More than 400,000 people took to the streets across France on Saturday, October 24, 2026, to protest rising living costs, inadequate school funding and economic inequality, increasing pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government. The demonstrations ended in clashes between police and protesters in Paris, where authorities deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds.
France’s Interior Ministry estimated that approximately 410,000 people participated in demonstrations nationwide, including about 110,000 in Paris. However, the CGT trade union put the total turnout at nearly 800,000, highlighting a significant difference between official figures and organizers’ estimates.
Clashes Erupt During Paris Demonstration
The demonstration in Paris began peacefully but deteriorated near its endpoint at Porte de Vincennes. Some protesters threw projectiles and fireworks at police officers, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.
Authorities had restricted the march to the southeastern part of the capital to keep demonstrators away from central areas affected by violence and looting during protests the previous weekend.
The Paris prosecutor’s office reported 64 arrests linked to Saturday’s demonstration, with 40 people placed in police custody. Authorities said many of the arrests involved suspected weapons offenses or participation in groups allegedly preparing violence or property damage.
Police also used tear gas in several other cities, including Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand and Strasbourg, while water cannons were deployed in Nice and Nantes.
School Funding and Living Costs Fuel Anger
The protests began last month after students raised concerns about staff shortages at a high school southeast of Paris. The movement has since expanded nationwide, attracting students, teachers, trade unions, workers and families demanding improvements to public services.
Demonstrators are calling for more teachers, better-maintained schools, additional university places and increased financial assistance for students.
Student organizations have also proposed raising student grants by €200 per month and freezing rents in public student housing. Workers participating in the demonstrations have raised concerns about wages, pensions, unemployment and the rising cost of essential goods and services.
France’s Education Ministry reported that public middle and high schools lost 15.4 million teaching hours during the 2024–2025 school year because absent teachers were not replaced. This represented approximately 7.5% of scheduled teaching time.
Rising Prices Intensify Economic Concerns
The demonstrations also reflect growing frustration over inflation and household expenses. According to France’s national statistics agency, INSEE, energy prices rose by 21.3% in September compared with the same month a year earlier, contributing to an overall inflation rate of 3.1%.
Many protesters argue that rising expenses and limited employment opportunities are making it increasingly difficult for ordinary households to maintain their living standards.
The movement has consequently developed beyond education concerns into a broader expression of dissatisfaction with economic inequality and public services.
Macron Faces Growing Political Pressure
The unrest presents another challenge for Macron as France approaches its next presidential election in 2027. Opposition politicians have criticized the government’s handling of public safety and economic concerns, while demonstrators continue demanding concrete commitments on education and living costs.
Authorities deployed as many as 70,000 police officers and other security personnel nationwide to prevent a repeat of the previous weekend’s widespread looting and property damage.
Despite the security measures, the latest demonstrations show that concerns about public services, affordability and inequality remain unresolved.
Organizers of the protest movement have called for further demonstrations, including rallies planned for October 31, as pressure mounts on the French government to respond to protesters’ demands.
Swifteradio.com
