French police arrested 1,314 people during nationwide protests on Saturday, October 24, 2026, as demonstrations over the rising cost of living and public services were followed by clashes in several cities. The French Interior Ministry confirmed the arrest figure on Sunday, October 25, and reported that 53 police officers were injured during the unrest.
The demonstrations marked the second consecutive weekend of protests across France. Although many marches took place peacefully, confrontations between protesters and security forces erupted in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse and other cities. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in some locations.
The Interior Ministry estimated that approximately 410,000 people participated in Saturday’s demonstrations nationwide, including around 110,000 in Paris. The CGT trade union, which helped organise some of the protests, estimated the national turnout at nearly 800,000.
The demonstrations took place in multiple regions, with participants gathering to express concerns about household expenses, economic inequality and the funding of public services. Education was another major issue, with students and teachers raising concerns about staffing shortages, school conditions and funding.
The protests have expanded beyond their initial focus on education, attracting workers, trade union members and other demonstrators concerned about the country’s economic conditions and government policies.
In Paris, the main march took place along the southeastern edge of the capital. The demonstration was largely peaceful before violence broke out near Porte de Vincennes as the gathering ended.
Police confronted a group of approximately 500 hooded individuals, using tear gas and water cannons. Some protesters reportedly threw fireworks and other objects towards officers.
In Marseille, groups set fire to rubbish bins to obstruct roads and threw rocks and bottles at security forces. Police also reported that several shops, including two jewellery stores, were ransacked.
Clashes were reported in Lyon, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lille, Rennes, Nantes and Toulouse. Authorities also reported fires and damage to businesses during the demonstrations.
The Interior Ministry said police responded to 75 fires during Saturday’s protests and reported that 24 shops had been looted. Investigations were opened into incidents involving violence and property damage.
French authorities deployed approximately 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide for Saturday’s demonstrations. This was around 10,000 more personnel than the previous weekend, when protests were accompanied by widespread looting and property damage.
The increased deployment followed criticism that security preparations for the October 17 demonstrations had underestimated the scale of the violence. Ahead of the latest protests, the Interior Ministry instructed local authorities to assess potential risks, protect businesses along demonstration routes and conduct preventive security checks.
In Paris, some shops boarded up their storefronts, while several cultural institutions closed as a precaution. Security measures were also introduced in other cities where authorities anticipated possible clashes.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the authorities had prepared for groups that might separate from the main demonstrations and engage in violence. The government said the additional security measures were intended to prevent a repeat of the previous weekend’s unrest.
The Interior Ministry reported that 53 officers were injured during Saturday’s clashes. Officials also reported serious injuries among protesters in Toulouse and Clermont-Ferrand, although the ministry’s statement did not provide a nationwide total for injured demonstrators.
The latest protests reflect growing public mobilisation around living costs, education funding and the provision of public services. Demonstrations that began with concerns about school conditions have developed into a broader movement involving different groups across France.
Authorities continue to investigate incidents recorded during the demonstrations, including assaults, fires and damage to businesses. The events of October 24 followed the previous weekend’s unrest and prompted another large-scale security operation across the country.
