Maximilien Carlier, edited by Yanis Darras 2:14 p.m., October 06, 2022

Queues of cars and closed stations.

In Lille, supply difficulties are turning into shortages.

In front of one of the few gas stations in the city that can still distribute fuel, motorists have to wait for long minutes.

Europe 1 went to meet them.

It is a strange phenomenon that has been taking place for a few days in front of French petrol stations.

In front of the pumps, dozens of motorists are waiting to refuel.

And for good reason: 10% of stations are experiencing supply difficulties, recognizes government spokesperson Olivier Véran.

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So, in Toulouse Montpellier or Lille, it's a hassle to find fuel.

"I left an hour early before the start of my work to try to find fuel, but for the moment, it's badly blocked. I don't know how I'm going to do it", recognizes this motorist from Lille.

In front of this station in the Nord prefecture, the municipal police are trying to smooth the traffic. 

Refueling in Belgium

Because many of them want to put a few liters of the precious liquid in their car.

"It's a hassle for everyone. Since yesterday evening, Wednesday, I've been driving around Lille to find diesel. I did 13 yesterday without success", alarms a VTC driver at the microphone of Europe 1. " And there, it is already the fifth station that I have visited since this morning”, he adds. 

Everywhere in the Lille metropolis, the broom of cars in front of gas stations continues, because most are closed.

And for motorists who wanted to take the metro this morning instead of their car, a breakdown on part of line 1 of the network will have got the better of their motivation.

Last solution for Lille residents: go and refuel in Belgium.

But it will then be necessary to agree to pay the liter of diesel 30 cents more expensive than in France.