Transport chaos bites as French unions launch strike action

People demonstrate in Marseille during a one-day nationwide strike to protest against the government's reform bill on pensions, which is moving closer to become a law Photograph: Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images

A man holds a banner reading : "Sarkozy president, it is 15bn for rich people – and for students ... ?" Photograph: Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images

The deserted Gare du Nord railway station during a general transport strike Photograph: Franck Prevel/Getty Images

Deserted check-in desks at Nice airport. Walkouts reduced the number of flights throughout the country Photograph: Lionel Cironneau/AP

A lone passenger at Nice airport Photograph: Lionel Cironneau/AP

Commuters on a packed train at Auber station in Paris Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

Commuters at the the Gare du Nord metro station. One in three high-speed TGV trains on the rail network were running, while the Paris metro had a limited service Photograph: Franck Prevel/Getty Images

Commuters board a train at Gare du Nord metro station Photograph: Franck Prevel/Getty Images

Commuters cram onto a train at a metro station in Paris Photograph: Jacques Demarthon/AFP/Getty Images

Crowded platforms at Saint Lazare metro station in Paris Photograph: Remy de la Mauviniere/AP