French farmer protests: action expected around Lyon and in Poitiers but quieter elsewhere
Some unions continue to demonstrate despite ‘emergency law’ proposal
Protests have been ongoing for weeks, but appear to be dropping in intensity. Photo shows protest action outside Tulle (Corrèze) on January 12, 2026
Hugo Martin / Alamy Stock Photo
French farmer protests appear to be losing momentum across the country, but some blockades and disruptions persist today (January 15) particularly in the west of the country and around Lyon.
A new proposed ‘emergency law’ that has gained the support of the FNSEA – France’s largest union in the sector – means that the group is now focusing its efforts on a planned January 20 protest outside Strasbourg’s EU parliament, and is unlikely to engage in domestic disruptions.
In addition, law enforcement forcefully lifted a renewed blockade of the A64 near Toulouse yesterday, as well as preventing a convoy of tractors from entering the city to block traffic.
However, local branches of unions including the Coordination rurale, Confédération Paysanne, and some of the Jeunes Agriculteurs (an FNSEA youth branch) continue to cause disruption.
Dozens of farmers from the Confédération Paysanne were arrested after protesting outside the Agriculture Ministry yesterday, and members criticised the FNSEA for accepting the government’s ‘insufficient’ emergency law.
A convoy of tractors from the FNSEA had left the city earlier the day, following a late-night meeting with the ministry on increased funding for struggling farmers.
Where is protest action still taking place?
Lyon (Rhône) is a major site for action today, with farmers from across the east of the country being mobilised to blockade the city.
Tractors will begin to enter the city from around 10:30 onwards according to local media. It is likely that law enforcement will attempt to prevent disruption as they did in Toulouse yesterday.
Farmers are also planning a demonstration in Poitiers (Vienne) this evening at 18:00, which could cause traffic issues for travellers across the department.
While there are no major protests scheduled in Paris, a convoy of around 30 tractors in the nearby Val d'Oise department is planning to blockade the D14, protesting cash flow issues alongside the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement and the treatment of cattleherds impacted by lumpy skin disease.
You can use our article here to track blockades across the country.
While there is little disruption on motorways, smaller roads may be blocked by local branches.
It can be hard to predict where disruption will take place, as farmer action is sporadic with local branches acting independently of national unions, and farmers do not always give advance notice of demonstrations or blockades.
