Clashes hit France protests as turnout falls and students plan blockades

PARIS | 01-11-2026 : Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated across France on October 31 over living costs and education, with largely peaceful marches followed by clashes in several cities. More than 420 people were arrested nationwide, according to an AFP report published by Deccan Chronicle, which also reported that a Paris police officer suffered minor injuries in an incendiary attack.

Authorities counted 320,000 demonstrators nationally, including 70,000 in Paris, according to both The National and Deccan Chronicle. Youth organisations gave substantially higher estimates: nearly 500,000 across France and 200,000 in the capital, Deccan Chronicle reported. The supplied reports do not resolve that discrepancy.

Clashes follow restricted Paris march

In Paris, confrontations broke out as the march reached its endpoint on the capital’s outskirts. According to Deccan Chronicle’s AFP report, journalists saw masked participants breaking up paving stones and throwing them at police, who responded with tear gas and baton charges.

The Paris police prefecture said several hundred rioters attacked officers with projectiles, including a Molotov cocktail. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez attributed attacks to far-left extremist groups and characterised the incendiary attack on the officer as attempted murder, Deccan Chronicle reported. Those descriptions were the minister’s assessment.

The National’s Reuters report described police dispersing groups at the end of the Paris march and firing tear gas in Lyon and Toulouse. Deccan Chronicle also reported the use of water cannon against an unauthorised gathering of several thousand people in Toulouse.

Authorities had deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes before the demonstrations, according to an earlier AP report published by Deccan Chronicle. The Paris procession was confined to outer boulevards after unions and student groups unsuccessfully challenged restrictions in court. Overnight restrictions were also announced for the Republique and Chatelet-Les Halles areas.

Lower official turnout, broader demands

The official participation figure was below the 410,000 recorded the previous Saturday and 550,000 on October 17, The National reported. That earlier weekend saw rioting and looting that damaged shops, businesses and public buildings.

The movement has brought together students, trade unions and Yellow Vest activists. The National traced its momentum to student mobilisation in September over deteriorating school conditions, overcrowding and dissatisfaction with university admissions, followed by wider demands concerning fuel prices and household costs.

According to Deccan Chronicle’s AFP report, demands subsequently expanded to include civil liberties and protection of the right to demonstrate after security restrictions and serious injuries to some protesters. Participants also criticised the decision to keep marches away from city centres.

Further disruption planned

Student Union spokeswoman Sabrine Kharbach announced plans to blockade universities and high schools on Tuesday and Thursday before joining a November 5 demonstration called by workers and unions, Deccan Chronicle reported.

The protests come amid financial pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government. According to The National, Fitch revised its outlook on French debt to negative on Friday, while public debt was approaching 120 per cent of economic output. The outlet also reported a Chamber of Commerce estimate placing retailers’ losses above €1 billion.

Sources: The National (Reuters); Deccan Chronicle (AFP and AP).