Rallies decrying rising living costs and calling for greater education spending have been sweeping the country for weeks

French riot police have fired tear gas and clashed with crowds of protesters as tens of thousands took to the streets of cities across the country to rally against the cost-of-living crisis. Students also joined Saturday’s nationwide protests, calling for education reform, better classroom facilities and greater access to resources.

The demonstrations have grown from student-led protests that began last month at a high school in Creteil, near Paris, over teacher shortages and deteriorating school facilities. The movement has since broadened to reflect wider discontent over inequality and the cost of living, coinciding with labor union rallies against the government’s proposed 2027 budget and its deficit reduction measures.

On Saturday, violent clashes were reported in Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers. The French Interior Ministry says there has been an “escalation in violence” and has confirmed 272 arrests nationwide.

Footage from Paris showed police confronting protesters, while masked demonstrators threw objects and fireworks.

In Marseille, protesters broke into city hall, smashing open the door and spray-painting the walls, according to local newspaper La Provence. Fires were also reported in several cities, including at a tourist office in Lyon.

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged demonstrators to remain calm and respect people and property, while authorities have blamed violent incidents on what they describe as ultra-left groups.

Police tactics have also drawn scrutiny following reports of serious injuries among young protesters.

À la mairie du 7e arrondissement de Lyon, deux mariés font un clapping avec les manifestants, chaudement applaudis https://t.co/mWVjkHrnqF

— Lyon Mag (@lyonmag) October 17, 2026

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has warned that security forces could use intermediate weapons, including stun grenades, if violence erupts during Saturday’s demonstrations.

Marseille : plusieurs dizaines de manifestants ont pénétré brièvement samedi dans le hall de la mairie, sur le vieux port, après avoir enfoncé la porte en criant “c’est la Révolution, on prend la Bastille”. Ils ont été dispersés par des forces de l’ordre ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/QMtEYxYZTK

— Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) October 17, 2026

The protests echo the 2018 Yellow Vest movement, mounting further pressure on Macron as high public debt pushes French borrowing costs to 20-year highs.

🔴 🇫🇷 FRANCE

Scènes de chaos à Marseille. La situation est hors de contrôle. La police est débordée. À suivre.⁰#Marseille #17octobre pic.twitter.com/zTInewabU1

— Geocrises FR (@geocrises) October 17, 2026