A protester holds up a sign that reads"Retirement before arthritis" against Macron's controversial move to raise the minimum retirement age to 64 from 62.
With unions warning that more stoppages are to come, the strikes represent a major test for Macron as he seeks to implement a showcase policy of his second term in office. Most Paris metro and suburban rail services will be severely restricted on Tuesday, said operator RATP, while intercity travel will be disrupted with just one in three high-speed TGV trains running, according to SNCF.
Macron's centrist allies, short of an absolute majority in parliament, will need votes from conservatives to get the pensions plan approved. Opponents point out that the system is currently balanced, noting that the head of the independent Pensions Advisory Council recently told parliament that "pension spending is not out of control, it's relatively contained".