Protests Sweep French Cities as Clashes Break Out on Halloween

UPDATE - follow-up to Live Updates: Hundreds of Thousands Join Another Round of Protests in France: Nationwide demonstrations drew 320,000 protesters across France on Saturday, marking a smaller turnout than the previous two weeks but still bringing clashes with police in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Rennes as night fell.

Unauthorized Marches

As official rallies ended, unauthorized groups formed in eastern Paris, raising fears of violence amplified by Halloween night. The French interior ministry deployed 70,000 police officers, matching the operation from October 24. Officers used tear gas and stun grenades against crowds refusing to disperse, while rioters threw fireworks and Molotov cocktails, set a car on fire, and clashed with police.

Student and Public Grievances

Students, who return to school on Monday after a two-week break, remain unsatisfied with government concessions that capped some class sizes, offered loans for school buildings, and phased out an online college admissions platform. The two-month-old movement now includes university students, public workers, and yellow vest movement veterans. Officials also confirmed that far-right groups have infiltrated the protests.

Context

This follows an earlier report, covered earlier on 01 Nov 2026: 'Live Updates: Hundreds of Thousands Join Another Round of Protests in France'.