Riot police detain a protester during a demonstration demanding higher wages and supporting high school protest movement, in Lyon, France, Thursday, November 5
Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published November 5, 2026
PARIS – French riot police fired tear gas and charged a group of protesters in Lyon on Thursday as demonstrations took place across the country, with some protesters masked and dressed in black. The protests came as unions held a strike alongside student-led demonstrations that have continued for weeks.
The strike was called by unions including the CGT and backed by student groups, following weeks of demonstrations over living costs, public services and education. Unions are pressing for higher pay, including a 10% rise in the minimum wage sought by the CGT.
The Interior Ministry said a fire broke out on the grounds of a school near Toulouse after incendiary devices were thrown. Italian outlet Il Sole 24 Ore reported that people broke into the building and set off fireworks from inside, and that part of it burned. The ministry also listed projectiles thrown at police in Rennes, Pau and Orléans. Scuffles were also reported in Nantes.
Turnout estimates varied. At midday, the Interior Ministry counted about 270,000 people at nearly 200 demonstrations outside Paris. Il Sole 24 Ore, citing authorities, reported between 500,000 and 700,000 nationwide, including about 80,000 in Paris. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez deployed 70,000 police and gendarmes and promised an “extremely firm response” to any violence.
The Education Ministry said just over 15% of teaching staff joined the strike, the Eiffel Tower was closed, and the strike reduced nuclear power output early in the day.
The government has responded with some concessions. Education officials announced caps on class sizes from 2027, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu set aside about $4.4 billion for local authorities to fund school renovations. Lecornu called protesters’ concerns “legitimate.”
The unrest began in early October. Saturday, Oct. 17 brought clashes, arson and looting that left one rioter dead, 1,200 people arrested and 150 police officers injured. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the “shocking” scenes. The Washington Post has described him as an unpopular, outgoing president.
