France: third weekend of protests, 422 detained and clashes with police in Paris

On Saturday 31 October 2026, a third consecutive wave of demonstrations against the rising cost of living and poor public services swept across France. In Paris, protesters clashed with police.

Numbers and what happened

According to the French interior ministry, 320,000 people took part in protests nationwide. Organisers put the figure at almost 500,000. In Paris alone, organisers estimated about 200,000 people, while the police prefecture said 70,000.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 422 people were detained in connection with Saturday's demonstrations. He judged that, despite the incidents, the protests as a whole were peaceful. He also spoke of groups of vandals that, he said, appeared in every city. He blamed the attacks on police officers on groups the authorities describe as ultra-left.

One of the more serious incidents was an attack on a police officer in Paris with a Molotov cocktail. The officer was lightly injured.

Background: three Saturdays of protests

The demonstrations intensified in late September, when President Emmanuel Macron's minority government began work on the 2027 budget. France's public debt is approaching 120% of GDP, so the authorities are looking for savings. Pupils and students unhappy with the state of schools and the university admissions system have been joined by trade unions and a reviving "yellow vests" movement. The government's promises on education reform and on easing the effects of high fuel prices have not calmed the mood.

The first big Saturday of protests, 17 October, turned into riots and looting. More than 1,800 people were detained across the country, and more than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured. A week later, on 24 October, 142 people were detained in Paris, and the authorities spoke of a much calmer day. For 31 October the government deployed 70,000 police officers. Before the weekend, Minister Nuñez said the risk of riots would be "very high".

Economic and legal consequences

The Chamber of Commerce estimates that losses to retailers after the riots exceeded €1bn. Other estimates put the total cost at up to twice that. The government is working on a law under which rioters could be made to pay up to €10,000 for the damage caused. Human rights organisations and some lawyers warn the rules could threaten the right to peaceful protest.

Similar demonstrations by young people are taking place in other European countries, including Germany and Italy.

What this means for you

The sources do not mention any restrictions for travellers. People travelling to France, especially to larger cities, should nevertheless follow announcements from local authorities and avoid places where protests are taking place. In some places the authorities have previously banned protests, mainly in city centres.