France is currently witnessing nationwide protests against the rising cost of living. These protests, which took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in several cities across the country, have reported clashes between protesters and police. According to the French Ministry of the Interior, it is estimated that around 410,000 people participated in these protests.
Protests in Several Cities
The protests were held in various cities including Paris and Marseille, while protesters also took to the streets in other cities like Lyon and Nantes. In Lyon, police used tear gas to disperse protesters who were wearing masks. Clashes also occurred in Marseille, prompting police to use tear gas as well.
Last week, about 550,000 people joined the protests, and the situation was concerning enough that some shopkeepers expressed worries about rising thefts. One store owner in Paris, Jonathan Syad, said: "Some of us are planning to buy weapons for self-defense in case thieves return." He also expressed his concerns about the possibility of a disaster in the future.
Police Response and Increased Forces
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that 135 people have been arrested during these protests, and various weapons including metal balls and homemade weapons have been seized from protesters. Nunez also mentioned the increase in the number of police forces on Saturday, stating that this number has risen to 70,000.
According to reports, clashes began in the late afternoon in several cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Paris. However, the situation seems calmer compared to last week when scenes of chaos and looting were observed. One Paris resident commented, "Our neighborhood looked like a war zone, but today everything seems completely empty."
While the protests in Paris were limited to the southeastern outskirts, protesters marched in support of the "Yellow Vests" movement and student demonstrators. According to the CGT union, around 800,000 people participated in these protests across France.
The Interior Minister also stated that police forces are prepared to prevent any further violence and that police will remain on standby in the coming days. "Our forces are on standby, and we are ready," he wrote on social media.
