France nationwide protests and riots
Nationwide protests in France over the rising cost of living and demands for more government resources for schools and essential services have been followed by violent unrest, clashes, arrests and targeted curfews in Paris and other major cities. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has vowed a massive police deployment and suggested further curfews could be introduced, while President Emmanuel Macron has said his government will announce strong measures to combat the protests and address what he acknowledged as legitimate student grievances.
Current state
President Macron says the government will announce strong measures to address student grievances, and Prime Minister Lecornu is due to hold a news conference after meeting high-school student unions, while nationwide protests over living costs and public services continue under heavy security.
2 sources · 3 reports · Updated 26 Oct 2026
What changed
President Macron said the government will announce strong measures to address high-school student grievances, and Prime Minister Lecornu is due to hold a news conference after meeting student unions, as nationwide protests continue.
Developments
- Key development
On 24 October, hundreds of thousands marched again across France; the demonstrations turned violent in the evening, with police using tear gas and water cannon and almost 1,000 people arrested.
- Key development
The government imposed targeted partial curfews in parts of Paris and other cities, which Lecornu said contributed to calm overnight, while vowing a massive police presence at further demonstrations.
- Key development
Nationwide protests over living costs and public services escalated into rioting, looting, fires and clashes with police in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Limoges and other cities, drawing more than half a million people.
- Key development
Authorities reported about 2,400 arrests and scores of injured officers after town halls were attacked or burned and shops ransacked.
Current story coverage
Earlier coverage
- 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.