Halloween protests across France draw an estimated 320,000 as tear gas flares

Summary

On Saturday, October 31, 2026, Halloween, France faced another nationwide day of protests as the Yellow Vest movement returned under the rallying cry 'Act III – Halloween', joined by student demonstrators angry over the cost of living and conditions in schools. Authorities deployed about 70,000 security personnel, matching the number mobilised a week earlier, to avert a repeat of the October 17 unrest, when riots and looting broke out. France's highest administrative court upheld a ban on the planned Paris march route, keeping protesters on the eastern outskirts of the capital, and curfews were imposed in some areas. The interior minister warned that covering your face at a demonstration remains illegal. France 24's live coverage reported that the interior ministry estimated some 320,000 people protested across France as unrest flared. The cash-strapped government faces mounting grievances, a rolling protest movement and crippling debt, with little room for manoeuvre ahead of elections.

Timeline

1. France 24

   31 Oct 2026, 00:30 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that the Yellow Vests return to the streets under the rallying cry 'Act III – Halloween', with 70,000 police and security forces deployed after recent riots and looting, as a cash-strapped government faces mounting grievances and little room for manoeuvre ahead of elections.

2. The Hindu

   31 Oct 2026, 05:30 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that around 70,000 security personnel will be deployed on Saturday, October 31, 2026, matching the number mobilised a week earlier, as authorities seek to avert a repeat of the October 17 unrest.

3. France 24

   31 Oct 2026, 09:28 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that France's highest administrative court upheld a ban on the planned Paris march route, forcing protesters to remain on the eastern outskirts of the capital, that curfews were imposed in some areas, and that the interior minister warned covering your face at a demonstration remains illegal.

4. France 24

   31 Oct 2026, 16:45 UTCSource ↗

   France 24's live coverage reports that the interior ministry says some 320,000 people protested across France as unrest flares.