'Postpone your journey!' Britons issued urgent France travel warning as chaos ensues after 'massive attack'
Britons have been given a fresh travel warning
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Many Britons will be heading to France in the coming days for Paris 2024 - or simply for a holiday. However, travellers have been warned that disruption to the rail network could throw their plans into disarray.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) told holidaymakers: "There are reports of disruption across main line train services affecting Eurostar services and domestic high speed trains in several parts of France.
"French railways state that services could be disrupted until Monday, July 29 and are advising travellers to postpone travel if possible."
Britons were encouraged: "Check with your travel operator, or railway operator’s website, including Eurostar and SNCF Voyageurs."
Travel chaos has ensued following 'several simultaneous malicious acts'
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The Eurostar said: "Due to co-ordinated 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, July 26.
"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. Customers can cancel free of charge or be refunded. Customers can modify their journey free of charge."
A statement from SNCF Voyageurs read: "A massive attack paralyses high-speed lines. Last night, SNCF was the victim of several simultaneous malicious acts affecting the Atlantique, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines.
"Deliberate fires were set to damage our facilities. Teams are already on site to diagnose the damage and begin repairs.
"TGV traffic on the Atlantique, Northern and Eastern lines is severely disrupted. We are diverting some trains to conventional lines but will have to cancel a large number of them.
"Our volunteers have been called to stations in order to inform passengers. This situation should last at least all weekend while repairs are being carried out.
"We ask all passengers to postpone their journeys and not to go to railway stations. All tickets are exchangeable and refundable. Customers will be informed by SMS when their train is running."
Some 800,000 passengers have been affected by the travel chaos.
The FCDO has comprehensive guidance for all Britons heading to France for Paris 2024. Britons were told: "The 2024 Olympic Games will take place between July 26 and August 11 and the 2024 Paralympic Games between August 28 and September 8 in France.
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Services have been heavily disrupted ahead of the Olympics
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"If you are travelling to attend, read our full France travel advice and sign up to get email updates, visit the official Paris 2024 and Paris Tourist Board websites for the latest Olympic and Paralympic Games information while you are in France and keep your personal belongings and valuables safe - if your passport is lost or stolen, see Getting Help."
Holidaymakers visiting France for the Games are advised to consult the FCDO's guidance on visas and entry requirements, travel insurance, health insurance, safety at the Olympics and Paralympics, Olympics and Paralympic tickets, entry to venues and transport to the event.
In other European travel news, Britons in Portugal must follow new guidance or risk being refused entry.
Holidaymakers in Croatia have also been told to expect "disruptions and delays".
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