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Tens of thousands of protesters are expected at demonstrations across France over the cost of living and rising fuel prices.
Over 160 people have been arrested “primarily for carrying weapons or prohibited protective gear”, with police warning that enhanced checks would be in place.
A large police presence was visible in central Paris, especially near landmarks such as the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, with police firing tear gas at protesters who had climbed on monuments.
In Marseille, trash cans have been set alight and clashes are ongoing with police, with president Emmanuel Macron appealing for “calm” and calling on demonstrators to show “respect for people and property”.
A major demonstration is scheduled in Paris for 14:00 local time (13:00 BST); with reports estimating that around 40,000 people could descend upon the city.
The protests began last month at high schools in Paris’ poor northern suburbs, where anger over teacher absences and shabby facilities quickly morphed into a nationwide movement against inequality, weak public spending and falling standards.
Protestors vandalise Marseille’s town hall
Masked protestors broke into Marseille’s town hall on Saturday morning after ramming the doors with security barriers.
“It’s the Revolution, we’re taking the Bastille,” the protestors were heard shouting.
Photos from the aftermath show chairs and tables strewn on the floor, broken glass, a damaged television screen, and the Anarchist ‘A’ symbol drawn on a wall inside the hall.
The mayor said the town hall had been vandalised and that additional police were being sent to the city following talks with the prime minister and interior minister.
(AFP/Getty)
(AFP/Getty)
Harriette Boucher17 October 2026 13:32
Why are protests taking place at petrol stations and oil depots?
As demonstrations explode across France on Saturday, hundreds of people will head to petrol stations, oil depots, and refineries to protest.
The nationwide movement is part of a revolt against growing inequalities, including rising fuel prices and the cost of living.
Yellow Vests, one of the organisations leading today’s protests, said 384 protests will take place at petrol stations in France, 38 at oil depots and five at refineries.
It said: “The gross refining margin has multiplied by 4.4 between the 2025 average and August 2026. It is 8.4 times higher than in May 2017, at the time of Emmanuel Macron’s election.
“Over the same period, the distribution margin of the stations remained stable: 28.1 cents per litre of diesel before the crisis, 26.7 cents between March and May 2026.
“The action takes place in front of the pumps, where the price is displayed, and upstream: in front of the refineries, where the margin has been multiplied, and in front of the oil depots that supply the stations.”
A 19-year-old protestor in Paris name Lola said: “We are fighting because the cost of living is too harsh, because the price of fuel is too high, because high school pupils are being violently attacked and hurt all over the country just for trying to protest and ask for more teachers and decent learning conditions.”
Harriette Boucher17 October 2026 13:23
Thousands of protests planned across the country, map shows
Thousands of protests are planned across France today, a map published by the Yellow Vests, one of the organisations leading today’s protests, has revealed.
According to the group, 1,756 “mobilisations” are taking place on Saturday, which includes 811 demonstrations.
It also includes protests at petrol stations, train stations, refineries, oil depots, and ports.
Paris and Marseille have been the main areas for protests so far this morning.
Map of planned demonstrations (Yellow Vests)
Harriette Boucher17 October 2026 13:14
In pictures: Protestors clash with police in violent demonstrations 
(Getty)
(Reuters)
(Reuters)
Harriette Boucher17 October 2026 13:07
Paris police: ‘We do not back down in the face of rioters’
Paris police have told protestors that they will “not back down” as demonstrations erupt across the capital today,
More than 150 people have been arrested across France, with Paris police firing tear gas at protesters climbing on monuments.
“We do not back down in the face of rioters and those who come to attack the law enforcement forces,” the force wrote on X.
“On Republic, the police are targeted by hostile individuals who have come looking for a fight.
“They face it with courage and professionalism.”
Earlier this morning, police called on protestors to “express their demands calmly and in respect for public order.
“Demonstrating is a right. Disrupting traffic on public roads is not,” the force said.
Harriette Boucher17 October 2026 12:54
Macron appeals for ‘calm’ ahead of protests
Ahead of Saturday’s protests, French president Emmanuel Macron appealed for “calm”.
He said that while he believes in the right to protest, he called on demonstrators to show “respect for people and property”.
Mr Macron is enteringthe final stretch of his presidency ahead of elections in 2027, leaving behind a polarised electorate and a badly fragmented political landscape.
A long struggle to reduce rising public debt has not impressed investors, who are ditching French bonds, driving borrowing costs to their highest levels in more than two decades.
Emmanuel Macron has appealed for ‘calm’ ahead of Saturday’s protests (Reuters)
Holly Evans17 October 2026 12:49
More than 150 people arrested by French police over violent clashes
The French interior ministry has said that 166 arrests had been made across the country, while 140 separate actions involving 33,000 people had been recorded.
“The movement is marked by a very strong mobilisation of far-left elements, whose sole intent is to incite disorder,” the ministry says.
Demonstrations have involved “targeted acts of violence” from “hooded individuals” in areas like Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers, it adds.
Protesters have been accused of looting, attacking police, starting fires and targeting government institutions.
Security forces have responded “swiftly and decisively”, it says, adding: “There is a very high probability that far-left elements will attempt to escalate the situation during this afternoon’s marches.”
Holly Evans17 October 2026 12:45
Protester says they are demonstrating over ‘harsh’ cost of living
Hundreds of other protests were planned across France, with tens of thousands set to participate.
Protesters in hi-vis vests blocked streets, an echo of the unrest that dogged President Emmanuel Macron’s previous term, while in Marseille, trash cans were set alight.
“We are fighting because the cost of living is too harsh, because the price of fuel is too high, because high school pupils are being violently attacked and hurt all over the country just for trying to protest and ask for more teachers and decent learning conditions,” said a 19-year-old protester in Paris who gave her name as Lola.
Holly Evans17 October 2026 12:40
In pictures: Clashes turn violent in Paris 
French riot police walk past burning objects in a street in Paris (Reuters)
A protester lights smoke flares next to a fire during a demonstration to protest against the ‘high cost of living’ (AFP/Getty)
An elderly woman walks amid tear gas smoke past French police (AFP/Getty)
Holly Evans17 October 2026 12:31
Police allowed to use stun grenades despite recent criticism
The police have drawn criticism for their response due to a grisly list of injuries among demonstrators, including one adolescent who had his hand blown off after picking up a stun grenade.
Lecornu said more than 900 police had also been injured.
The internal police watchdog is investigating at least two dozen cases of alleged police violence.
France suspended the use of stun grenades for the student demonstrations, but Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said they could be used on Saturday.
“If there were to be clashes, all types of intermediate weapons can be used,” he told Telematin TV on Friday.
French riot police charge amid clashes with protesters (Reuters)
Holly Evans17 October 2026 12:28