Hundreds of thousands of people marched across France on Saturday, October 31, in a third consecutive weekend of nationwide protests against the rising cost of living and police violence, as police clashed with demonstrators in Paris and other cities and student unions announced fresh school and university blockades for next week.
France’s Interior Ministry put nationwide turnout at around 320,000 people, including 70,000 in Paris. Organisers — a coalition of youth organisations and unions — put the total at nearly half a million, including 200,000 in the capital. The gap between the official and organiser counts is normal for large French demonstrations, and both figures are reported here as attributed estimates, not as a single confirmed total.
Clashes in Paris as 70,000 police deploy
Authorities deployed around 70,000 police officers and gendarmes nationwide for the day (70,000 police deployment preview), which officials had described as high risk ahead of Halloween. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez had warned of a “very high risk of public disorder,” citing social media calls for a “night of darkness” under cover of Halloween.
The demonstrations were largely peaceful, but tensions erupted later on Saturday in several cities. In Paris, police used tear gas to disperse protesters who refused to leave the area around Porte de Charenton, where the protest march ended. More than 420 people were arrested across the country on Saturday, according to reports of Interior Ministry figures.
Some demonstrators marched in Halloween costumes — clowns and witches among them — as the protests coincided with Halloween celebrations. Night curfews were in place in Paris’s République and Châtelet-Les Halles districts (minors curfew) from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
What the protesters are demanding
The movement brings together Yellow Vest activists, trade unions, and high school and university students. It began with student protests over deteriorating learning conditions and has broadened into opposition to the rising cost of living, inequality, and police violence.
“We say no to the cost of living, no to the far right, yes to high school students’ demands, yes to giving citizens a voice,” Camille Guerin, a 31-year-old demonstrator in the western city of Nantes, told reporters.
Saturday was the third nationwide day of social action in three weeks. A week earlier, officials counted 410,000 protesters across France, including 110,000 in Paris, with more than 1,300 arrests and around 50 people injured. The demonstrations come less than six months before France’s presidential elections, with far-right leader Marine Le Pen topping opinion polls.
Student unions announce new blockades
The freshest development from Saturday is the escalation plan announced by student unions. Sabrine Kharbach, spokeswoman for the Union Etudiante (Student Union), said students would blockade high schools and universities starting Tuesday, November 3, and again on Thursday, November 5, before joining a demonstration on November 5 called by workers and trade unions.
“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,” Kharbach said.
Manon Moret, secretary-general of the National Union of French Students (UNEF), said the government has yet to provide a concrete response to young people’s demands. Student protesters also complained that police did not authorise a march through the centre of Paris on Saturday.
What happens next
The announced blockades on November 3 and 5, followed by the November 5 workers’ demonstration, will test whether the movement can sustain its momentum into a fourth week. Authorities have previously warned about attempts to block the Paris ring road or target government buildings, and the scale of any disruption next week — and the police response — will show whether Saturday’s clashes were an exception or a turning point.
What remains uncertain is whether the government will offer concessions on living costs or education conditions before the November 5 mobilisation. For now, the student unions’ message is that the protests will continue until their demands are answered.
Frequently asked questions
How many people protested in France on October 31?
Authorities said around 320,000 people demonstrated nationwide, including 70,000 in Paris. Organisers said nearly half a million took part, including 200,000 in Paris. Both figures are attributed estimates.
How many people were arrested?
More than 420 people were arrested across France on Saturday, according to reports of Interior Ministry figures.
When are the next student blockades planned?
Student unions announced blockades of high schools and universities on Tuesday, November 3, and Thursday, November 5, ahead of a workers’ demonstration on November 5.
Why are people protesting in France?
The protests focus on the rising cost of living, inequality, deteriorating learning conditions, and police violence, bringing together students, trade unions, and Yellow Vest activists.
Sources
- Al Arabiya — Clashes break out as hundreds of thousands protest in France (October 31, 2026)
- Yeni Şafak — French students to renew school, university blockades Tuesday (October 31, 2026)
- Sweden Herald — Clashes erupt at protests across France as more than 400 are arrested (October 31, 2026)
- Khaleej Times — Spider-Man, Frankenstein spotted as thousands turn up for France protests on Halloween (October 31, 2026)
