France: 410,000 March Nationwide in Second Cost-of-Living Protest Day
On October 24, 2026, France held its second major day of protests against high living costs, underfunded schools and for public freedoms. The Interior Ministry counted 410,000 participants nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris, while the CGT union claimed 800,000. Despite rain, autumn holidays, last-minute route changes and 70,000 deployed police, the marches were largely peaceful compared with the October 17 unrest, though clashes occurred at the end of some routes and police used tear gas and water cannons. About 1,000 arrests were reported, with injuries in Toulouse, Clermont-Ferrand and Poitiers. Further actions were announced for October 31 and November 5.
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Mass protests in France see more rain than water cannons
Hundreds of thousands of people protested across France on October 24, 2026, in the second major day of demonstrations against high living costs and underfunded schools. The Interior Ministry reported 410,000 participants nationwide, while unions claimed around 800,000, with at least 110,000 in Paris. Police relocated the Paris route from Place de la Bastille to the southern city edge shortly before the start, part of a series of government measures restricting protests since the October 17 unrest. Despite rain and autumn holidays, turnout remained strong. Violence was limited compared to previous weeks, though police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd at the end, and injuries were reported in Toulouse, Clermont-Ferrand, and Poitiers. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the demonstrations went "well," with around 1,000 arrests. Jean-Luc Mélenchon of La France Insoumise said protests would repeat weekly, and further actions are planned for October 31 and a nationwide strike on November 5.
Read sourceFrance's Second Mass Protest Day Sees Hundreds of Thousands March Amid Heavy Rain
On October 24, 2026, France held its second major protest day against high living costs and poor school funding. Despite rain, autumn holidays, and 70,000 mobilized police officers, the Interior Ministry reported 410,000 protesters nationwide, while unions claimed around 800,000. At least 110,000 demonstrated in Paris. The route was moved from Place de la Bastille to the southern outskirts hours before the start. Unlike the October 17 unrest, the day was largely peaceful, though police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd at the end. A young man in Toulouse suffered a severe hand injury, another in Clermont-Ferrand lost fingers to a tear gas grenade, and a bank branch in Tours was set on fire. About 1,000 arrests were made. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the protests went "well." Organizers announced further actions for October 31 and November 5.
Read sourceFrance Sees Large Calm Protests Against Cost of Living, With Minor Clashes
On Saturday, October 24, nearly 410,000 people across France—800,000 according to the CGT union—marched peacefully against the high cost of living, in support of high school students, and for public freedoms, according to the Interior Ministry. The demonstrations, described as "act II" following the previous week's protests, proceeded calmly despite permits and routes often decided at the last minute. Clashes broke out in Nantes, Rennes, and Marseille by the end of the day, but were far smaller than the violence and looting that accompanied the October 17 protests. Organizers had feared both renewed looting and a heavy-handed police response, but neither materialized on a large scale. The mobilization was only slightly lower than the previous week's figures, despite multiple administrative obstacles to organizing the marches.
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France Sees Large Calm Protests Against Cost of Living With Minor Clashes
On Saturday, October 24, protests against the high cost of living, in support of high school students, and for public freedoms took place across France. According to the Interior Ministry, 410,000 people demonstrated nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris, while the CGT union claimed 800,000 participants, with 250,000 in the capital. The demonstrations were largely peaceful despite last-minute authorizations and routes. However, clashes broke out in Nantes, Rennes, and Marseille in the evening, though they were far less severe than the violence and looting that occurred during the October 17 protests. The article notes that many feared a repeat of the previous week's disorder, but the day unfolded without major incidents, with crowds exceeding those of the first round.
Read sourceFrance Protests: 410,000 March Nationwide as Tensions Flare in Paris, Marseille
On Saturday, October 24, nearly 410,000 people demonstrated across France according to the Interior Ministry, while the CGT union claimed over 800,000 participants. The protests, involving Yellow Vests, unions, and students, focused on purchasing power, public services, and tax and social justice. Marches were largely peaceful, but clashes occurred at the end of routes in Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg. In Paris, the administrative court rejected organizers' appeal against the prefecture's imposed route, and the authorized procession went from Porte d'Italie to Porte de Vincennes. In Marseille, the administrative court partially suspended a prefectoral ban on demonstrations, allowing gatherings in some cities. In Orléans, 11,000 to 26,000 people protested against the National Rally's congress. The day took place under high security following prior bans on many corteges.
Read sourceFrance Protests: 410,000 March Nationwide as Tensions Flare in Paris, Marseille
On Saturday, October 24, nearly 410,000 people demonstrated across France according to the Interior Ministry, while the CGT union claimed over 800,000 participants. The protests, involving Yellow Vests, unions, high school and university students, focused on purchasing power, public services, and tax and social justice. Marches were largely peaceful, but clashes occurred at the end of some routes, notably in Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg. In Paris, the administrative court rejected organizers' appeal against the police-prefecture-imposed route, which they accepted to avoid risks; the authorized procession went from Porte d'Italie to Porte de Vincennes via the Boulevards des Maréchaux. In Marseille, the administrative court partially suspended the prefectural ban on demonstrations in Bouches-du-Rhône, allowing gatherings in some towns. In Orléans, 11,000 to 26,000 people protested against the National Rally, which held a congress there that weekend.