France will deploy around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes on Saturday, October 31, as authorities brace for a fresh wave of protests coinciding with Halloween — a day the interior minister has warned carries a “very high risk of public disorder”.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the deployment on Thursday, October 29, matching the number mobilised for last week’s demonstrations and describing the operation as an “exceptional measure”.
“The day of October 31 presents a very high risk of public disorder,” Nuñez told reporters at a news conference, promising an “extremely firm” response to any violence. “We will tolerate no excesses,” he added.
What is planned for Saturday
The Yellow Vest movement and student unions have called for a new day of demonstrations on Saturday, following protests on October 17 and October 24. Labour leaders and students have also urged a nationwide strike on November 5, saying frustration over wages, living costs and public services is spreading beyond the student movement that first mobilised last month.
Nuñez said demonstrations would be allowed, but “not in city centres, where there is a risk of public disorder”. Security measures introduced last week to protect shops and businesses — including armoured vehicles and water cannon — will be strengthened.
The minister pointed in particular to the evening, after mainstream demonstrations have ended. He said authorities had detected social media calls for gatherings from around 8pm in many cities, some under the slogan of a “revolution”, and warned those gatherings would be banned, dispersed and met with arrests. He also warned demonstrators against using Halloween as “a legitimate reason to hide one’s face” to cause disturbances.
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Why authorities are on alert
The deployment follows a month of escalating protest. Demonstrations on October 17 saw large-scale looting, fires and damage to public property, and authorities have since admitted security and intelligence failures ahead of those clashes.
Last Saturday’s marches were largely peaceful, but still saw incidents of street violence. According to the interior ministry, around 410,000 people took part in demonstrations last Saturday, and more than 2,700 people were arrested a week earlier.
What happens next
Prefects across France have been instructed to organise robust security arrangements, including partial bans on demonstrations in city centres where disorder is feared. How Saturday unfolds — and whether the November 5 strike call draws wider support — will determine whether the protest wave grows or fades.
Travellers in France this weekend should expect transport disruption and a heavy police presence in city centres, and check local prefecture notices before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
How many police will be deployed in France on October 31? Around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country.
Why October 31? Protests called by the Yellow Vest movement and student unions coincide with Halloween, and the interior minister says the evening carries a particular risk once mainstream marches end.
Are protests banned? No — demonstrations are permitted, but not in city centres where officials fear disorder, and Halloween evening gatherings called online will be banned and dispersed.
What sparked the protests? Anger over wages, living costs and public services, beginning with a student mobilisation last month and spreading more widely.
Sources
Reuters, “French interior minister to deploy 70,000 police for Halloween protests”, October 29, 2026: https://www.reuters.com/world/french-interior-minister-deploy-70000-police-halloween-protests-2026-10-29/
Al Jazeera, “France braces for ‘very high risk’ of disorder at Halloween protests”, October 29, 2026: https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2026/10/29/france-braces-for-very-high-risk-of-disorder-at-halloween-protests
SCMP, “France on alert as 70,000 police mobilised for Halloween protests”, October 30, 2026: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3372682/france-alert-70000-police-mobilised-halloween-protests
