French students blocked dozens of high schools and universities on Tuesday, 3 Nov, to pressure the government over education reforms. Authorities counted 48 of the country's 3,700 high schools blocked, including in Paris, Rennes, Toulouse and Lyon, while the student union USL put the figure at 500 establishments. Officials said 51 of 184 higher education institutions were disrupted. Trade unions have called a nationwide strike for Thursday. The protests follow a wider movement against rising prices and weak public services that has drawn hundreds of thousands onto the streets over three weekends.
Marseille
3 stories since 25 October 2026, newest first
3 November 2026
29 October 2026
Protests over living costs, fuel prices and inflation took place across France on Saturday 31 Oct, the third weekend of demonstrations. French authorities estimate about 320,000 people joined rallies in roughly 150 locations, while youth organisations put the figure near 500,000. The interior ministry reports 565 arrests nationwide. Around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed, and Paris marches were rerouted away from the centre to protect shops, government buildings and tourist areas. Clashes with projectiles and tear gas were reported in Paris, Lyon and Toulouse, and several shops were looted in Frankfurt.
25 October 2026
The French government reports 1,314 arrests during Saturday's protests, while other outlets cite more than 1,000 detainees. Police and elite security units were deployed across the country, and authorities used tear gas and water cannons after nightfall in several cities.