Arson attacks on multiple French train lines have thrown people’s trips to the Paris Olympics into doubt.
France’s rail operator SNCF confirmed that “several simultaneous malicious acts” overnight mean that trains to Paris from Bordeaux, Lille, and Strasbourg will likely be severely disrupted for the whole weekend.
Eurostar is also having to redivert its services, urging people not to travel – and warning many journeys have been cancelled – or will take an extra hour-and-a-half.
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It may mean those booked to attend the Olympic opening ceremony in Paris on Friday or events over the weekend are unable to travel.
Here we look at what your rights are.
Can I get a refund for my Olympics tickets?
Paris 2024 has not issued any guidance on this specific event.
Some ticketholders may have taken out cancellation insurance with Olympics partner Allianz.
Otherwise the website states: “In accordance with ticketing terms and conditions of sale, tickets for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are neither exchangeable nor refundable. All orders are therefore firm and final.”
If events are cancelled, ticket holders automatically get a refund, and if they are postponed, spectators are invited to attend the alternative date.
But if this weekend’s disruption constitutes a “force majeure”, which the Games defines as an “event beyond the control of the affected party that could not have reasonably been foreseen… liability of Paris 2024 may not be invoked”, according to the official website.
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Although a decision has not been made, the website adds: “Any decisions of governmental, administrative or judicial authorities, national or international, associated with the COVID-19 pandemic or any other pandemic or epidemic will be deemed, without limitation, to constitute an event of Force Majeure.”
Rory Boland, travel editor at Which?, says: “If you have tickets to watch the Games and end up missing an event due to the transport issues, it may be possible to claim against your insurance – either against ticket protection insurance if you took this out at the point of purchase, or your travel insurance, depending on the specifics of your policy.”
Is the Eurostar running?
Yes, but one in four trains on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are cancelled – with the rest suffering delays of at least an hour-and-a-half.
Eurostar has also urged customers to “postpone their trip if possible”, stressing that “customers can cancel free of charge or be refunded”.
Those impacted have the following options:
• Change booking to a different date and time free of charge
• Cancel booking for an e-voucher redeemable on any train within the next 12 months
• Get a full refund for free
Eurostar’s statement reads: “Due to coordinated acts of vandalism in France, affecting the high-speed line between Paris and Lille, all high-speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday 26 July.
“This extends the journey time by around an hour and a half. Several trains have been cancelled.
“Eurostar’s teams are fully mobilised in stations, in the call centres, and onboard to assist and ensure our passengers are fully informed. Customers are being informed via email, SMS and on Eurostar.com.”
What about Le Shuttle?
It’s much better news for those booked on Le Shuttle.
The drive-on train uses a different under-the-Channel line to the Eurostar – between Folkestone in Kent and Calais in northern France.
On Friday morning, it tweeted: “Good morning from Sunny Folkestone. All our departures are on time and check-in is moving smoothly.
“For anyone travelling with us we look forward to welcoming you on board & hope you enjoy your journey with us.”
Le Shuttle tickets cover up to nine people travelling in one vehicle, with journeys lasting 35 minutes.
Could I fly instead?
There are no spaces on flights left for Friday between any UK airports and Paris Charles de Gaulle or Orly.
There are several routes operating over the weekend. In England people can travel from London Luton, Gatwick, or Southend, Birmingham, or Manchester, among other destinations. There are also flights from Edinburgh and Belfast.
Operators include easyJet, British Airways, Vueling, Air France, and Iberia.
Travelling by train around France
If you are travelling to Paris from elsewhere in France – or crossing the country as part of your summer holiday, you could face disruption.
The good news is SNCF is refunding all cancelled trains – and allowing all journeys to be rebooked.
Trains between Paris and Lille, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg are “severely disrupted”, SNCF says.
Trains between Paris and Lyon, the Alps, and Provence are operating as normal, it added.
The SNCF statement says: “We are diverting some trains to conventional lines, but will have to cancel a large number of them.
“Right now, high-speed trains toward north and East run with up to 1hour30 to 2 hours delays. Some trains and cancelled.”
“The situation is expected to last at least during the whole weekend while the network will be repaired,” it added.
“The company encourages travellers to postpone their trips. All tickets will be exchangeable and refundable.”
Hotels and AirBnBs
All accommodation providers have their own cancellation policies – so the first thing to do is check their terms and conditions.
AirBnB is an official sponsor of Paris 2024 – but has not issued a statement specifically on the disruption yet.
Individual hosts will have chosen their preferred cancellation policy:
• Flexible – you can cancel up to 24 hours before the booking and get a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before you only have to pay for the first night
• Moderate – you can cancel up to five days in advance for a full refund
• Firm – you have to cancel 30 days before check-in
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Air BnB’s “major disruptive events policy” says it does not cover “events that impact a guest or their ability to travel, but not the reservation location” or “transportation disruptions unrelated to a covered event, such as airline insolvency, transportation strikes, and road closures to do maintenance”.
If you booked your accommodation as part of a package, you are covered for cancellations by the tour operator.
You may also be protected through your travel insurance – or credit card provider if you booked with one.
