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70,000 police deployed as demonstrations in France enter third weekend
Early turnout is lower than on the previous two weekends
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Demonstrations are once again taking place across France today as people protest against the cost of living and public services.
The interior ministry has deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide, the same number as last weekend, amid renewed concerns about possible violence and looting during Halloween celebrations.
It also announced that around 15,000 people had taken part in 65 gatherings and actions by midday, compared to 37,000 across 108 actions at the same point last Saturday.
The Paris police prefecture reported that it had already carried out 1,200 checks as authorities prepared for possible disorder later in the evening, following calls on social media.
In Paris, the main union-backed march began at porte de Bagnolet shortly after 14:00, heading towards porte de Charenton and the situation has so far remained calm
Organisers had originally wanted to march between Bastille and Nation, but the Conseil d'État upheld the authorities' decision to move the route away from the city centre.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France Insoumise, joined the Paris demonstration. In a post on X, he expressed support for demands for “decent study conditions and against the high cost of living”, calling on protesters to remain “firm, calm and disciplined”.
J'irai porte de Bagnolet, répondant à l'appel des syndicats de lycéens, d'étudiants, des confédérations syndicales des salariés et des Gilets jaunes. Avec les insoumis, nous soutiendrons les revendications pour des conditions d'études décentes et contre la vie chère. Mais nous voulons faire vivre le droit de manifester pacifiquement au moment où la macronie dérive en mode autoritaire et où l’extrême droite veut placer le pays sous ses menaces d’attentats, comme à Trappes. Nous ferons ainsi la démonstration de notre détermination ferme, tranquille et disciplinée à voir respecter les droits fondamentaux d'un peuple libre.
— Jean-Luc Mélenchon (@JLMelenchon) October 31, 2026
In Limoges, around 3,000 people had gathered by 15:23. The city was among those worst affected during the first weekend of protests on October 17, when its historic town hall was destroyed by fire.
Around 2,000 people also gathered in Pau, while approximately 350 demonstrated in Guéret.
In Lyon, the march reached Place Jean-Macé in the 7th arrondissement peacefully. Trade unions estimated that 17,000 people had taken part, according to Le Parisien.
In Montpellier, several marches were due to converge near Place Albert 1er. This was despite a prefectural ban on demonstrations. A helicopter was seen repeatedly flying over the gathering point.
In Nice, a demonstration was authorised in the city centre, with police supervising the march. In Lille, meanwhile, restrictions were imposed on gatherings in parts of the city centre.
Marseille also faced restrictions on demonstrations in parts of its city centre and around shopping areas, following the looting reported during earlier protests.
Student union rejects government's response
The movement initially grew out of student protests over conditions in schools and universities, before attracting trade unions and yellow vest supporters.
Student union UNEF has strongly criticised the government's handling of the protests, accusing it of creating disorder rather than addressing students' demands.
“Shame on this government. Shame on this power that is relentless,” the student union said.
“We will be out on the streets today and we will win on our demands, wherever we are.”
In its statement, UNEF added: “The union refuses to play the government's dangerous game of disorganisation and chaos.”
So far, the third weekend of protests appears to have been calmer than the previous two. Early reports from Paris and other cities have not indicated violence or looting on the scale seen on October 17, although the authorities remain on alert for possible disorder later in the evening.
The final turnout remains for now uncertain.
Further action is now already planned, with the CGT union calling for a national day of industrial action and demonstrations on November 5.
The union said restrictions and police intervention would not bring the movement to an end, declaring: “No repression, no ban on demonstrations will stop the mobilisation.”
