You should also add that in France 99% of the protests, marches, blockages and strikes are announced well in advance so that everyone can plan around them. I knew weeks in advance that Air France was planning a strike while I was in Carcassonne...When I was in Paris I knew days in advance that the cabs were going to do a blockade of the roads leading to and from CDG

As far as I know that did not happen in ST. Martin and this makes a BIG difference