Hundreds of thousands of people in France have suffered travel disruption over the Christmas period as a result of massive strikes in the country, the head of France's national rail operator has revealed.

Speaking to Le Monde newspaper on Christmas Eve, Jean-Pierre Farandou said SNCF had lost around €400m (£341m) in revenue due to the nationwide action against proposed pension reforms.

The strikes, which began on 5 December, have affected hospitals, schools and even tourist attractions, but recent frustrations have focussed on the lack of SNCF services to help people get home for Christmas.

Mr Farandou said the rail operator was only able to honour the reservations of 60 per cent of its customers over the weekend, forcing around half a million passengers to find alternative routes or cancel plans altogether.

Up to 40 per cent of TGV and TER trains were cancelled across the country on Christmas Eve, SNCF annonced on Tuesday.

France strikes bring country to a standstill Show all 6 1 /6 France strikes bring country to a standstill France strikes bring country to a standstill Stations closed Metro stations in Paris closed amid nationwide strikes Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Transport paralysed Rail operator SNCF cancelled 90 per cent of all high-speed trains across France Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Nationwide protests People protest against the pension overhauls, in Perpignan, southern France, on 5 December, 2019 as part of a national general strike AFP/Getty France strikes bring country to a standstill Public services walkout Firefighters in Marseille lay on the ground as they take part in a demonstration to protest against the pension overhauls Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Protesters take to streets A man wearing a clown mask and waving a smoke bomb takes part in a demonstration protesting against pension overhauls Getty Images France strikes bring country to a standstill Getty

Trade unions rejected a plea by president Emmanuel Macron, who called for a pause to the industrial action over the Christmas period.

"Strike action is justifiable and protected by the constitution, but I think there are moments in a nation's life when it is good to observe a truce out of respect for families and family life," Mr Macron said during a press conference over the weekend.

Unions said the strikes would continue until talks with the government begin again in January, with further mass protests planned for 9 January.

An unexpected protest took place on Monday at Gare de Lyon in Paris, where riot police clashed with protestors at the underground ticket barriers for the Metro.

Ballet dancers and orchestra members at the famed Paris Opera also joined the action on Tuesday, performing part of Swan Lake in the street in front of the historic landmark.

Despite the disruption, public support for the strikes remains strong, with a recent poll revealing 62 per cent of people are still in favour of the action against Macron's flagship reforms.