interest. Our grandbaby has now arrived and all being well we hope to set off next weekend crossing (from Calais?) early the following week to drive south to the Basque Country then on down Ebro vally in Spain. If there is still a problem we may take the shortest route through France to Spain - or we may get stuck somewhere in France - but it's a holiday .................. so we will just go with the flow (or not, as the case may be :-( ) BTW any good Aires/ France Passion recommendations would be appreciated - expect to travel down the middle of France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Just had an email from a French Network that we belong to, to say there will be more strikes on Tuesday 19th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojitoes Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 we saw pictures on Italian TV this pm of demos and what looked like riots in Paris, not sure if they were from today or earlier in the week. We are in Pompeii and have, according to trip computer, fuel for 400 miles which will get us ner the border.. I dont know when the snow falls in Switzerland, in case we have to go that way but am also wondering how far into France a full tank of fuel, 500 miles will take us. Will we be able to make Luxembourg from Nice? If not we will have to think about sitting it out in Italy until the situation is resolved. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Both lunchtime & early evening news on BBC & ITY say Charles De Gaulle airport will run out of aviation fuel late Monday / early Tuesday & the pipeline into the airport is already empty. Authorities have been deployed Police to Refineries picket lines to try & get supplies through. But French Government statement says there is sufficient fuel for at least 10 days. (but they would, wouldn't they !!!!! ) From Teletext & internet reports the strike appears to be escalating to other industries & prediction of how long it will last. If going to or already in France I would suggest you keep filling you tank at any opportunity, in the short term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK5 Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Aren't you a luck lot still touring around France. Unfortunately i have got to go to work (the bank manager insists i repay my mortgage) and my daughter has to go to school. Still we are starting to plan next years trip to France and Italy though. :-D :-D :-D :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 According to French press reports the worst hit areas for fuel are the south of France, Normandy and Brittany. Leclerc were closing all petrol stations from midday today and snow is forecast for tomorrow in the Auvergne! The main demonstration was last Tuesday with smaller ones during the rest of the week and the next big one will be on Tuesday. Diesel 1.26 round here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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