Orléans: 3,000 Officers Deployed as RN Congress Meets Mass Protests
France's Rassemblement National held its congress in Orléans on October 24-25, 2026, officially launching Marine Le Pen's presidential campaign before nearly 15,000 supporters. Between 20,000 and 30,000 opponents were expected, and a Saturday march drew 11,000 demonstrators per the prefecture and 26,000 per organizers. Authorities deployed nearly 3,000 police and gendarmes, banned gatherings in Orléans except the congress, and imposed a curfew for under-15s. About one hundred antifascists rallied Sunday outside the ban zone.
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Antifascist Activists Rally in Orléans Despite Ban as RN Holds Congress
About one hundred antifascist activists gathered in Orléans on Sunday, October 25, 2026, outside a prefecture-imposed ban zone, roughly four kilometers from the Co'Met arena where the Rassemblement National (RN) held its congress. Marine Le Pen was scheduled to deliver her first major campaign speech there that afternoon. The prefecture of Loiret had banned all gatherings in a wide perimeter around Orléans and nearby communes. Protesters assembled near the administrative detention center, chanting slogans such as "R like racists, N like Nazis, down with the RN!" and "It's not immigrants, it's not undocumented people. It's the fascists we need to get rid of!" One participant, Fleur, 29, said they could not let a fascist party hold a congress as if it were ordinary. Delphine of the Ciao Fachos collective said the location was outside the ban perimeter and that seven proposed routes had been refused, adding they faced checks and searches. Since Saturday morning, 3,000 police and gendarmes have been deployed, with traffic banned in Orléans. Mayor Serge Grouard had expressed fears of "excesses" after calls for unauthorized gatherings. The previous day, an anti-RN demonstration drew between 13,000 and 26,000 people peacefully.
Read sourceThousands Protest Against National Rally Congress in Orléans
Thousands of people gathered in Orléans on Saturday to protest against the National Rally party's congress being held in the city that weekend. The prefecture reported 11,000 demonstrators at midday, while organizers claimed 26,000. Several left-wing figures joined the march, including Bally Bagayoko, the mayor of Saint-Denis, who denounced the racism and exclusion represented by Marine Le Pen's party and also blamed Emmanuel Macron for having "divided society" and "let RN ideas spread." The city's mayor, Serge Grouard of the miscellaneous right, announced a curfew for those under 15 across the entire city from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the nights of Saturday to Sunday and Sunday to Monday.
Read sourceOrléans Braces for Mass Protests as RN Holds Congress and Launches Le Pen Campaign
Orléans is preparing for large-scale mobilizations around the Rassemblement national (RN) congress on Saturday, October 24. Between 20,000 and 30,000 opponents are expected in the city center for a transpartisan demonstration against racism, fascism, and imperialism, while nearly 15,000 RN supporters gather at the Zénith for the party congress and the official launch of Marine Le Pen's presidential campaign. Prefecture estimates put the protest crowd at up to 30,000. Several political figures are expected to join the march, including Socialist Party first secretary Olivier Faure and Saint-Denis mayor Bally Bagayoko. Many shops will be closed and transport halted as the city is placed under tight security, with wooden panels protecting storefronts and café terraces folded away to prevent them being used as projectiles.
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France Deploys Army and Bans Protests Ahead of Le Pen's RN Congress in Orléans
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has announced an exceptionally heavy security deployment, including army soldiers, ahead of Saturday's Rassemblement National (RN) congress in Orléans where Marine Le Pen will be officially nominated as presidential candidate. Intelligence services expect tens of thousands of antifascist demonstrators, raising fears of violent clashes between far-left activists and right-wing extremists. All public gatherings in Orléans have been banned, though the RN congress itself is exempt. President Macron declared numerous planned demonstrations illegal in Marseille, Lyon, Metz, Toulon, and Le Havre, citing only 'legitimate organizations' like unions as eligible for permits—a criterion some constitutional scholars consider incompatible with the constitution. The government also fears renewed violence from Yellow Vest and youth protests, following recent riots with vandalism and looting. Army helicopters have monitored curfews, and soldiers will protect public buildings. Gun and self-defense spray sales have surged tenfold, and over 10 percent of hotel bookings have been cancelled amid the unrest.
Read sourceFrance Deploys Army and Bans Protests Ahead of Le Pen's RN Congress
France's government is mobilizing all available forces, including soldiers, for Saturday as Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warns of possible severe clashes in Orléans between antifascist demonstrators and far-right activists. Marine Le Pen is set to be officially nominated as the Rassemblement National's presidential candidate at a congress there, and polls make her the heavy favorite for next May's election. Authorities have banned all demonstrations in Orléans except the RN congress, and similar bans apply in Marseille, Lyon, Metz, Toulon, and Le Havre, though a CGT march in Paris was approved. Soldiers will mainly protect public buildings, while army helicopters have enforced nighttime curfews. Macron said only "legitimate organizations" like unions can seek permits, a criterion some constitutional scholars consider incompatible with the constitution. Fears of renewed violence, private armament by shopkeepers, and canceled tourism reservations reflect a deepening crisis.
Read sourceRN Congress in Orléans: 20,000-30,000 Opponents Expected, Exceptional Security Deployed
French authorities are deploying nearly 3,000 law enforcement officers in Orléans this weekend for the Rassemblement National (RN) congress, which will also mark the official launch of Marine Le Pen's presidential campaign. Between 20,000 and 30,000 opponents are expected, including an estimated 2,000-3,000 radical elements, according to Loiret prefect Hugues Moutouh. A large protest against racism, fascism, and imperialism is scheduled for Saturday morning, organized by around fifty left-wing organizations, unions, and political movements. Figures such as PS leader Olivier Faure, CGT head Sophie Binet, and LFI mayor Bally Bagayoko are expected to attend. The prefect warned that no demonstration will be allowed on Sunday, citing risks from ultra-left groups. Security measures include fifteen mobile force units, a Centaure armored vehicle, and water cannons. Orléans mayor Serge Grouard announced museum closures, suspended tram service, and removed self-service bikes, expressing concern for public safety.