Hundreds of thousands protest across France for a third weekend as police and demonstrators clash in Paris and other cities

Summary

Hundreds of thousands of people joined a third consecutive weekend of protests across France on Saturday over the cost of living and deteriorating public services. France's interior ministry estimated about 320,000 people demonstrated nationwide, fewer than on the previous two Saturdays, and police said about 70,000 people demonstrated in Paris alone. The rallies were largely peaceful, with some participants in Halloween costumes, but police and protesters clashed in Paris, Marseille and other cities, and police fired tear gas to disperse crowds in some places. Demonstrations also took place in Germany, where officers used tear gas as evening fell. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said about 150 planned demonstrations passed off peacefully, but police faced an "extraordinary" level of violence from some rioters as the rallies ended.

Timeline

1. CBS News

   31 Oct 2026, 16:57 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports that police said about 70,000 people demonstrated in Paris alone, that France's interior ministry said about 320,000 people rallied nationwide, and that police clashed with some protesters again.

2. The Times of Israel

   31 Oct 2026, 17:46 UTCSource ↗

   The Times of Israel reports that the third consecutive week of rallies was largely peaceful, with some participants in Halloween costumes, but clashes broke out in Paris and elsewhere, and attendance was down from previous weekends.

3. The New York Times

   31 Oct 2026, 21:00 UTCSource ↗

   The New York Times reports in a live update that the interior ministry estimated about 320,000 people demonstrated nationwide, a smaller number than the previous two Saturdays, and that police and protesters clashed in Paris and other cities.

4. CBS News

   1 Nov 2026, 00:53 UTCSource ↗

   CBS News reports in a video segment that another wave of violence erupted in Paris on Saturday as anti-government protesters clashed with police, and that demonstrations were also held across Europe.

5. The Guardian

   1 Nov 2026, 01:43 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that tens of thousands marched in a third wave of protests over the cost of living and deteriorating public services, that clashes erupted in Paris, Marseille and other cities, and that Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police faced an "extraordinary" level of violence from some rioters.