Live: France braces for nationwide strikes in fresh test for Macron’s policies

05/11/2026 - 13:40

Paris orchestra sets the beat for protesters at Place de la République

A Paris orchestra performed for protesters gathered at Place de la République before the rally proceeded towards Place de la Nation in eastern Paris, reports FRANCE 24's Erika Olavarria.

(Photo: Erika Olavarria, France 24)

(Photo: Erika Olavarria, France 24)

05/11/2026 - 13:29

More than 250,000 join protests in 73 French cities, union says

More than 250,000 protesters across 73 French cities have participated in strikes by lunchtime, said France's major union CGT.

CGT head Sophie Binet warned the government that only a “response” to their demands would bring the mobilisation to an end.

“The message is, ‘Nothing will stop us; the only thing that will end the mobilization is a response to our demands,’” Binet told the press before the Paris march set off. “The longer you wait, the higher the cost will be,” she warned the government.

05/11/2026 - 13:04

Police clash with protesters in French city of Lyon

French riot police fired tear gas and charged a group of protesters in the French city of Lyon on Thursday as ​demonstrations took place ‌across the country in a renewed challenge to President Emmanuel Macron after weeks of unrest.

Some of ⁠the protesters were seen shouting anti-police slogans and some were dressed all in black, with face coverings.

The nationwide protests and a strike by public workers, called by trade unions ‌including the left-wing CGT and backed by student groups, come after demonstrations over living costs, public services and ⁠education triggered the worst civil unrest France has seen in years.

A high school near ‌the city of Toulouse in the southwest was set on fire on Thursday morning, BFM TV reported.

While the ‌demonstrations in Lyon and other cities including Marseille and Nantes began in the morning, the main protest in Paris is only scheduled to start at 2pm (1300 GMT), from Place ​de la République.

05/11/2026 - 12:38

Eiffel Tower says it has closed due to nationwide strikes

The Eiffel Tower was closed to the public Thursday as a nationwide strike disrupted a range of services including schools and trains in France, the monument's official website said.

05/11/2026 - 12:00

Students blockade schools, universities as France braces for mass rallies

Students blockaded dozens of high schools and universities across France on Tuesday to maintain pressure on the government over education reforms, as trade unions prepared for a nationwide strike.

The school protests have fuelled a broader movement against soaring prices and inadequate public services, which has drawn hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets over the past three weekends. FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali reports from a high school blockaded by students in Aubervilliers, near Paris.

05/11/2026 - 10:41

Firefighters bring fire in Aubervilliers under control by firefighters

Firefighters have brought a fire in Aubervilliers, a suburb northeast of Paris, under control, says FRANCE 24's Ciara Boulman.

05/11/2026 - 10:06

Trash can fire under control in front of the Le Corbusier high school in Aubervilliers

Reporting from Aubervilliers, a suburb northeast of Paris, FRANCE 24's Pauline Godart said a trash can fire outside the Le Corbusier high school has been put out.

"The situation is calm for the moment, despite some trash cans having been set on fire," reports Pauline Godart. "Firefighters arrived to put out the blaze. A significant number of police officers have been deployed."

05/11/2026 - 09:14

Around 17% of public primary school teachers expected to strike, ministry says

The French education ministry has said 17.5% of public primary school teachers are expected to strike today.

Students have been protesting over conditions in ​schools and growing uncertainty over their future.

"We're trying to keep mobilising as much as possible. Some people aren't doing so because they're afraid. A lot of people are afraid of police violence," said Irma de Banville, a 19-year-old student ​in Paris, told Reuters.

The French government has defended police tactics while saying any abuses would be investigated.

05/11/2026 - 07:52

Paris court approves alternate protest route proposed by police

A Paris court late Wednesday approved an alternative protest route proposed by the police prefecture between Place de la République and Place de la Nation, which had been contested by strike organisers.

The inter-union coalition expects between 500,000 to 700,000 people to join strikes outside Paris and 40,000 to 80,000 people in the capital.

Following demonstrations marred by violence and clashes with law enforcement — particularly on October 17 — today's nationwide strikes issues include protests over alleged infringements of the freedom to demonstrate. Organisations such as the Magistrates’ Union (SM), the French Lawyers’ Union (SAF), and the Human Rights League (LDH), have denounced an “authoritarian shift” and filed a complaint at France's top court.

05/11/2026 - 07:24

05/11/2026 - 06:51

Around 70,000 police deployed nationwide

French authorities have sought to lower tensions after riots and looting on October 17 ⁠caught security forces off guard, leaving damaged shops and public buildings across the country and fuelling criticism of Macron's handling of the crisis.

"We are extremely vigilant because it is out of the question to relive October ​17," government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told a press conference after Wednesday's cabinet meeting.

Around 70,000 police have been deployed nationwide with the domestic intelligence service expecting between 500,000 and 700,000 people to join demonstrations outside Paris, it said.

Macron convened a defence and security ​meeting on Wednesday ahead of the protests, underlining how a movement that began with student ​anger over deteriorating school conditions and concerns about opportunities for young people has evolved into a broader challenge to his government.

05/11/2026 - 06:48

France braces for nationwide strikes in fresh test for Macron

Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to march through French cities and public workers to strike, in a fresh test for President Emmanuel Macron after weeks of ​unrest that have rattled ‌his government and dominated the agenda five months ahead of a presidential election.

The mobilisation, called ⁠by trade unions including the left-wing CGT and backed by student groups, comes after demonstrations over living costs, public services and education triggered the worst civil unrest France ‌has seen in years.