French Authorities Count 320000 Protesters as Clashes Erupt in Paris on Third Weekend of Demonstrations

French police fired tear gas and charged small groups of protesters near Porte de Charenton in Paris on the evening of 31 October 2026 after marches that began earlier in the day drew hundreds of thousands of people. The Interior Ministry reported 320000 participants nationwide, with 70000 in the capital. A coalition of student and youth unions put the total closer to 500000, including 200000 in Paris.

This was the third consecutive Saturday of large demonstrations focused on living costs, school conditions, and police conduct. Turnout fell from 410000 the previous weekend and 550000 on 17 October, according to official figures. Organizers had called the day high risk because it fell on Halloween.

Most of the marches stayed orderly. In Paris the authorized route ran along the eastern edge of the city rather than through the center. Thousands of people, some in costumes, walked under a police helicopter. Placards referred to future prospects and the cost of living. Techno music played from speakers on some sections of the route.

Tension rose once the main Paris march reached its endpoint. Dozens of people in black clothing used hammers to lift paving stones and throw them toward police lines. At least one Molotov cocktail was thrown. Officers responded with tear gas and baton charges. The Paris police prefecture described a hard core of several hundred at the rear of the procession. Five officers were injured in the capital, three by burns from incendiary devices.

Similar scenes occurred in Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, and other cities. The Interior Ministry said radical elements tried to break away toward commercial districts in Bordeaux, Toulouse, Rennes, Lille, Nantes, and Marseille, but security forces stopped them. Nationwide, police and gendarmes numbered about 70000. By 9 pm the ministry reported 565 arrests. Additional arrests followed after dark. Identity checks reached 40000 across the country.

Student leaders said they would blockade high schools and universities on Tuesday and Thursday of the following week, then join a workers’ demonstration on 5 November. Sabrine Kharbach of Union Etudiante stated that the group would continue until the government addressed classroom overcrowding, teacher shortages, and the Parcoursup admissions system. High school students have complained for weeks about class sizes of 32 to 35 pupils, unrepaired buildings, and missing staff.

The protests began in mid-September with school blockades and expanded to include broader economic grievances. France faces a 54 billion euro package of budget measures for 2027 that includes freezes on civil service pay. Public spending on higher education per student has fallen 20 percent in real terms since 2017, according to data compiled by economist Lucas Chancel. Teacher salaries lag those in Germany by roughly 27000 euros a year before social charges.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the marches themselves stayed within declared limits, while radical groups caused the disorder. Paris authorities restricted access to Place de la République and Les Halles from 11 pm to 6 am. A court earlier suspended a separate curfew on unaccompanied minors around the Champs-Élysées after finding it an illegal restriction on movement.

Presidential elections are less than six months away. Marine Le Pen of the National Rally leads most opinion polls. The current government under Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has offered increased school funding and an end to some fee rises, but student groups have rejected the proposals as insufficient. The next large action is scheduled for 5 November.

Property damage was lower than the previous weekend. Officials counted 36 shops damaged and three looted, against 69 and 24 a week earlier. Fires numbered 515. No deaths were reported. The Interior Ministry described the overall situation as generally calm outside the specific clash zones.