Clashes break out as hundreds of thousands protest across France

Summary

Clashes broke out as hundreds of thousands of people protested across France over living costs and police violence. Authorities said about 320,000 people rallied nationwide, including 70,000 in Paris, and the protests turned tense in Paris, Lyon and Toulouse. Ahead of the demonstrations, some shopkeepers barricaded their businesses. The Japan Times reports that police fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse rioters on the sidelines of the demonstrations, and that more than 500 people were arrested.

Timeline

1. NDTV

   31 Oct 2026, 18:16 UTCSource ↗

   NDTV reports that clashes broke out as hundreds of thousands of people protested in France, and that some shopkeepers barricaded their businesses ahead of the protests.

2. Channel NewsAsia

   31 Oct 2026, 20:18 UTCSource ↗

   Channel NewsAsia reports that about 320,000 people rallied across France, according to authorities, including 70,000 in Paris.

3. Channel NewsAsia

   31 Oct 2026, 20:18 UTCSource ↗

   Channel NewsAsia reports that about 320,000 people rallied across France, according to authorities, as protests over living costs and police violence turned tense in Paris, Lyon and Toulouse.

4. The Japan Times

   31 Oct 2026, 23:18 UTCSource ↗

   The Japan Times reports that more than 500 people were arrested as police fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse rioters on the sidelines of the demonstrations.