Protests across France draw hundreds of thousands as clashes break out in several cities

Summary

Demonstrations took place across France on Saturday over purchasing power and the defence of public services, with the high cost of living a central concern. The Interior Ministry put the nationwide turnout at 410,000, including 110,000 in Paris, slightly lower than the 550,000 who marched the previous week. The union that organised the authorised events counted 800,000 participants nationwide and 250,000 in the capital. Clashes broke out in several cities, including Paris, Lyon, Rennes, Nantes, Bordeaux, Nice and Marseille, where police fired tear gas at demonstrators. Authorities had deployed 70,000 security forces across the country. Video reporting says Paris remained largely calm during the day, while clashes in other cities followed attempts to enter unauthorised areas. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said members of ultra-left groups threw projectiles and fireworks at police in an attempt to provoke clashes, while the marches themselves passed off well in several cities.

Timeline

1. France 24

   24 Oct 2026, 17:10 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that the Interior Ministry, as told to AFP, counted 410,000 people at Saturday's protests across France, while the union organising the authorised events counted 800,000, and that clashes broke out in several cities where police fired tear gas at demonstrators.

2. France 24

   24 Oct 2026, 17:50 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 video reports that the Interior Ministry estimated at least 410,000 people rallied across France, including 110,000 in Paris, while organisers reported nearly 800,000, and that Paris stayed largely calm while clashes broke out in other cities after attempts to enter unauthorised areas.

3. Channel NewsAsia

   24 Oct 2026, 18:11 UTCSource ↗

   Channel NewsAsia reports that authorities deployed 70,000 security forces across the country for the new marches, called again to protest the cost of living, as clashes broke out in Paris and other cities.

4. Straits Times

   24 Oct 2026, 18:36 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that violence flared in Paris after largely peaceful protests across France over living costs and inequality, and that the Interior Ministry said 410,000 people took part nationwide.

5. France 24

   25 Oct 2026, 15:00 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said members of ultra-left groups threw projectiles and fireworks at police to provoke clashes, while the marches themselves passed off well in several cities.