Youth-Led Protests Sweep France for Third Weekend Amid Rising Living Costs
Hundreds of thousands of mostly young demonstrators marched across France on Saturday, marking a third consecutive weekend of large‑scale protests over cost of living and education.
Mass Turnout Continues Across France
Young people are driving a wave of street activism that is reshaping protest dynamics across Europe. On Saturday, French authorities counted an estimated 320,000 demonstrators nationwide, a lower figure than the 500,000 who rallied on Oct. 17 and the 410,000 on Oct. 24, but still a substantial presence.
In Paris, police moved the main demonstration to the city’s periphery, estimating that 70,000 participants assembled at the Porte de Bagnolet before the march was redirected along the Boulevards des Maréchaux.
Police Presence and Arrests
About 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed across France for the Saturday actions. The Interior Ministry reported roughly 300 arrests nationwide, a decline from the 800 arrests recorded at the same point in the previous weekend’s protests.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warned of a “very high risk” of disorder after dark, especially on Halloween, after police had arrested thousands following riots and looting on the two prior Saturdays.
Protest Atmosphere and Incidents
Students, climate activists and cost‑of‑living demonstrators each carried distinct banners as they marched. At Porte de Bagnolet, thousands followed a line of students hand‑in‑hand, while CGT union security agents guarded the front and police positioned themselves on side streets.
The march proceeded with techno music, live painting and even trick‑or‑treating, while a police helicopter hovered overhead as the sun set. Near the march’s endpoint at Porte de Charenton, clashes broke out; protesters threw glass bottles and fireworks, prompting police to fire stun grenades and tear gas, filling the dusk‑darkened streets with smoke.
Many peaceful marchers withdrew, some seeking refuge in the nearby Bois de Vincennes, one of Paris’s largest parks.
Underlying Grievances
The demonstrations originated last month with high‑school students protesting dilapidated school facilities, teacher shortages and a university admissions system they claim disadvantages poorer students. Labor unions and other groups opposed to President Emmanuel Macron have since joined, expanding the list of demands.
Corentin Cabreux, a 21‑year‑old student, described living conditions in a state‑run residence as “damp stains all along the bottom of my walls, whole sections peeling off, cockroaches everywhere, rats.”
Continuing Tensions
While the majority of participants remained peaceful, “troublemakers” repeatedly targeted police with fireworks and projectiles. Earlier unrest on Oct. 17 surprised the government, leading to police use of tear gas, dispersion grenades, water cannons and other tactics that caused severe injuries.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as protests persist across France and similar youth‑led demonstrations are reported in Germany and Italy.
The sustained mobilization of young citizens signals a deepening challenge for French policymakers as they grapple with economic and educational discontent.
