▲ Escalating
410,000 march across France on Saturday as clashes and tear gas hit several cities
On Saturday, the Interior Ministry reported 410,000 demonstrators nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris, while unions claimed 800,000. Clashes broke out in Paris, Lyon, Rennes, Nantes and Bordeaux, and police fired tear gas. About 70,000 security forces were deployed, and 135 people had been arrested by midday. Authorities and residents are now preparing for further protests after last weekend's riots, curfews and an alleged racist mass shooting on the outskirts of Paris.
- Authorities say they are determined to prevent a repeat of last Saturday's looting, burned cars and attacks on public buildings.
- Gatherings were banned and curfews extended, and Macron said only authorised union demonstrations would be allowed; Lyon and Nice banned all protests.
- Thousands of anti-fascist protesters marched in Orléans against Marine Le Pen's National Rally congress.
- France's 10-year bond yield rose above 5% for the first time since 2002, and a Moody's downgrade is widely expected.
Updated 24 Oct 2026, 19:49 UTC · Written by Claude from the reports on this page and on the map. Check the linked sources for full details.