France Protests: Tear Gas, Water Cannons Used as Over 4 Lakh Take to Streets, Nearly 1,000 Arrested

French police fired tear gas and deployed water cannons as protests over education funding, rising living costs and economic inequality turned violent across the country on Saturday. France’s Interior Ministry estimated that 410,000 people joined the demonstrations nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris, while nearly 1,000 people were arrested, with the figure expected to rise.

The protests brought together students, teachers, trade unions and other demonstrators, intensifying pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government. The CGT trade union put the national turnout at nearly 800,000.

Clashes Erupt in Paris as Police Deploy Water Cannons

The march through Paris began peacefully but turned violent near Porte de Vincennes, on the capital’s south-eastern outskirts. Videos from the area showed thick clouds of tear gas, while mask-wearing protesters threw cobblestones and other projectiles at security forces.

Police used armoured water cannons to disperse crowds. Footage also showed smashed shop windows and looting, raising concerns following unrest the previous week that damaged more than 3,000 businesses across France.

The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed 64 arrests linked to Saturday’s demonstration. Forty people, including six minors, were placed in custody, primarily on suspicion of weapons offences or intending to commit violence and damage property.

70,000 Security Personnel Deployed Across France

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez deployed 70,000 police officers and security personnel nationwide, backed by armoured vehicles and helicopters.

Clashes were reported in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Strasbourg and Marseille, where police fired tear gas. Water cannons were used to disperse crowds in Nantes and Nice.

Authorities tightened security around major Paris landmarks, including the Arc de Triomphe. The Louvre and Orsay museums, along with the Art Basel fair, also closed for the weekend as officials sought to protect prominent venues from further violence.

The heightened security followed the previous week’s unrest, when authorities acknowledged that police had lost control of several city centres.

Students and Teachers Protest Staff Shortages, Poor Facilities

The demonstrations began last month following complaints about staff shortages at a high school south-east of Paris. The movement has since expanded into a broader campaign against underfunded public education and mounting financial pressures.

Government figures show that public middle and high schools lost 15.4 million teaching hours during the 2024–25 school year because staff absences went unreplaced. As a result, 7.5% of scheduled class time was not delivered.

Students are demanding 250,000 additional higher education places, changes to the Parcoursup university admissions system, a freeze on rents in public student accommodation and a monthly increase of €200 in grants.

Economic pressures have added to public anger. Energy prices rose 21.3% year-on-year in September, while overall inflation reached 3.1%, squeezing household budgets.

Young Protesters Raise Concerns Over Jobs and Inequality

The march drew people from different generations and professions, many worried about employment prospects, housing and the future of public services.

Camille Chesnier, 27, who holds an engineering degree and a master’s degree but remains unemployed, said many young people without financial advantages faced severe hardship, including homelessness.

Teacher Bénédicte Pittion, 46, marched with her 16-year-old daughter, Garance. She said young demonstrators had not received an adequate response from the authorities.

Garance said she was frightened by violence during earlier protests but argued that staying home would allow the government to claim victory.

Soumaya Abed, 58, a veteran nurse wearing a CGT union vest, criticised the decision to move the march towards the outskirts of Paris. She said the unrest would not stop students from demanding better school conditions.

Another protester, Louis Ledoux-Xatard, expressed concern over growing economic inequality, warning against a future in which wealth is concentrated among a small section of society.

Macron’s Offer on University Admissions Rejected

The protests present another challenge for Macron, whose approval ratings have fallen to their lowest levels since he took office in 2017. Discontent over public services and the cost of living has added to pressure on his government in the closing months of his term.

Macron met student representatives on Friday and promised changes to university admissions. Protest organisers, however, rejected the offer as insufficient.

The movement has drawn comparisons with France’s Yellow Vest protests, which began in 2018 over fuel taxes before expanding into a wider campaign against the cost of living and perceived economic inequality.

The Yellow Vest movement has called for another nationwide day of action on October 31 to defend the right to demonstrate, signalling that tensions could continue in the coming weeks.