1,314 arrested across France

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police made 1,314 arrests during nationwide protests on October 24, 2026. Fifty-three officers were hurt in the marches.

Daytime marches stayed peaceful

Demonstrations over high cost of living and education system remained largely peaceful during the day. Violence erupted later when ultra-left groups confronted police.

Looting far smaller than last week

Some shops and businesses were looted, but the scale was far smaller than a week earlier when about 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted.

Police confiscated weapons

Police confiscated metal balls, lead pellets, fireworks, slingshots, steel balls, improvised weapons, a katana and airsoft weapons before the demonstrations.

Turnout figures disputed

The French Interior Ministry said about 410,000 people participated in about 298 protests. Union organizers from the General Confederation of Labor put the number at around 800,000.

Paris march moved at last minute

The authorized Paris demonstration was moved from the Bastille to the more remote Porte d'Italie at the last minute. Union representative Murielle Guilbert called it scandalous.

“scandalous”

Evening clashes in Paris

Several thousand radical activists gathered at the rear of the march, including around 500 identified as rioters. Clashes between protesters and police lasted about two hours.

Paris arrests and detentions

Sixty-four people, including six minors, were arrested in Paris. Forty were placed in police custody. Most arrests concerned suspected weapons offenses or participation in violence.

Orleans marches against Le Pen

Thousands marched against a congress held by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party. Le Pen is launching her campaign to succeed Emmanuel Macron as France's president.

Orleans protest numbers disputed

Police put Orleans protest numbers at 11,000, while organizers said 26,000 took part. About 50 organizations called for the protest against Le Pen's nationalist, anti-immigration party.

Clashes in Lyon and Nantes

In Lyon, about 150 protesters tried to block a road and police fired tear gas. In Nantes, thousands broke through police lines to enter the city center.

Far-right activists appear at protests

Nuñez said authorities saw far-right activists in Cannes and Montpellier claiming they were there to protect businesses or seeking confrontations with ultra-left militants. This was the first time authorities witnessed this.

Yellow Vests plan Halloween protests

The Yellow Vests, a loosely organized group that emerged about eight years ago, said they would hold another round of protests on October 31.

Protests spread across Europe

Italian police arrested nine people and detained 371 during protests in eight cities. Five hundred soldiers were deployed to Milan ahead of fresh demonstrations.

Demonstrations continue across continent

Protests took place across Europe on October 24 over pensions, housing, education, anti-war movements and corruption. In Albania, riot police used water cannons. In Spain, retirees marched for pension protection.