France protest: 575,000 people take part in demonstrations across major cities; 70,000 police deployed | What we know

Nationwide demonstrations continued across France on Thursday (local time), drawing roughly 575,000 protesters, according to government estimates, in the largest turnout recorded since the protests began in September.

The protests were largely peaceful, despite some clashes with police in major cities like Paris and Lyon, as some public sector workers staged a one-day strike in a renewed challenge to President Emmanuel Macron, Reuters reported.

While the Interior Ministry said 575,000 people attended the protests, the CGT union, one of the organisers, put the figure at 1.6 million.

Nationwide demonstrations continue: Here's what we know

According to CNN, the demonstrations have expanded beyond students demanding better conditions in schools, drawing participation from trade unions and Yellow Vest protesters. The protests have also disrupted operations at schools, universities, railways and, to a lesser extent, hospitals.

Several high-profile politicians also joined the protests, including presidential candidates Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Raphaël Glucksmann. The demonstrations follow protests over the high cost of living, public services and education, which have triggered the worst civil unrest in France in years.

The unrest in France comes just months before a presidential election, which Macron cannot contest, putting added pressure on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. He is preparing to meet workers' and employers' groups on November 9 (local time) to discuss concerns over the cost of living and salaries. The election could pit far-right candidate Marine Le Pen against hard-left rival Mélenchon in a second-round run-off.

The strike also led to a drop in France's nuclear power output early on Thursday, while the Education Ministry said just over 15% of the country's teaching staff had joined the walkout.

Largely peaceful protests in France turn violent: What we know

Protests got underway in Lyon and other cities, including Marseille and Nantes, during the morning, while the main march in Paris began later in the afternoon from Place de la République.

At the start, the mood in Paris was festive, with a large group of participants singing "La Marseillaise" and some carnival-like floats. The one-day strike drew participants from energy workers and teachers, and the Eiffel Tower was shut down. However, there were no major disruptions to transport services in Paris.

Two hours later, several people at the front of the march clashed with police, who fired tear gas. Citing Paris police, Reuters reported that several hooded individuals had committed acts of vandalism, prompting officers to intervene to stop the incidents and isolate those involved.

In Lyon, southeastern France, about 470 km southeast of Paris, riot police used tear gas against protesters and charged at a group, some of whom shouted anti-police slogans. The Interior Ministry said police in Lyon were confronted by several hundred protesters. Although violence was contained, tensions remained high.

As the demonstrations drew to a close, some protesters clashed with police, while authorities had to put out at least one small fire near the protest site. The Interior Ministry announced that at least 53 police officers had been injured and more than 448 people arrested.

Around 70,000 police personnel were deployed across the country, a figure comparable to that of recent weekends. The French government defended police actions while maintaining that any instances of misconduct would be investigated.

Ever since demonstrations turned violent roughly three weeks ago, authorities and shopkeepers have braced for similar scenes at each of the nationwide protests that followed.

However, CNN reported that some train services were disrupted due to the demonstrations and striking workers. Citing the country's Health Ministry, it said that roughly 5% of hospital staff had participated in the strike, adding that "no significant disruption to healthcare services has been reported".

The demonstrations highlight the growing discontent over living costs, public services and education, adding to the political pressure on Macron's government ahead of the next presidential election.

(with agency inputs)

About the Author

Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.