A participant in a yellow vest holds a national flag ahead of a demonstration against the “high cost of living” at Place de la République in Paris on October 17, 2026. It is part of a nationwide mobilization call to bring together a variety of groups to express their anger, including former “yellow vests”, middle school and university students, climate change activists and even farmers. (Photo by Guillaume Saligot/AFP via Getty Images)
Guillaume Saligo | AFP | Getty Images
Demonstrations began across France on Saturday in what was expected to be a massive nationwide protest against high prices and the fraying of a model meant to provide basic opportunities and social security.
The protests began last month at a high school in a poor suburb north of Paris, and anger over teacher absenteeism and poor facilities quickly turned into a nationwide movement against inequality, weak public spending and declining standards.
A heavy police presence was seen in central Paris, particularly near landmarks such as the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, which were excluded from the two official demonstration routes.
Hundreds of other protests were planned across France, with tens of thousands of people expected to take part. Demonstrators in hi-vis vests blocked roads and trash cans were set on fire in Marseille in the aftermath of the violence that lasted President Emmanuel Macron’s first term.
“We are fighting because the cost of living is too hard, fuel prices are too high, and high school students are being violently attacked and harmed all over the country just for protesting and demanding more teachers and decent learning conditions,” said a 19-year-old Parisian protester who gave her name as Laura.
Macron is entering the final stages of his presidential term, leaving behind a polarized electorate and a deeply divided political landscape. Long-running efforts to reduce rising public debt have not impressed investors who are ditching French government bonds, with borrowing costs reaching their highest level in more than 20 years.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecorne said Thursday that authorities were concerned about disruption during the protests. The government has accused the far-left party France Enboud of inciting the protests, an accusation the government denies.
High levels of violence in French student protests
The police response has drawn criticism after a series of horrific injuries among protesters, including a young man who had his hand blown off after picking up a stun grenade. Lecorne said more than 900 police officers were also injured.
Internal police watchdogs are investigating at least 20 allegations of police violence. France has suspended the use of stun grenades against student protests, but Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said they could be used on Saturday.
“In case of a conflict, all kinds of intermediate weapons can be used,” he told Telematin TV on Friday.
Calling out participants in past protests on social media appeared to be working, suggesting the protests could expand significantly.
The yellow vest movement began in 2018 as a protest against diesel tax and has since expanded into an outpouring of anger over high living costs and income inequality. But things have been mostly calm since President Macron agreed to cut taxes worth billions of euros.
Yannick Maille, a teacher from La Clèche in western France, joined the Yellow Vests in 2018 and is still involved in the movement. He said there were several meeting points for demonstrators nearby on Saturday, and that unions were also inviting them to attend.
