France nationwide protests and riots
Nationwide youth-led protests in France over education and living costs have continued for multiple weekends, with hundreds of arrests, schools blockaded, clashes with police and a petrol-bomb attack on officers that prompted an attempted-murder investigation. French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed strong measures while acknowledging some student grievances as legitimate, and the unrest has coincided with similar youth-led rallies elsewhere in Europe.
Last known state
French students have resumed school blockades on a smaller scale after the autumn break, with 41 schools blockaded, while an attempted-murder investigation is underway over a petrol-bomb attack on police during the third consecutive weekend of nationwide protests.
5 sources · 5 reports · Last updated 8 Nov 2026
Latest development
France held a third consecutive weekend of nationwide protests involving about 320,000 people and 779 arrests, prosecutors opened an attempted-murder investigation over a petrol-bomb attack on police, and students resumed small-scale school blockades after the autumn break.
Developments
- Key development
School protests resumed on a small scale after the autumn break, with the education ministry reporting 41 schools blockaded.
- Key development
Paris prosecutors opened an attempted-murder investigation after a petrol bomb was thrown at police during the protests.
- Key development
A third weekend of nationwide protests saw about 320,000 people demonstrate, 70,000 security personnel deployed and 779 arrests reported, with the interior minister warning of a 'very high risk' of disorder.
- Earlier development
President Macron said the government would announce 'concrete and strong' measures and acknowledged students had 'legitimate' grievances.
- Earlier development
Earlier protests escalated into rioting, looting, fires and clashes in multiple cities, with authorities reporting about 2,400 arrests and scores of injured officers; the government imposed partial curfews and vowed a massive police presence.
Earlier coverage
- French school protests resume on small scale as students return from break Education ministry says 41 schools blockaded as students return after holiday break.
- France launches attempted murder investigation after petrol bomb thrown at police There were hundreds of arrests as protesters took to the streets in cities across France for the third weekend in a row.
- Photos: Youth-led rallies sweep Germany Tens of thousands take to the streets across Germany's biggest cities to demand better education and lower living costs.
- France: Macron vows 'strong measures' to combat protests French President Emmanuel Macron said his government will announce "strong measures" in response to violent protests in France in recent weeks. But he also acknowledged that students have "legitimate" grievances.
- Hundreds of thousands march in France to protest against government Hundreds of thousands marched across France on Saturday protesting the rising cost of living and a lack of government resources for essential services like schools. While demonstrations in Paris started peacefully they ended with a heavy security response, with almost 1,000 arrested across the country. France 24 International Affairs Editor Oliver Farry shares further details.
- French PM vows 'massive' police deployment for new demonstrations French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Tuesday vowed a "massive" police presence at fresh protests called for the coming weekend, as he faced criticism over the handling of recent street violence. The eurozone's second-largest economy was rocked on Saturday by some of its worst rioting in recent years, just six months before voters head to the polls to elect a successor to President Emmanuel Macron. FRANCE 24's…
- French cities ‘calm overnight’ after targeted curfews, prime minister says – Europe live Sébastien Lecornu suggests more curfews could be introduced to quell unrest after weekend protests French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu said that targeted curfews introduced in parts of Paris and other major cities “have contributed to calm overnight,” as he suggested more curfews could be introduced if needed today. In a particular symbol of stepped up security measures, a helicopter flew over the French capital…
- France protests escalate with riots, looting and 2,400 arrests – The Latest Last weekend there were mass protests across France, with more than half a million people estimated to have been involved. The unrest included rioting, looting and violent clashes with outnumbered police in cities including Paris, Marseille and Limoges. The interior minister conceded that police ‘lost control’ in some cities, while President Emmanuel Macron demanded a full security review. Lucy Hough speaks to the G…
- French prime minister calls for ‘local and partial’ curfews after riots Interior minister concedes police ‘lost control’, with forces in cities including Paris and Lyon overwhelmed after ‘lack of anticipation’ Europe live – latest updates France’s prime minister has said he has asked regional authorities to impose partial curfews in some cities after the government admitted police had “lost control” in several places during violent weekend protests around the country. Sébastien Lecornu…
- France's Macron vows to hold accountable those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' "Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable," Macron said in a televised address to the nation.
- Photos: Protests across France spiral into looting, blazes and clashes Authorities report 1,200 arrests and 150 injured police officers as unrest erupts in multiple French cities.
- France tackles new wave of nationwide protests France is tackling nationwide protests, as students, unions, and activists rally against high prices and inequality.