France deploys 70,000 police for new weekend of protests
One Turn followed this story across 7 editions, from Paris, France on October 18, 2026. Newest first.
The movement began more than a month ago with high school students protesting learning conditions. It grew into a wider protest over the cost of living. Last weekend, looting and fires broke out on the sidelines of marches, including at Limoges city hall.
France deployed about 70,000 police and gendarmes on Saturday for a new wave of nationwide protests. The Louvre and other major Paris museums closed. Protests were banned in Marseille and Lyon, and a partial curfew covers parts of Paris until Monday. Students, unions and Yellow Vests plan to march over study conditions and purchasing power.
Why it matters: Unrest in the euro area's second-largest economy disrupts daily life and adds pressure on France's budget and borrowing costs.
France will deploy about 70,000 police and gendarmes on Saturday, close the Louvre and other Paris museums, allow only union marches and ban protests in Marseille and Lyon, the government said. President Macron met student representatives for the first time since the protests began and postponed a trip to Nigeria and Senegal, while student groups called for protests to continue. The US State Department said Trump was 'spot on' about France after Macron criticized foreign leaders' comments.
Why it matters: The unrest is disrupting tourism, sport and business and has drawn comment from foreign governments.
French authorities banned all protests in Lyon and Marseille on Saturday, and President Macron said only demonstrations organized by unions would be permitted, with 'illegitimate' protests banned in the coming days. Officials said police presence would be 20% higher than last weekend and top museums would close Saturday, after riots in which a town hall was set on fire and more than 2,000 shops were looted. Macron blamed 'ultra-left groups', and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu met party leaders.
Why it matters: The restrictions affect planned nationwide demonstrations, including a Yellow vests mobilization called for Saturday.
France imposed nightly curfews in central Paris and Lyon after its most destructive rioting in years, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the deployment for protests on October 24 would be massive and backed by the military, acknowledging last weekend's operation was too static. Trials of people arrested began in Paris, and police arrested a suspect over the arson of Limoges town hall, with anti-terror police investigating.
Why it matters: The unrest is affecting French businesses, markets and politics ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Paris ordered a new overnight curfew around Place de la République and Les Halles after a calm night under the first one, and other cities kept local curfews. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the deployment for protests planned on Saturday would be "massive," admitted last weekend's operation was "too static," and blamed ultra-left groups for the riots; Sentinelle troops will also be used. More than 2,000 people have been taken into custody since October 17, hundreds face immediate trials, and a suspect was arrested over the fire at Limoges town hall.
Why it matters: The unrest has unsettled French markets and fed debate across Europe over living costs ahead of France's presidential election in six months.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered localised curfews in parts of Paris, Nice, Lyon and other cities after weekend cost-of-living and school protests turned into rioting, looting and about 2,400 arrests. The interior minister conceded police had lost control, and Macron refused his resignation. Lecornu blamed the 'ultra-left' and said he would declare a state of emergency if needed.
Why it matters: The unrest in the eurozone's second-largest economy comes months before a presidential election and a critical budget vote, weighing on investor confidence.
Nationwide protests over school conditions and the cost of living drew hundreds of thousands on Saturday, with looting, arson and town hall break-ins in Paris, Marseille, Lille and other cities, and the Limoges town hall destroyed by fire. Reported arrests ranged from about 1,800 to nearly 2,400, one demonstrator died, and fresh clashes hit Paris on Sunday. In a national address Macron vowed accountability and transparency over policing but did not declare a state of emergency; Donald Trump blamed immigration.
Why it matters: The unrest, which damaged around 1,500 businesses, piles pressure on France's government six months before a presidential election.