🔴 Live: Interior ministry says some 320,000 people protest across France as unrest flares

Live: Interior ministry says some 320,000 people protest across France as unrest flares Around 320,000 protesters took part in demonstrations across France on Saturday, the interior ministry estimated, while youth unions counted nearly half a million. Tension flared at the end of the marches in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other French cities, with tear gas being fired at some people on the sidelines of the demonstrations. Follow our live blog for all the latest updates. Nearly half a million people protested across France, youth unions say Nearly half a million people demonstrated across France on Saturday, including 200,000 in Paris, said a coalition of youth organisations and unions representing high school and university students. The authorities put the nationwide turnout at 320,000, including 70,000 in the French capital. A week ago officials counted 410,000 protesters across France, including 110,000 in Paris. Turnout for French protests lower than during previous Saturdays, interior ministry says Turnout at French protests against the cost of living stood at 320,000 nationwide, the interior ministry said on Saturday, lower than the 410,000 seen the previous Saturday and 550,000 on October 17, when riots erupted across the country. Tension flared at the end of the marches in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other French cities, with tear gas being fired at some people on the sidelines of the demonstrations. Clashes break out between police and protesters in Paris Clashes erupted between police and some demonstrators in Paris on Saturday as the protest march reached its final destination, with tear gas filling the streets, AFP journalists saw. Dozens of masked people dressed in black used hammers to pry up paving stones and hurl them at police. At least one incendiary device was also thrown at security forces. Police responded with tear gas and several baton charges. "A hard core of several hundred rioters" at the rear of the march was attacking police with projectiles, including a Molotov cocktail, the Paris police prefecture said. Officers were "manoeuvering to restore public order", it added. Authorities said the dispersal of the demonstration was otherwise proceeding without difficulty. Some 320,000 people protested in France Some 320,000 people rallied across France on Saturday, said the interior ministry, while tensions flared in several cities including Marseille and Toulouse. In Paris, some 70,000 people turned up, according to the capital's police. The third day of nationwide protests by trade unions, students and Yellow Vest activists drew a smaller crowd in Paris than the previous weekend, when an estimated 110,000 people took to the streets. Police fire tear gas as thousands march in France French police fired tear gas and clashed with some protesters on Saturday as thousands marched across France against soaring living costs and police violence, with some demonstrators dressed as clowns and witches for Halloween. While the third consecutive weekend of nationwide protests was largely peaceful, tensions erupted in several cities, including the southern port city of Marseille, where demonstrators clashed with police. In Lyon, France's third-largest city, people threw projectiles at police, prompting officers to fire tear gas, according to a journalist at the scene. In the southern city of Toulouse, police used water cannon against an unauthorised protest that drew several thousand people, mostly young demonstrators, some of them in costume. Some 70,000 people protested in Paris according to police 📸 LFI Saint-Denis mayor Bally Bagayoko attends Paris protest © Reuters Gen Z protests reach Germany as thousands join Halloween rallies Thousands of people across Germany joined demonstrations on Saturday, as a youth-led movement inspired by protests elsewhere in Europe took to the streets to demand better education and lower living costs. The German protests organised by the campaign group "Gen Z regelt" — "Gen Z takes charge" in German — are planned in 34 cities including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. The group says it opposes compulsory military service and wants greater investment in education as many young Germans struggle with rising costs. 📸 The Paris march sets off from Porte de Bagnolet © Reuters 📸 Jean-Luc Mélenchon attends Paris protest Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the France Unbowed (LFI) candidate for the 2027 French presidential election participated in the Paris demonstration. © Reuters Some 15,000 demonstrators taking part in protests across France, according to interior ministry Some 15,000 demonstrators were taking part in protests across France, the interior ministry said, adding the situation remained "generally calm". The third weekend of protests across France was unfolding "without any notable incidents", the ministry said. Police made 27 arrests by 2:00pm (1300 GMT) on Saturday, compared with 217 arrests a week ago. - France’s top court bans Halloween protest in the heart of Paris, permits route on outskirts - Halloween masks for malicious intent punishable by €150 euro fine - French student unions call for high school and university blockades Tuesday and Thursday - Some 320,000 people protested in France - Nearly half a million people protested across France, youth unions say 📸 Paris heads into third weekend of protests A person uses a megaphone during a demonstration organised by labour unions as part of nationwide protests called by the "Yellow Vests" movement joined by French high school and university students against the cost of living and rising fuel prices in Paris on October 31, 2026. © Pedro Nunes, Reuters Sabrine Kharbach, spokesperson for the Union Etudiante, Ryad Ran, president of the Union Syndicale Lyceenne, and Suzanne Nijdam, president of the Federation of General Student Association take part in a demonstration organised by labour unions as part of nationwide protests called by the "Yellow Vests" movement joined by French high school and university students against the cost of living and rising fuel prices in Paris on October 31, 2026.© Abdul Saboor, Reuters A man wears an outfit in the colours of the French flag on the day of a demonstration organised by trade unions as part of nationwide protests called by the "Yellow Vests" movement joined by French high school and university students against the cost of living and rising fuel prices, in Paris on October 31, 2026. © Pedro Nunes, Reuters French student unions call for high school and university blockades Tuesday and Thursday Two French student unions called on students to blockade high schools and universities on Tuesday and Thursday, demanding that the government reform the education system and improve learning conditions. "Starting this Tuesday, we will blockade our universities and high schools, and we will do so again on Thursday before joining the demonstration on November 5 called by workers and trade unions," Sabrine Kharbach, spokesperson for the Union etudiante, told reporters at a protest march in Paris. France's Nuñez warns of high risk during protests France is bracing for a third consecutive weekend of protests, with around 70,000 security personnel deployed to prevent a repeat of the violence seen on October 17. The demonstrations come six months ahead of presidential elections, amid a tense political climate and growing support for the far right. Authorities have restricted marches in several cities, while Paris police have only authorised a demonstration on the capital's outskirts. Curfews have also been imposed in parts of Paris as officials seek to prevent further unrest. Watch more below ⬇️ Third weekend of protests in France France is preparing for a third weekend of protests, with 70,000 security personnel deployed to prevent a repeat of the violence seen on October 17. Shops have boarded up their premises as authorities warn of further clashes, with Halloween adding to concerns over masked demonstrators. Emerald Maxwell reports from Paris ⬇️ Paris metro and suburban stations near key buildings and public squares closed Transportation authorities have announced several metro and suburban station closures in the Paris metropolitan area due to the protests with more than 40 stations affected. Stations near iconic spots in the French capital, such as the Champs-Élysées, the Élysée presidential palace, and government buildings such as the National Assembly and ministry headquarters are closed on lines 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 14. Service has suspended on Line 6 between Kléber and Charles de Gaulle-Étoile and on Line 11 between Châtelet and Hôtel de Ville. Tram lines are also affected: Line T3A is suspended between Stade Charléty and Porte de Vincennes, while Line T3B will not be operating between Porte des Lilas and Porte de Vincennes. A night-time curfew will be imposed in the République and Chatelet-Les Halles neighbourhoods of Paris from 11pm to 6am on Saturday and Sunday. Act III: French interior minister fears disorder after dark on Halloween Saturday is set to see another day of nationwide demonstrations over the cost of living and conditions in schools. Dubbed “Act Three”, the protests bring together Yellow Vest activists and student demonstrators. But France’s highest administrative court has just upheld a ban on the planned route of the Paris march, forcing protesters to remain on the eastern outskirts of the capital. Authorities are deploying 70,000 security personnel and imposing curfews in some areas, repeating many of the measures seen last weekend. The interior minister has also issued a Halloween-themed warning: covering your face at a demonstration remains illegal. Ophelie Jacobson reports ⬇️ Halloween masks for malicious intent punishable by €150 euro fine French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has warned that using Halloween masks for malicious intent on Saturday is an offence punishable by €150 euro fine “Using Halloween night as an excuse will not be a legitimate reason to cover one’s face in public spaces” with the intent to “disrupt public order,” said Nuñez. Agathe Foucault, spokesperson for the National Police, noted that officers will need to “exercise discretion” to distinguish potentially violent protesters from ordinary passersby. She stressed that children dressed in Halloween costumes will not be considered to have malicious intent. Authorised protests in other major French cities Protests have been authorised in other major French cities In Marseille, protests are permitted, provided they are registered in advance. Many “unauthorised” gatherings announced on social media are therefore prohibited, according to a police order. Curfews for minors have also been imposed from 6pm to 5am through Monday. In Bordeaux, the demonstration between Place de la Bourse and Place de la Victoire has been authorised by the prefecture, unlike last week. City authorities have said the route is “too close to downtown.” In Lyon, the procession is authorised to march through the centre of the city. (FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters) Keywords for this article